Coincidentally, prior to reading this, I finished Devil In the White City and it's interesting how many of the ideas you mention could also apply to the creation of the World's Fair detailed in that book.

Mystery of the Batwoman is the one piece of official "Timmverse" continuity that I can't justify owning. I'm glad I'm not alone in not liking it.

I agree with Crunchy, and that's why I felt that the conclusion of the novel wasn't earned. Don't get me wrong: I really like and, on a personal level, identify with the sentiment that Mitchell espouses in the end. I just don't see those few pages really summing up the rest of the stories.

Future speak
I'm sure some might have found it a little on the nose, but the linguistic invention I enjoyed most in the book was actually in the Somni section: the culture's incorporation of product names into the vernacular i.e. starbuck for coffee. I thought it was a pretty clever way of underlining some of…

Criterion
So does this mean the Criterion DVD will finally be released sometime soon?

Linklater
I saw the movie when in theatres when it was released and I hadn't read the book (or any PKD stuff at that point). I remember thinking Linklater was an odd choice for an author I primarily associated with Sci-Fi (due to the many other films 'based' on his works).

I believe it's actually "What is that you say?!"

Castle - but the Robin Hood-themed "forestmen" rather than the actual knights and stuff

Those Pumas were rather fresh.

So, it appears there's a thread two up discussing this. Nevermind.

The Donna/Prostitute split…
Since we're talking about identity, can anyone shed some light on the whole scene with Arctor waking up after having sex with the prostitute (or whoever she was) and seeing Donna in bed?

Grunk-a lunk-a, dunk-ety Darmed Guards…

@screamapillar: your avatar/name makes me want to punch something.

Catwoman
While I don't really care about Catwoman, I think that she would be the next logical addition to this version of Gotham where Batman is now on the outs with the public. She'd be a great vehicle to contrast his moral code - if the public sees him as a villain, what is his obligation to keep playing hero? I…

Bop bop bop bop bop, yeah!

Thanks for the discussion
Just wanted to say even though I haven't really had anything to contribute this time around, I've enjoyed reading everyone's insights. Looking forward to the chat this afternoon.

I found the language relatively accessible as well, though it kept me at a distance from much of what was happening as though I was reading everything through a veil of some sort. This is actually somewhat similar to how I felt reading Little, Big - I think because of an effort by the author to willfully obscure much…

It's been awhile since I've boned up on my Greek myths, but I kept wondering if the various battles mirrored the labors of Hercules (i.e. Taurus = Cretan Bull, Snake guy = Hydra). I don't think there were enough of these events though, but I liked the general allusion to slaying beasts filtered through the world of…

I don't think that Michael really has much character when the book starts, though. He's as bland as Rose. It's through the quest that he receives his character/knowledge/what-have-you. It's the whole Joseph Campbell thing.

The Coen Brothers first came to my mind with the introduction of the Vals (I think - those were the heretics in the van throwing bricks, right?) which reminded me a lot of the Big Lebowski - the Nihilists of course, but also the random journey the Dude gets sucked into. But as I continued to read, I could easily see…