Galactic Pot-Healer
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 Cover of first edition (paperback) |
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| Author | Philip K. Dick |
|---|---|
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Genre(s) | Science fiction novel |
| Publisher | Berkley Books |
| Released | 1969 |
| Media type | Print (Hardcover & Paperback) |
| Pages | 144 pp |
| ISBN | NA |
Galactic Pot Healer is a science fiction novel by Philip K. Dick, first published in 1969. The novel deals with a number of philosophical and political issues such as repressive societies, fatalism, and the search for meaning in life.
[edit] Plot introduction
The story concerns a man who thanklessly fixes pots in a totalitarian future Earth, only to be summoned by a godlike alien as part of a team sent to a distant world for a mystical quest - to raise a sunken cathedral from a surreal alien ocean.
[edit] Plot summary
The novel takes place in a dismal future America, the “Communal North American Citizen's Republic.” Not unlike George Orwell's nightmare vision of society in 1984, the United States government has become extremely intrusive and repressive, monitoring the actions, speech and even thoughts of its citizens.
The protagonist, Joe Fernwright, is a pot-healer, one who can perfectly restore pottery to brand new condition. Joe finds himself constantly depressed and idle at the opening of the novel, as his profession is not in great demand. He longs for purpose and meaning in life.
Joe finds this when he is summoned to a distant planet by a mysterious alien, Glimmung, with seemingly godlike powers. Along with other similarly talented but depressed and alienated people and creatures from all over the galaxy they are employed by Glimmung, in a grand endeavor to raise an ancient sunken cathedral from the ocean floor.
Glimmung is also in a struggle with the Kalends, who are constantly writing a book that supposedly foretells the future, one which inevitably is proven right. Glimmung's determination to continue with his struggle, even when the book predicts certain failure allows Dick to explore the idea of fatalism. Glimmung is repeatedly compared to Faust, mainly in conversation amongst the protagonists.
[edit] Bibliographic information
Galactic Pot-Healer was originally published in 1969 by Berkley Medallion Books. It is currently published in the United States by Vintage Books, ISBN 0-679-75297-8, and in the United Kingdom by Gollancz.
