Philip K. Dick
Philip K. Dick (1928-1982) was an American science-fiction writer, one of the most original and influential the genre has ever produced. His mind-bending explorations of reality, identity, and what it means to be human have inspired countless films — including Blade Runner, Total Recall, and Minority Report — and reshaped modern science fiction.
Dick's celebrated novels, such as Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? and The Man in the High Castle, remain under copyright. But he began his career writing short stories for 1950s science-fiction magazines, and a number of those early stories have since entered the public domain.
The library offers those early stories, including 'Beyond Lies the Wub,' 'The Variable Man,' 'The Hanging Stranger,' and 'The Skull.' They already display the themes that would define him — paranoia, shifting realities, and questions about what is truly real — and several anticipate ideas he later expanded into famous novels.
His prose is direct and gripping. Read a story free, and read or listen to these early works with a membership.
Philip K. Dick in the library · 7 works
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Piper in the Woods
The Crystal Crypt
The Eyes Have It
The Hanging Stranger
The Skull
The Variable Man
Audiobooks by Philip K. Dick
Every Philip K. Dick title in the library is also a complete, professionally produced audiobook — 7 audiobooks in total. Members listen free on any device. Browse the audiobook library →
Frequently asked questions about Philip K. Dick
What did Philip K. Dick write?
Dick wrote 44 novels and well over 100 short stories. His famous novels include Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? (the basis for Blade Runner), The Man in the High Castle, Ubik, and A Scanner Darkly. His work explores reality, identity, and consciousness, and has inspired many major films. His novels remain among the most influential in science fiction.
Which Philip K. Dick works can I read here?
The library offers a selection of his early short stories that are now in the public domain, including 'Beyond Lies the Wub,' 'The Variable Man,' 'The Hanging Stranger,' 'The Skull,' 'The Crystal Crypt,' 'Piper in the Woods,' and 'The Eyes Have It.' These were first published in science-fiction magazines in the early 1950s. His famous novels remain under copyright and are not included here.
Are these stories connected to his famous films?
Dick's movies are mostly based on his copyrighted novels and later stories, not the early public-domain ones offered here. But these early stories share the same DNA — paranoia, unstable reality, and hidden dangers — that made his later work so filmable. Reading them is a great way to discover where his signature ideas began.
Where should I start with these stories?
'Beyond Lies the Wub' — Dick's very first published story — is a short, witty, and thought-provoking place to begin. 'The Variable Man' is a longer, more action-packed adventure, while 'The Hanging Stranger' delivers classic Dick paranoia. All are quick reads that capture his imagination.
Why aren't Dick's novels available here?
Because his novels, such as Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? and The Man in the High Castle, are still under copyright. Only a number of his early short stories have entered the public domain, and those are what the library can legally offer. We clearly note that his famous novels are not part of the collection.
Are Philip K. Dick's stories hard to read?
Not at all — his early stories were written for popular magazines in a fast, clear, gripping style. The ideas can be mind-bending, but the writing itself is very accessible. A clear modern edition keeps them easy and enjoyable to read.
When did Philip K. Dick live?
Dick was born in 1928 and died in 1982, just months before Blade Runner brought his work to a mass audience. He wrote prolifically from the early 1950s onward, often in difficult circumstances. The stories offered here date from the beginning of his career in the 1950s.
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