Review: What ET tells us about human psychology
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 02 11, 2014
Short, pithy stories by one of the most unique Sci Fi writers of all time. PKD excels at stories about meeting extraterrestrials and what that shows about the psychology of being human. For me, one third of the stories are obsessed with war - remnants of the old communist threat from beyond the Iron Curtain. But, "Second Variety" rivals Blade Runner as a premonition of the technology (for war) in the near future. "The Defenders" is a possible scenario with an unexpected twist at the end.A few of the tales have a truly unique angle on familiar themes. Time travel: "The Variable Man" and "The Skull", Global mind control: "The Hanging Stranger" and "Piper in the Woods". Two of these stories are repeated in other books in the Sci Fi Megapack Series: "The Crystal Crypt" and "The Gun". A few of the stories are just exercises in the ridiculous: "The Eyes Have It".Overall, a mixed bag showing all sides of PKD's writing style, with a few gems and a few duds.