Discarding the optimistic and simple worldview of Golden Age science fiction, Dick consistently explored the themes of the nature of reality and humanity in his novels. An influential precursor of the cyberpunk subgenre, Dick brought the anomic world of Southern California to many of his works. He is also one of the first great exponents of the subgenre known as alternative history, which he brought to new highs with his novel /The Man in the High Castle. He also produced a tremendous number of short stories and minor works which were published in pulp magazines.
Dick was a heavy drug user and rather paranoid, exhibiting various psychotic symptoms such as hearing voices by the time of his death. His later works, especially the Valis trilogy, were heavily autobiographical. Dick was also a voracious reader of works on religion, philosophy, metaphysics, and Gnosticism, and these ideas found their way into many of his stories.
Notable short stories:
Recommended novels:
External resources:
Dick's works may be compared with those of William S. Burroughs. (Dick is arguably less obviously twisted and more obviously philosophical.)
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