Wow, what a weird book. On the one hand, I can definitely see what makes Dick one of the most celebrated science fiction authors. He is incredibly imaginative, and just plain weird in an interesting way.

On the other hand, in some ways I found his writing not quite as great as I was expecting. Some of the plot twists I saw coming from a mile away. The more drug-induced, reality questioning stories were a bit much. And his obsession with women in the future being topless with brightly painted breasts was bizarre, offensive and sexist.

Nevertheless, I do still want to check out his novel length works.

My new favourite book. Such a fascinating and empowering view of the history of trans people. And not just fascinating, but also deeply political. As well, the journey of the author in researching the book is woven in throughout. It’s not just a history but a call to action to overthrow capitalism and achieve trans liberation along with total human liberation. Can not recommend enough.

A brilliantly witty dive into literature and a Marxist analysis thereof. My favourite chapters were those looking at Shakespeare and how everything you are taught in school about how to analyse a Shakespeare play is utter rubbish. A quick and highly entertaining read.

Extremely important to read, and very topical given the despicable and craven behaviour of the NTEU officials, offering pay cuts without so much as a fight!

Brilliant. As debates about defunding and abolishing the police rage in the wake of yet another wave of racist police murders, this book clearly lays out the facts about the police. From their origins as slave catchers, strike breakers and colonial oppressors to today, not much has changed. They don’t exist to solve crime—indeed they themselves commit crime on a mass scale, and they protect the system that drives ordinary people to crime in the first place. Instead they exist to protect the rich and their system of oppression and exploitation. We can’t reform the police. We can certainly campaign to defund them. But ultimately they must be abolished, and that means a revolution to overthrow capitalism.

An incredibly important document, showing clearly that the true tradition of the Marxist movement and the Russian Revolution is standing in solidarity with oppressed peoples, fighting for self-determination for oppressed nationalities, and also fighting for freedom of religious expression. This history was buried by Stalin during his counter-revolution to restore capitalism in Russia, so it is wonderful it is now available.

Inspiring and illuminating