The Man Who Japed - Philip K. Dick Book Review

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Review Summaries

"In the year 2114, Allen Purcell heads his own private research agency in Newer York. Ever since the late 20th century revolution headed by Major Jules Streiter, society has been run by the principles of "Morec" (Moral Reclamation). Most of Allen's work supports Telemedia, the government agency that controls all media communications, according to Morec. When the director of Telemedia announces his retirement, Allen is tapped as the replacement, but Allen has discovered gaps in his memory and evidence that he has been "japing" (which in his industry's terms means parodying, or making fun of a stale theme) some of the pillars of his society, such as Streiter and Telemedia itself. He may be turning into a "noose" (neuro-psychiatric case), so he seeks treatment while trying to keep it a secret from his new bosses. This is one of Dick's simpler but better early novels, first published in 1956."
David Loftus, Resident Philip K. Dick Scholar

"Allen Purcell is comfortably placed in a strict, humourless, bland, extremely moralistic society. Everything seems to be going his way; a long-term lease, the head of a successful company, a promotion in the works. Deep in his subconcious, however, a sense of humour is struggling to break free. "
Robert Hadley, Resident Philip K. Dick Scholar

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Overall Review

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Ratings are on a 1-10 scale (Low to High)
Plot

Composition of Book
planning/preparing, gather info, debate puzzles/motives - 40%
Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 30%
Descript. of society, phenomena (tech), places - 30%

Tone of book - cynical or dry-wit
FANTASY or SCIENCE FICTION? - science fiction story
Repressive society story Yes
Repressive because: - strict rationing of freedoms/goods
Is this an adult or child's book? - Adult or Young Adult Book

Main Character
Identity: - Male
Profession/status: - business executive
Age: - 20's-30's
Is this an ordinary person caught up in events? Yes
How sensitive is this character? - sensitive to others' feelings - middling sensitive to others' feelings
Sense of humor - Cynical sense of humor
Intelligence - Smarter than most other characters
Physique - average physique

Main Adversary
Identity: - society
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in: - throughout most of the book.
How sensitive is this character? - hard edged
Intelligence - Average intelligence

Setting
Terrain - Domed/Underground City
Earth setting: - medium future 22-24th century
A substantial portion of this book takes place on a non-Earth planetary body: - humans in a contemporary society
Takes place on Earth? Yes
Planet outside solar system? Yes

Style
Person? - mostly 3rd
Accounts of torture and death? - generic/vague references to death/punishment
scientific jargon? (SF only) - none/very little science jargon needed
Sex in book? Yes
What kind of sex: - vague references only - descript of kissing
How much dialogue? - significantly more dialog than descript - significantly more descript than dialog

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Note: the views expressed here are only those of the reviewer(s).

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