Confessions Of A Crap Artist

Having read several books by Philip K. Dick, I was looking for another one to sink my teeth into. I asked one of my coworkers which one I should try next, and this was his response:"I really like his work, but all his robots and futuristic tech terminology can get overwhelming after a while. I think you'd like 'Confessions of a Crap Artist' because it's based in contemporary time [1958]. It's regular fiction, not science fiction - but it's just as dark and disturbing as one of his apocalyptic future stories. Check it out."With that, I ordered a copy and dug into it during a recent vacation.We start off meeting Jack Isidore - He's the primary source of information for the events we're about to witness. Throughout his life, Jack has collected various items relating to science and science fiction. He's the square peg that doesn't fit into a round hole. He's been called many things: A nut. A screw-up. And most recently, a Crap Artist.Fay Hume is Jack's sister. When she sets her sights on something, nothing can change her mind. She has a unique gift/curse of having long term plans but makes most of her decisions in the present for her immediate enjoyment. She's overly concerned with her societal image, and knows how to manipulate people into getting what she wants, whether it's a new car or a nice house in the suburbs.Charley Hume - He runs the local iron works, and is married to Fay. He built an expensive house in the suburbs for them to live in. He's prone to fits of rage when asked to do anything he feels is beneath his dignity. He medicates his anger with trips to the local tavern.Fay and Charley decide to take Jack into their home - and for a time, it seemed to work. Jack takes the housework responsibilities that Fay doesn't want to do, and Charley thinks are beneath him. Jack cares for their children [Elsie and Bonnie] and convinces himself that he's providing valuable services to the family in exchange for well-cooked steaks, and a roof over his head.However, Jack begins to notice that his sister's idyllic family life is anything but. He starts to document everything and watches their lives spiral out of control while he cares for the children, tends to the animals and makes breakfast for everyone.This is a fascinating story which is told to us through the viewpoints of Jack, Fay, Charley and Fay's lover, Nathan Anteil. The format is easy to get used to, each chapter is dedicated to one person's viewpoint and we learn more about each person through their interactions. I ended up finishing this book in two days, and enjoyed it thoroughly. In a strange way, it felt like I took a break from reading PKD because this was such a departure from his usual writing style. I wish he had written more novels like this.Recommended.

I'm a huge fan of Philip K. Dick's books. I'm gradually rereading all of them. I used to buy the paperbacks at Moonstone BookCellar in WDC. Nearly all the books were published in the UK then. They weren't as popular then until Blade Runner hit the Silver Screen. Anyhow, I really enjoyed Confessions of a Crap Artist then and even more now after my second reading. I have borrowed a number of quotes and situations from the book into my everyday conversation, especially the one about Jack's brother-in-law hating to be sent to the store to buy Tampax for his wife (Jack's sister). I often tell nosey people that I had a job etching grooves into bald tires for resale. Does it get any better than that? Dick's books are much better that the movies.

There are no aliens or time travel in this novel, but that doesn't mean this book isn't without Dickian genius. In _Confessions_, Dick uses multiple POVs -- two first-person (by Jack and Fay) and two third-person narrations (in the minds of Charlie and Nate) -- and does it without even telling us (unlike Faulkner in As I Lay Dying). In the beginning it sort of comes as a shock, but you get used to it quite nicely, and Dick does a good job of sticking to the voice.As far as the plot was concerned, it's nothing like Dick's sci-fi novels -- fairly straightforward, even simplistic, you might say: the story of Jack, the brother of Fay, who stays with Fay and Charlie and gradually learns that maybe he isn't so bad off after all compared to these "sane" people. I think the ending comes a little too quickly and easily, but overall, it's a solid effort.After having read now about ten Dick novels, I think it can be safely said that he was no real fan of women. I believe Dick's women by and large tend to be deceptive, nasty creatures, Fay being perhaps the worst of the lot.

This is similar in theme and tone to "Revolutionary Road" (which hadn't been written yet). It's a disturbing and dark look at some sick people and one or two sick relationships. Dick adds humor and unexpected twists to the mix. And an interesting technique of rotating the narration between characters, chapter by chapter. This book does not commit the sin of being boring.It is dark and disturbing though. The Fay Hume character is based on Dick's third wife, who he had just married. The book's main obsessive theme is what a horrible woman she is. And the book goes to some hateful places, the parallels to Dick's own life and marriage being disturbing. Not for the first time, he analyzes himself deeply (and manages to prefigure future events in his writing). Keep in mind when you read this that Dick and his wife had sheep in their backyard, and you'll see what I mean about this book's evil side. This is a disturbing work by a man who wasn't entirely healthy; it's also a pretty good read by a guy who repeatedly turned his personal life situations and thoughts into art.

