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Flow My Tears, The Policeman Said (S.F. Masterworks) by: Philip K. Dick

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Rating: - I knew Jason Taverner, and for that I thank Philip K. Dick

I scrolled down the page looking at the many Philip K. Dick novels I could buy. I had heard of Dick because of "Do Androids Dream Of Electric Sheep?". I thought I should try this, something new. But - rather lamely - I was attracted to the name of this novel; Flow My Tears, The Policeman Said.
Being my first Dick novel I didn't know what to expect, but what I did get was much more than an amusing title. I got a rather good book. I was astounded by its description, - I hadn't encountered such brilliance since "The Green Mile" - weirdness, and positively brilliant introduction to the science fiction genre.
A must read, certainly a classic of its genre.

Rating: - "The church of my choice is the free, open world"

I wouldn't recommend this as a starting point for anybody new to this writer's output, but for any fan of Dick's work who is not familiar with it, I'd advise them to check it out. An intriguing mix of paranoid nightmare and black, black comedy it explores what happens when a celebrity well established within his profession appears to lose his identity and his grip on reality. He becomes a fugitive, and the women he meets while on the run just seem to make his predicament even worse. When the police come for him they knock on the door of the woman sheltering him. "It's probably the man from upstairs," she says,
"He borrows things. Weird things. Like two-fifths of an onion." Unexpected comments like this make the book a joy to read, the constant surprises in the way that the characters respond to each other is refreshing. On the surface the story appears to be relentlessly grim, but in the fine details there is plenty to amuse, like the juke-box in the bar playing Louis Panda's 'The Memory of Your Nose'.
The epilogue doesn't really work for me but I suspect that it was put there as a joke. Overall well worthy of inclusion amongst Dick's best work.

Rating: - Strangely familiar and yet totally original

After the first couple of chapters of this, I had an overwhelming sense of familiarity with the story line. There were shades of Iain Banks "The Bridge", probably being the foremost. However, as usual with PKD, things were just not quite what they appeared to be.
Once more I found myself drawn into PKD's dark wit and cynicism. A police-state where celebrities are seemingly exempt, and the results of genetically manipulating humans are walking around.
The reason this did not rate the full 5 stars was really to do with the explanation of why Jason Taverner's life was turned upside-down for two days. This was not explored fully enough for my tastes, but that's the only criticism I can level at this.

Rating: - One of Phil's more average books

This one's OK, but Mr Dick wrote some much better novels. I'd recommend Bladerunner as the best place to start and something like The Three Stigmata of Palmer Eldritch as the one to read next.
I've read this a few times over the years and it did improve, but my lasting impression was that this is rather a miserable little story and for me, the characters weren't very believable.
The plot seemed less original than most; man wakes up one day and nobody knows him. It's a bit close to all those second rate films where man wakes up with amnesia, all be it with the usual Dickian twists.

Rating: - One of the best novels of the 20th Century...

The above line is not just hyperbole! Often overlooked in favour of his more famous works such as "Bladerunner" or "Man in The High Castle", "Flow My Tears...." is, in my opinion Dick's finest novel. It has all the usual reality twists you expect with Dick, but is also one of the truest and most honest explorations of Love you will ever see, whether it be filial, sexual or metaphysical. A truly brilliant novel.

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