The next meeting is on Saturday 22nd March at 14:00 in Chester Library in the meeting room on the first floor. We’ll be discussing Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K. Dick.
Most of us will have seen Blade Runner (it’s my favourite film!) but even though it’s based on the book Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? the feel of the book is very different. I think it’s a good introduction to Dick’s work as it isn’t too strange. Some of his books are so weird as to be positively hallucinogenic – did I hear someone mention The Three Stigmata of Palmer Eldritch? :-).
We need to start thinking about the next batch of books, so if there’s any book you really want to discuss now is a good time to mention it. If we can get together a short list I’ll post links to reviews of the books here so we can make the final choice of four books at the April meeting.
Chester Library Sci-Fi 
1st readthrough:
Well it differs from the film. Not what I anticipated… Will re-read before the 22nd.
Two Proposals:
The Heretic Land: Tim Lebbon.
Earth: David Brin.
?
PKD turned down $400000 in1982 to write the official novelisation of the Bladerunner.
Preferring to remain true to his original vision. The films release renewed interest in, and sales of the novel.
Dick never saw the completed film, but he saw and liked early versions. See:
http://scifi.stackexchange.com/questions/373/did-philip-dick-watch-blade-runner-before-his-death
for more info. Also possibly of interest:
http://scifi.stackexchange.com/questions/20977/why-did-they-name-the-movie-blade-runner
Some interesting background ‘info’ from the “Stack”, then…
Late post…:
THe group consensus was more or less unanimous… We liked both book and film. That the book differs substantially from the film, was a pleasant surprise… and generated a lot of discussion. As did comparison of the film.
Maybe the film edges it slightly, due to
visualisation and pace. (?) But the book maybe asks a few more questions… (?)
Both are worthy of the regard they’re held in…
A good meeting, then…
The Machine:
Caradog W James. : Toby Stephens, Caity Lotz.
This has some similarities to both DADOES and Bladerunner in theme. Addressing AI, the right to life of electronic lifeforms, etc…
A multi-themed Sci-Fi’er, which engages the viewer… (A possible ‘Cult Classic’ in the making (?)). As opposed to (Vacuous) ‘Blockbuster’ spectacle.
A worthy addition to the genre…