The Zap Gun
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| First edition cover | |
| Author | Philip K. Dick |
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| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Genre(s) | Science fiction novel |
| Publisher | Pyramid Publications |
| Released | 1967 |
| Media Type | Print (Hardback & Paperback) |
| ISBN | NA |
The Zap Gun is a 1967 science fiction novel by Philip K. Dick.
[edit] Synopsis
This novel is set in a then-future 2005. There is still a (theoretical) Cold War between the United States and its allies (Wes-Bloc) and the Soviet Union and its allies (Peep-East). At the elite governmental level, however, both 'sides' have secretly come to an agreement. They have decided that, instead of continuing the ecologically and economically crippling nuclear and conventional arms race, they will pretend to be constantly developing new weapons, which are then "plowshared". This means that these items are transformed into novel but baroque consumer products. Most of these weapon designers are telepaths, who create their new designs in trance states.
One Wes-Bloc weapons designer, Lars Powderdry (Mr. Lars of Mr. Lars Incorporated) is the central character- as one can note, weapons have become little more than basically fashion. He is depressed that his industry is little more than a fraud, as none of his 'weapons' are functional. His female Peep-East counterpart is Lilo Topchev, whom he knows nothing about He also has a mistress, Maren Faine, head of the Paris branch of Mr. Lars, Incorporated.
Apart from the comic overtones of this deception, there is a subplot related to alien invasion. Sirius-based aliens invade Earth, and are determined to enslave its populace. Earth has a problem, given the deceptive nature of its arms race and the absence of functional anti-alien weapons technology. Lars and Lilo collaborate, although Lilo immediately tries to kill Lars, despite the intentions of their blocs otherwise. Neither can design functional weapons, however.
There is a further subplot about a conspiracy theorist and white supremacist, who is elected as an "average man" to the governing body of Wes-Bloc.
The conclusion involves an eclectic mixture of time travel, androids, drugs, toys, and comic books.
[edit] Miscellanea
- The book was also published in a serialised form as Project Plowshare.
