A Scanner Darkly - Phillip K. Dick

The books of Philip K. Dick are a fountain of wonderfully bizarre "what ifs". In this book he explores the world of drug addiction and an undercover police officer who works in it. The drug of choice is called "Substance D" and has the unusual effect of splitting the user's mind into two distinct entities.

To try and describe what happens when Fred, the undercover officer, begins to feel the effects of the drug is almost impossible. Fred is keeping close watch on a dealer named Bob Arctor whose activities are very suspicious. But what Fred isn't aware of is that he is Bob Arctor. The drug has got him so mixed up that he doesn't realize that he is monitoring himself.

As crazy as that sounds, it is just the beginning. In true PKD fashion, the book twists and twists until the final pages when suddenly everything becomes apparent and makes sense.

I don't want to give too much away, so go and check this book out. Also, there is a movie version starring Keanu Reeves, Woody Harrelson, Winona Ryder, and Robert Downey Jr. Its coming out in the near future (sometime in 2006). I would recommend reading the book before seeing the movie in order to get the full effect. The trailer looks awesome.

I give the book 8 out of 10.