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Dr Bloodmoney by Philip K. Dick
01/10/2007 . Source: Sue Davies 
pub: Gollancz. 375 page enlarged paperback. Price: £ 7.99 (UK only). ISBN: 978-0-575-07994-6. Buy Dr Bloodmoney in the USA - or Buy Dr Bloodmoney in the UK  check out website: www.orionbooks.co.uk
When Stuart McConchie sweeps the sidewalk outside the Modern TV Sales & Service shop, little does he realise it is the last time he will ever do something so normal and ordinary. By the end of the day, the world he knows has ended. Before that, he has watched a couple blasting off to Mars on a TV set in the shop and shared the psychic experience of Hoppy Harrington, who is disabled through his mother's use of thalidomide in pregnancy. He has only flippers for arms and legs but has extensors to his arms and a cart to get around. More than that, he has a special magical gift with machinery. Jim Fergusseon hires him to repair the TV sets. Stuart mistrusts him but when the bombs start falling, he has other things like survival to think about.
Once the war is over, the novel picks up with what comes next. It follows the story of Hoppy in his role as handyman and holder of power in the community. It also follows Stuart as he sees Hoppy's prediction about 'the afterlife' come true until, inevitably, they meet again. Then there is the mysterious Doctor Bluthgeld, the Bloodmoney of the title. A scientist, Dr Bluthgeld feels that he is responsible for the final conflict. Having originally caused a massive nuclear accident in 1972 following a miscalculation, Bluthgeld has been living with increasing paranoia and fear since. He believes that he has directly caused the final conflict. Although he escapes to a rural community, Bluthgeld cannot escape his conscience.
In a final few paragraphs, Philip K Dick adds his own thoughts to this novel originally released in 1965. He writes, in 1980, when the fear of imminent nuclear destruction had receded somewhat. He notes that he wrote the book at a time when people were afraid of the future, that there was not going to be one for mankind. He sees beyond the conflict and writes of a post-war World War 3 world with great affection. Despite everything, he sees a new beginning where mankind continues to thrive and form communities.
This is a strange novel. It has many of the elements of science Fiction including the description of the man-made apocalypse and post-war re-building. It also goes deeper with the emotional consequences for different characters. There are some very interesting and psychological characters examined here. Some flights of fancy are more concerned with elements of the supernatural. Consider the character of the little girl, Edie, who is growing her twin brother inside her, he talks to her every day. Then there is the stranded astronaut, endlessly circling the Earth, a human satellite. He broadcasts everyday, weaving the community together and keeping humanity alive.
Overall, 'Dr Bloodmoney' is yet another novel that will add to your knowledge of Phil Dick's strange brain. It's an odd one for sure but the period detail and vision of the possible futures make it a very intriguing read.
Sue Davies
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