Martian Time-Slip: 08/07/06

I finished another excellent Philip K. Dick novel last night, Martian Time-Slip. I found the description of the colony on Mars similar enough to how it is depicted in Futurama that I have to wonder if anyone on the show had read the book. It was not their similarities that made me like the book; it was the writing and the character development. Before the story unfolds, the characters and setting are introduced through a series of vignettes that at first appear to have nothing to do with each other. It is only when all these narrative threads finally come together that the story begins in earnest.

The story itself is rather short. It involves some land speculation that might lead to a land bust in the far future and the ultimate collapse of the colony. These glimpses of the future are brought forward by two characters: Jack and Manfred. Jack as a functioning schizophrenic has the mindset to communicate with Manfred, an autistic boy who rarely speaks and when he does, it's usually to say "gubble gubble."

Here is my BookCrossing review:

The first half of the book brings the dramatis personae together from their separate places in Martian society. The second half sees what will unfold when their talents are put together. At the center of everything is FDR Mountain, aka Dirty Knobby, the native Martians known as Bleekmen, and a severly autistic boy who may or may not be able to see the future.

I really don't want to write more and risk spoiling the story. Just go get a copy and read it.

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