- Paperback: 246 pages
- Publisher: Vintage Books; 1st Vintage Books Ed edition (31 July 1992)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0679741143
- ISBN-13: 978-0679741145
- Product Dimensions: 13.1 x 1.3 x 20.3 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
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Amazon Bestsellers Rank:
944,016 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #52 in Books > Sports, Hobbies & Games > Hobbies & Games > Gambling > Craps
Confessions Of A Crap Artist (GOLLANCZ S.F.)
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Product Description
Book Description
'An elusive and incomparable artist' Ursula K. Le Guin
--This text refers to an alternate
Paperback
edition.
Product Description
Confessions of a Crap Artist is one of Philip K. Dick's weirdest and most accomplished novels. Jack Isidore is a crap artist -- a collector of crackpot ideas (among other things, he believes that the earth is hallow and that sunlight has weight) and worthless objects, a man so grossly unequipped for real life that his sister and brother-in-law feel compelled to rescue him from it. But seen through Jack's murderously innocent gaze, Charlie and Juddy Hume prove to be just as sealed off from reality, in thrall to obsessions that are slightly more acceptable than Jack's, but a great deal uglier.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
That's the question at the back of this non-SF book, which was the first of Dick's mainstream novels to find an audience, in the mid 70s. The crap-artist of the title is Jack Isidore, gatherer of bits of bizarre information, and chronicler of the lives of the 'normal' people around him. But as Jack sees these people abuse and hurt each other he comes to wonder if normality is all it's cracked up to be. The reader, dragged along by Jack's weird, skewed vision of the world, comes to sympathise with him. Often disturbing, often darkly funny, this is Dick at his most real. If you thought he was just another pulp sci-fi writer, albeit a good one, this is the book to shatter your illusion.
Format:Paperback
"Jack Isidore is a 'crap artist', a collector of crackpot ideas and worthless objects. His beliefs make him a man apparently unsuited for real life and so his sister, an edgy and aggressive woman, and his brother-in-law, a crass and foul-mouthed businessman, feel compelled to rescue him from it. But, observed through Jack's murderously innocent gaze, Fay and Charley Hume are seen to be just as obsessed as Jack. Their obsessions may be a little more acceptable than Jack's but they are uglier. And, in the end and thanks to Jack's intervention, theirs lead to tragedy . . ."
-- from product review
Written in 1959 but not published until 1975, Confessions of a Crap Artist was the only mainstream novel published during Dick's lifetime. It is an intriguing look at what it is to be normal set within the milieu of 1950s California. Disturbing and funny this is an excellent read.
If you are new to Philip K Dick's work I would also recommend the Science Fiction novels (which generally seem to be regarded as among his best):
Do Androids Dream Of Electric Sheep?: The novel which became 'Blade Runner' (S.F. Masterworks)
Ubik (S.F. Masterworks)
A Scanner Darkly (S.F. Masterworks)
The Man In The High Castle (S.F. Masterworks)
Flow My Tears, The Policeman Said (S.F. Masterworks)
The Three Stigmata of Palmer Eldritch (S.F. Masterworks)
If you fancy another of PKD's mainstream works, you might like to try Mary and the Giant (Gollancz S.F.) or In Milton Lumky Territory (Gollancz S.F.).
Also of interest may be the excellent biography of Philip K Dick Divine Invasions: A Life of Philip K. Dick (Gollancz S.F.)
-- from product review
Written in 1959 but not published until 1975, Confessions of a Crap Artist was the only mainstream novel published during Dick's lifetime. It is an intriguing look at what it is to be normal set within the milieu of 1950s California. Disturbing and funny this is an excellent read.
If you are new to Philip K Dick's work I would also recommend the Science Fiction novels (which generally seem to be regarded as among his best):
Do Androids Dream Of Electric Sheep?: The novel which became 'Blade Runner' (S.F. Masterworks)
Ubik (S.F. Masterworks)
A Scanner Darkly (S.F. Masterworks)
The Man In The High Castle (S.F. Masterworks)
Flow My Tears, The Policeman Said (S.F. Masterworks)
The Three Stigmata of Palmer Eldritch (S.F. Masterworks)
If you fancy another of PKD's mainstream works, you might like to try Mary and the Giant (Gollancz S.F.) or In Milton Lumky Territory (Gollancz S.F.).
Also of interest may be the excellent biography of Philip K Dick Divine Invasions: A Life of Philip K. Dick (Gollancz S.F.)
Format:Paperback
... and again the most recent. Yes, I dug this out of my shoe-box containing my 1990's US Vintage editions ( the ones with the goofy computer art covers ).
Well, I have to say, my student self had great taste, because this is a brilliant book. It perfectly captures the rot that began to set in to affluent post-war America. In fact, this book is so sharp, it reminds me of the recent TV series MAD MEN, in its depiction of that side of America.
It's hard to believe that PKD's forte was actually science fiction. This has no sci-fi whatsoever, yet it's utterly compelling, and beautifully written. The characterisation is superb. I'm glad I revisited it, and it makes me want to read all the PKDs that aren't yet in my collection.
Well, I have to say, my student self had great taste, because this is a brilliant book. It perfectly captures the rot that began to set in to affluent post-war America. In fact, this book is so sharp, it reminds me of the recent TV series MAD MEN, in its depiction of that side of America.
It's hard to believe that PKD's forte was actually science fiction. This has no sci-fi whatsoever, yet it's utterly compelling, and beautifully written. The characterisation is superb. I'm glad I revisited it, and it makes me want to read all the PKDs that aren't yet in my collection.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Dull
I was drawn to Philip K. Dick by his reputation for Sci-Fi and after reading the Amazon reviews i decided that this looked like his best piece of work (although not in any way... Read more
Published on 25 Sep 2006 by Ross Maccabee
One of Dick's best character studies.
Jack Isadore is a social cripple, barely able to function on a day to day basis. He is the nicest and most likeable character in this story. Read more
Published on 10 Oct 1998
Haunting,enjoyable, a story that will stick with the reader.
Those familiar with Dick's work will enjoy this. And new-comer's to Dick's style (Or Sci-Fi entirely) will become thirsty for more. Read more
Published on 29 Sep 1998
Dick's real-life drama as startling as his sci-fi
Readers of "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep" will recognize the character of Jack Isidore right off. Read more
Published on 23 Jun 1997
Dick's real-life drama as startling as his sci-fi
Readers of "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep" will recognize the character of Jack Isidore right off. Read more
Published on 20 Jun 1997
Dick should have been an important mainstream writer.
Confessions of a Crap Artist reveals specific emotional information about the author's life in much the same way that Phil Roth's novels reveal his emotional life. Read more
Published on 19 Jun 1997
Secret Literature
The thing about Mr. Dick is that everyone has seen BLADE RUNNER and then they run out and buy one of his books. Read more
Published on 6 May 1997
"Philip K. Dick meets J.D. Salinger."
Wow, this book is crazy! Dick tries to set himself up as a mainstream novelist, and SUCCEEDS!...but can't hide his sci-fi soul. Read more
Published on 6 Oct 1996
Real Life Weirdness
More readable than "Valis", Dick's tale about mentally ill
Jack Isidore (the same name as the chickenhead in
"Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep")... Read more
Jack Isidore (the same name as the chickenhead in
"Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep")... Read more
Published on 7 Aug 1995
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