New York Times bestselling author Chris Roberson (Cinderella: From Fabletown with Love, iZombie, Stan Lee's Starborn) write the prequel to legendary sci-fi author Philip K. Disk's Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?," this inspiration for Blade Runner and one of the greatest science fiction novels ever published!
Who hunted androids before Rick Deckard? Just two men: Malcolm Reed, the only "special" human with the ability to discern man from machine, and Charlie Victor, who, because of his past, is the perfect man for the job... Or is he? Journey through a world returning from the brink of destruction as Malcolm and Charlie hunt down six rogue androids that need to be 'retired.'"
I think that I'm developing a taste for graphic novels. I'm slowly getting used to reading them. You'd think they'd be easier to read because there are pictures whereas a traditional novel is a wall of text, but it's actually very different. You need to take in the dialogue and the visuals all at the same time. In this way, it's kind of like reading a movie.
I haven't read Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? just yet (although I currently have it in my possession, ready to read as soon as Pride and Prejudice stops kicking my butt). But this is the prequel to that series. This book and the next prequel book do a wonderful job of setting up the world of Blade Runner/Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? which is a dark and frankly frightening place.
In my World Englishes topics class, we've been talking about the caste system in India (since it is still fairly prevalent outside of the big cities) and this world sort of reminds me of that. It's different in that the androids aren't forbidden from touching sacred works and they have good jobs, but I can't help but think of the fact that they resemble Untouchables or Dalits because they are treated as outsiders and if they do something they're not supposed to do (such as rebel, as they are doing in the two prequel books) they are killed or "retired." Perhaps this connection is a stretch...
This particular graphic novel is mainly character driven. You're compelled to figure out what's going on and how the characters fit into this situation, but as far as plot, there isn't a lot that happens. Regardless, this was still a very interesting read. It made me want to pick up the second book right away, which I did (but that's for another review).
This book is good if you're interested in reading Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? because it sets you up quite nicely and draws you into this dark and devastating world. I think this would also make a great book for a philosophy course as it asks the question, "What does it mean to be human?"
I give Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?: Dust to Dust, Book 1:
--Jude
Oh my goodness, I LOVE that title. I told my husband the name, and he rattled off the first author's name! Small world.
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