Reality? What reality?

"Between the regression of time and the instability of the world of the dead, Ubik is the final trap realities. In this cult novel that brings together all the themes SF Philip K. Dick painted a portrait of a dying humanity, dominated by technology. Joe Chip, specialized in tracking down heroes telepaths, paranoia and doubt are the only certainties ... "

Ubik; for some it is THE Philip K. Dick novel; positioned high on the podium for others with Master of the High castle or even the god came Centauri. And then of course, there Blade Runner, although in fact it is a new, not a novel, developed in film version by Ridley Scott. Philip K. Dick will die before the release of this cult film that was going to spend it as best SF writer and especially alternate history.

But what Ubik ... If you find the answer, contact me ... Philip K. Dick plays with his favorite themes in the novel, including the more significant of his work: what reality? What is the perception of reality? And the only thing that is true is the phrase of Descartes: cogito ergo sum. Yes, but in what form asks the author? Merely thinking about evidence of life? And what do you live? Our reality or someone else? SF and entered the philosophy ... Ubik, the novel casts doubt on everything was already foreshadowed in an earlier novel The eye in the sky written in 1957 (the Ubik was in 1966). Paranoia reigned there already, the author of nightmare, treat the player ...

But what is Ubik? !!! As I said, I do not know. Setting the scene first. Philip K. Dick imagined this story in a future that we exceeded today, but that does not matter, this does not affect the matter. In a world governed solely by money (everything is paid, even open a door or shower), where the political class seems to have been replaced by businessmen, a new phase of humanity appeared, the of individuals with psychic powers. But three clans are present on one side of the Ray Hollis offering the services of its psychic mutants to anticipate the future (the famous "Pre- Cogs" Minority Report) and make industrial espionage; that of Glen Runciter which also offers her services teams "psi" that can counteract the action of those of Ray Hollis. And finally the clan Mick Staton, industrial magnate but also uses its funds to establish a colony on the moon. This is in response to a proposal of this last Runciter Glen and his team will find themselves to be the target of an attack on the Moon. Ship Joe, a member of this team tries to take over from Runciter, died in the explosion, to get everyone back on Earth. But strange phenomena begin to appear, as if everything touched Joe Chip was old, worn, past and about to dissolve. And then there was the presence of Pat, a "ISIP" with a hitherto unknown power, that of changing the course of the past and thus the future. But is it really and who does she work? Joe will try to understand what happens when these forces are declining and that these teammates die in agony.

OK? Okay, but we still do not know what Ubik and the link with this story ... is Ubik, Ubik is everywhere, he was there before the sun is, and will always be ...

This novel is considered one of the 100 best English-language novels by Time Magazine. The Philip K. Dick's writing style was never outstanding, it is even quite basic, but the convolutions of his stories immerse you in the near abyss of reflection of mirrors ... Unlike Blade Runner, Total Recall, Minority Report and Paycheck, Ubik has still not been made into a movie; Michel Gondry had begun but it has announced that it leaves too complex to image and retain a drama ... If Gondry can not do it, I do not see who will get there ...