4 STARS
Dick's origin story is grippingly tragic. The loss of his twin Jane to neglect, his near death, and the mental instability of both his parents are specters. The ghosts of his psyche echoing through his stories. Arnold breaks down the repeated story elements and analyzes them in the context of Dick's life via interviews and diary entries.
I feel terrible. His writing is a series of psychic screams. What does it make me to take pleasure in creations that exist only because a man was tortured from childhood? What began as treatment in childhood for asthma spirals wildly out of control as his addiction to amphetamines induces paranoia and fits of rage. Combined with his unhealthy interpersonal relationships learned and then replayed throughout his life makes for a sad and rather depressing reality. He needed help and while he sought it, it never worked out. He never found peace.
That said, the way it manifested meant that Dick wasn't the nicest or most pleasant person to be around, paranoia incited physical and emotional confrontations. Additionally, his obsessions led him to make poor personal decisions which often acerbated his issues. The correlations between Dick's episodes and the effects of his various medical conditions is well done. The supporting commentary of witnesses and family who knew and were involved with Dick provide confirmation where it can. A cogent argument, but well drawn and convincing.
The investigations into the individual cruxes or visions that affected Dick greatly: break in, the pink light, Zebra, there is surprisingly long list ... some got bogged down in the format. In order to cross off all the elements there's a great deal of repetition to breakdown the argument. It's complete, but tedious to read at times. This is hefty subject matter and feels like it. By the end, Dick's circular arguments leaves one dizzy as they're unraveled.
Overall, a comprehensive investigation of Dick's life and how it affected his writings.
I feel terrible. His writing is a series of psychic screams. What does it make me to take pleasure in creations that exist only because a man was tortured from childhood? What began as treatment in childhood for asthma spirals wildly out of control as his addiction to amphetamines induces paranoia and fits of rage. Combined with his unhealthy interpersonal relationships learned and then replayed throughout his life makes for a sad and rather depressing reality. He needed help and while he sought it, it never worked out. He never found peace.
That said, the way it manifested meant that Dick wasn't the nicest or most pleasant person to be around, paranoia incited physical and emotional confrontations. Additionally, his obsessions led him to make poor personal decisions which often acerbated his issues. The correlations between Dick's episodes and the effects of his various medical conditions is well done. The supporting commentary of witnesses and family who knew and were involved with Dick provide confirmation where it can. A cogent argument, but well drawn and convincing.
The investigations into the individual cruxes or visions that affected Dick greatly: break in, the pink light, Zebra, there is surprisingly long list ... some got bogged down in the format. In order to cross off all the elements there's a great deal of repetition to breakdown the argument. It's complete, but tedious to read at times. This is hefty subject matter and feels like it. By the end, Dick's circular arguments leaves one dizzy as they're unraveled.
Overall, a comprehensive investigation of Dick's life and how it affected his writings.
No comments:
Post a Comment