A mature novel. It makes me wonder how successful Dick would have been as a Realist novelist. As it is his entire reputation rests on his science fiction. It’s a shame when he writes such stellar psychological novels. I can only assume he got these plots from real life, from the experiences of his friends and relatives. He was with many women in his time, married multiple times. This book contains one of the only women who don’t end up being evil. The unexpected love interest. His dialect dialogue doesn’t quite ring authentic though. Still I wonder how many of the characters in this novel were based on real people and how many came out of his head. The novel is full of extremely well-fleshed out characters. They live and breathe and you feel their anguish as they get betrayed and make mistakes and fumble through their measly existences. It’s a page-turner because you’re drawn in by the characters unresolved fates. The ending is satisfying but completely open. The main character is still screwed, but you’re okay with his decisions for the most part. They’ve taught you something as a reader. It’s the opposite of wish fulfillment. Self-destruction is a theme in Dick’s Realist novels. The naked truth of the power of his writing is clear in books like these. We only love his science fiction because it contains raw emotion and true life with a fancy veneer of futurism. He’s a genius at exposing the human soul. I never grow tired of plumbing the depths of ordinariness he uncovers in the trivial lives of peasants of American industrial frontiers. ( )

The only thing this book has going for it is being a minor curiosity in the PKD bibliography. For fans only. ( )

this was quick and fun to read but oh boy the racial stuff eep ( )

A story of the dangers of delusional thinking, greed, paranoia and plain stupidity. Al Miller is a used-car salesman with self-esteem issues. He rents his lot from Jim Fergessen. When Fergessen sells his garage, and Al’s lot it results in some unintended circumstances. Al tries to stop Fergessen from investing his proceeds in what Al is sure is a scam. Al actually goes to work for the man he feels is the scammer. It gets complicated. There’s not a lot of trust or good will and the plot is difficult to predict. Hard to describe, but a good story. ( )

It kept my attention but I didn't think it was as good as some of Dick's other "straight" novels. Still, the man sure knew how to tell a good story. ( )