Though it takes place in the 1950's I think people who have lived in the bay area will be able to relate to this story, at least somewhat. Practically every character reminds me of an exaggerated version of someone I've known. I'd definitely recommend it. It could be a good way to get people you know into PKD if they aren't into sci fi.

This was a very strange book. I bought it because a friend had posted it on FB and I took that as an endorsement. I did not know he ever wrote non sci-fi, i would probably have passed. While the psychological profile of the female lead was well done, the plot and the way the characters act towards her make little sense, unless they are all flawed (and yes they are). I only finished it as i have only put fown 3 or 4 books in my life without completing them. Good luck if you choose to read this one. I felt totally unsatisfied with the ending, even more so than the rest of the book.

"Jack Isidore is a 'crap artist', a collector of crackpot ideas and worthless objects. His beliefs make him a man apparently unsuited for real life and so his sister, an edgy and aggressive woman, and his brother-in-law, a crass and foul-mouthed businessman, feel compelled to rescue him from it. But, observed through Jack's murderously innocent gaze, Fay and Charley Hume are seen to be just as obsessed as Jack. Their obsessions may be a little more acceptable than Jack's but they are uglier. And, in the end and thanks to Jack's intervention, theirs lead to tragedy . . ."-- from product reviewWritten in 1959 but not published until 1975, Confessions of a Crap Artist was the only mainstream novel published during Dick's lifetime. It is an intriguing look at what it is to be normal set within the milieu of 1950s California. Disturbing and funny this is an excellent read.If you are new to Philip K Dick's work I would also recommend the Science Fiction novels (which generally seem to be regarded as among his best): Do Androids Dream Of Electric Sheep?: The novel which became 'Blade Runner' (S.F. Masterworks) Ubik (S.F. Masterworks) A Scanner Darkly (S.F. Masterworks) The Man In The High Castle (S.F. Masterworks) Flow My Tears, The Policeman Said (S.F. Masterworks) The Three Stigmata of Palmer Eldritch (S.F. Masterworks) If you fancy another of PKD's mainstream works, you might like to try  Mary and the Giant (Gollancz S.F.)  or  In Milton Lumky Territory (Gollancz S.F.) .Also of interest may be the excellent biography of Philip K Dick  Divine Invasions: A Life of Philip K. Dick (Gollancz S.F.)Do Androids Dream Of Electric Sheep?: The novel which became 'Blade Runner' (S.F. Masterworks)Ubik (S.F. Masterworks)A Scanner Darkly (S.F. Masterworks)The Man In The High Castle (S.F. Masterworks)Flow My Tears, The Policeman Said (S.F. Masterworks)The Three Stigmata of Palmer Eldritch (S.F. Masterworks)Mary and the Giant (Gollancz S.F.)In Milton Lumky Territory (Gollancz S.F.)Divine Invasions: A Life of Philip K. Dick (Gollancz S.F.)

I give it 3 stars only because I love Philip K Dicks sci-fi novels and short stories so much that reading just a normal fiction novel was a bit of a let down. I think my brain couldn't get over the fact that the story would not involve a psychopathic android or some futuristic opiate. However, if you start off knowing it will be a little blander than usual you can appreciate the writing. It is nice to have all the main characters aspects given through the book, so you can truly get a feel for how weird they actually all are. Ultimately the ending is rather disappointing, not really going anywhere and quite normal.

➊ unputdownable past the first 2 chapters➋ mainly centres around the age-old male-female tug-of-war➌ contains a side-story about 1950s New Age gatherings and Millenarists in full flight a topic which PDK thought around a lot➍ contains not a smidgeon or a soupçon of science-fiction ... this is one of his "normal/civilian" books➎ see number one ... make sure you have time if you start reading :]

I read this years ago and decided to buy a newer, less-dog-eared copy to take to Greece with me in 2010. I was waiting patiently all through the book for things to get going but I was left there, at the pool, a bit disappointed. PKD's sci-fi novels CAN BE a world away from his novels about people pottering about in America, the main character is a pain in the neck, he doesn't care... but he does have some deep feeling for things that don't really matter to the outside world... I am still glad I bought it, I won't give away the ending, read it.

Excellent