Ubik is a story that takes place in the distant future date of 1992 (written in 1969) where we have already colonized the moon and the world has “inertials” that negate the “precogs” that may invade the privacy of people through their telepathy. A business magnate invites the Runciter Associates’ group of privacy-enforcing intertials, led by Joe Chip and Glen Runciter, to his facility on the moon but results in catastrophe that spirals the half dozen or so Runciter employees into a haze of panic and then into reality-bending experiences. Corporate sabotage and mystery around the shifts in reality progress the story through the introduction of Ubik, the product (thing, or idea) that Chip uses to negate some of the ill effects of the situation.
In the same tone as other stories from PKD (like the story used for Blade Runner, “Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?”), this has a dystopian future setting with ambitious predictions of a future society (as it is now our past) and a cleverly mysterious product called Ubik. What is Ubik? That is the question that you are supposed to ask. It seems to be a product, with potentially dangerous results. After reading this, I thought to myself that it is a must read for anyone who likes classic sci-fi. The author does a good job of keeping the mystery throughout the story and does a fine job of wrapping it up. I am not particularly interested in psychic or telepathic stuff but this has a good balance of that sub-genre of sci-fi and mystery. Ubik, however, is a thing to be discussed and debated. I think that might be a reason why a lot of readers love it.
Chapter heading advertisments for Ubik:
“Friends, this is clean-up time and we’re discounting all our silent, electric Ubiks by this much money. Yes, we’re throwing away the blue-book. And remember: every Ubik on our lot has been used only as directed.”
“The best way to ask for beer is to sing out Ubik. Made from select hops, choice water, slow-aged for perfect flavor, Ubik is the nation’s number-one choice in beer. Made only in Cleveland.”
“Instant Ubik has all the fresh flavor of just-brewed drip coffee. Your husband will say, Christ, Sally, I used to think your coffee was only so-so, But now, wow! Safe when taken as directed.”
“My hair is so dry, so unmanageable. What’s a girl to do? Simply rub in creamy Ubik hair conditioner. In just five days you’ll discover new body in your hair, new glossiness. And Ubik hairspray, used as directed, is absolutely safe.”