PHILIP K. DICK – Galactic Pot-Healer. Berkley X1705, paperback original; 1st printing, June 1969. Cover art: Sandy Kossin. Reprinted a number of times.

   Joe Farnwright, pot-healer, living a spider’s existence in a garish, nightmarish world on Earth, afraid of failure, lacking in self-knowledge, is hired by Glimmung, of Plawman’s Planet, to help in the raiding of the ancient cathedral Holdscalla.

   Glimmung corresponds to Faust, never satisfied, willing to sacrifice himself to learn the extent of his abilities. Glimmung also contends with the continuing Book of the Kalneds, which tells of the past, the present, and of the future. The book says he will fail. (See page 102 for a discussion of probability.)

   Much wit, much for discussion, but the book does not succeed as a story. The plot is overblown, with too many wild concepts to be taken completely seriously, The last line is a winner.

Rating: ****