The old man said, ‘You will be required to do wrong no matter where you go. It is the basic condition of life, to be required to violate your own identity. At some time, every creature which lives must do so. It is the ultimate shadow, the defeat of creation; this is the curse at work, the curse that feeds on all life. Everywhere in the universe.’
From Do androids dream if electric sheep, by Phillip K. Dick.
A new reboot of blade runner inspired a reading of the source material, and another watch of the Ridley Scott directors cut. I have to say, the book makes for a much deeper read, rendering a much fuller picture of the things left unsaid in the film; the artificial owl, the reason why Deckard hunts and the affect this has on his emotional state, the big question seemingly left unanswered by the film, is he an android after all?
Phillip K. Dick has never felt like a patient author (the counter clock world, for instance reads like he’s irritated at how long it takes for the reader to get up to speed..) and this book does suffer from that.
It’s quite a good read, and I’m pleased to say it left the film looking rather shallow (given the film classic status it’s attained, that’s quite a feat) in comparison!
I’m saving up for a real sheep of my own.. Don’t tell anyone, though..