Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?

Ok, I seem to be too verbose on my summaries monthly so I'm going to break up the books from now on as (or as close to as my schedule allows) they are finished.  Today starts the back-log of Sept reads... one of which was Blade Runner formerly known as Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? but redubbed due to the amazing Ridley Scott movie of the same name.  I read this as a part of Portland's FIRST RULE OF BOOKCLUB group which reads a book, discusses and then watches the movie in one of our lovely local (and locally-owned) theatres!  I'm SO glad this was a pick because I might not have read the book otherwise (I rarely read sci-fi as I prefer it in the movie medium!)

I'd seen the movie already so I had a visual feel in my head that starts and ends with the eerie lighting & shadows, cool filters and a futuristic cityscape that Scott does so well.  But the book was so much more of a philosophical experience than a visual one really... which I loved.  The opening scene between husband and wife (Harrison Ford's character is married here and not remotely an android as the movie hints he might be)was as much humorous and familiar as it was frightening and reminded me of Farenheit 451.   Our hero doesn't wonder if he's actually human but he DOES wonder who holds humanity between humans and androids in this tale... and he increasingly questions his loyalty through the story despite moving forward with his profession of "retiring" rogue androids on earth. 

The moral decisions and issues of faith that are faced were so compelling and thought-provoking.  The book & the movie are so unique in theme and voice that Ridley Scott has really created something completely new which I have to admire for its own sake.  However one is missing something if one doesn't also experience the book.   I found the shared experiences that are part of the global religion both creepy and profound and sharing the journey of our hero/anti-hero matched that experience.

I highly recommend this story for all readers - not just genre lovers.  It is a stimulating and complex read.