Philip K. Dick - Humpty Dumpty in Oakland (2nd Hand Paperback)

• Format : Standard 2nd Hand Paperback
• Condition : Good (Very slight tanning towards page edges only)
• Category : Fiction - Fiction - Uncategorised
• Published : 1986 (This Edition 1988 - Paladin)
• ISBN : 9780586086704
• SKU : B002092
• PPC : LL300gm
• RRP : £3.95
• Quantity Available : 1 only.

* This book qualifies for Free UK Delivery *

Scarce early edition.

Set in (and originally written in) San Francisco in the late 1950's, Humpty Dumpty in Oakland is a tragicomedy of misunderstandings among used car dealers and real-estate salesmen: the small-time, struggling individuals for whom Philip K. Dick always reserved his greatest sympathy.

Jim Fergesson is an elderly garage owner with a heart condition, who is about to retire; Al Miller is a somewhat feckless mechanic who sublets part of Jim's lot and finds his livelihood threatened by the decision to sell; Chris Harman is a record-company owner who for years has relied on Fergesson to maintain his cars.

When Harman hears of Fergesson's impending retirement he tips him off to what he says is a cast-iron business proposition: a development in nearby Marin County with an opening for a garage.

Al Miller is convinced that Harman is a crook, out to fleece Fergesson of his life's savings. As much as he resents Fergesson he can't bear to see it happen and - denying to himself all the time what he is doing - he sets out to thwart Harman.

"Philip K. Dick spins a black comedy of misunderstandings with considerable technique" - The Guardian.

"I really loved this odd little book for the most part, it has a grounding in both history and fantasy, the 1950s nostalgia is incredible, and the characters are very well-written." - Goodreads Review.

"More than anyone else in the field, Mr. Dick really puts you inside people's minds."  - The Wall Street Journal.