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A Scanner Darkly cover art

A Scanner Darkly

By: Philip K. Dick
Narrated by: Paul Giamatti
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Publisher's Summary

Substance D - otherwise known as Death - is the most dangerous drug ever to find its way on to the black market. It destroys the links between the brain's two hemispheres, leading first to disorentation and then to complete and irreversible brain damage.

Bob Arctor, undercover narcotics agent, is trying to find a lead to the source of supply, but to pass as an addict he must become a user, and soon, without knowing what is happening to him, he is as dependent as any of the addicts he is monitoring.

Now a cult classic film starring Keanu Reeves and Robert Downey Jr. Read by Paul Giamatti.

©1977 Philip K. Dick (P)2006 Random House, Inc.

What listeners say about A Scanner Darkly

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Heartbreaking

This is a dark and disturbing novel. The lives lived are shells filled with so much detritus, and the depiction of minds crumbling is made so much crueller by the precision of the depiction set against the inane lives.

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  • AJL
  • 26-06-2022

Crisp

An interesting-weird story by PKD.

I particularly enjoyed his nuanced descriptions of the behaviour of the many nefarious characters throughout the story. Definitely worth a listen.

Especially because Giamatti did an absolutely superb job narrating this story. Will definitely look for more of his audible work.

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Brilliant and harrowing

Such a haunting novel with predictably brilliant narration by Paul Giamatti. Would recommend to anyone who wants a slightly twistedperspective on the aftermath of the 60's counterculture.

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Mind blown

At first you have no idea where its all heading (in fact most of the story) but the ending grabs and shocks you and leaves you thinking for a while after it's done - which is what a good story is all about!

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A gripping and amazing piece of literature narrated perfectly

As relevant today as the day it was written, a scanner darkly is a story about the human condition, and about kids playing in the street not seeing the oncoming cars taking their friends.
It’s a sad story, a psychological horror, a comedy.. it is a mirror of real life, a mirror that sees the world flipped, and flipped again.
And only the reader can decide if the mirror sees the world clearly or darkly.

It is beautiful and I recommend it wholeheartedly.

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Beautiful story. Immersive narration.

Paul Giamatti perfectly captures the pace and tone of the novel, a now timeless reflection on the consequences of drug abuse.

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All around phenomenal

My favourite Philip K. Dick novel to date - and the narration of Paul Giamatti is one of the best audible performances I have heard. All around a peerless listen.

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Massive book

This book is a masterpiece about drug use. Very dark book. Kudos to Giamatti for his amazing voice acting.

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Wonderful

An incredible recreation of Dick’s magnum opus. The narration brings it to life. Highly recommended!!

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Death & madness

I can’t believe this was written before the meth epidemic. Substance D, the true villain of this story, is what meth is today- guaranteed death by way of madness 1st.

This is written by someone who has been there, there is no doubt about that.

Reading this book is like taking a one way trip into the mind of a strung out junkie wired & insane but trucking along anyway, embracing the delusion fully until it consumes you.

Buy it. Buy it now!

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1 person found this helpful

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