I actually saw the movie (several times) before reading the book, which is very unusual for me. At first, it was because I did not know that Bladerunner was based on a book. Later, it was because I did not want to be disappointed – either in the book or that the movie wasn’t as good as the book.

It was an unnecessary worry. There are differences, as there always are. Yet both are high quality, entertaining and worth the time.

The storyline focuses on a future earth that is contaminated. Science has continued to make progress – even to the point of being able to make short-lived humans called Replicants who live and help out off-world. This progression of science did not lead to a utopian existence. Deckard is a detective whose job is to find replicants who have come to earth and deal with them.

Throughout the book several themes are developed, all of which center around the questions of: What makes somebody human? and What does being human mean?

Bottom line, if you enjoy science fiction with depth, read and watch.

Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep

Philip K. Dick. Easton Press 2008, Leather Bound, 244 pages, $165.00

Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?

Andy Hopkins (Editor). Oxford University Press 2007, Paperback, 128 pages, $8.10

Blade Runner – The Final Cut (Two-Disc Special Edition)

Warner Home Video 2007, DVD, $6.61

Blade Runner (Five-Disc Complete Collector’s Edition) [Blu-ray]

Warner Brothers 2007, Blu-ray, $28.81