Counter-Clock World (1967) (edit title/settings)

Ridiculously Simplified Synopsis edit see section history

show spoilers

Characters/People edit see section history

• Sebastian Hermes: Main character. Proprietor/owner of Flask of Hermes Vitarium - a Vitarium being a business that digs up the dead and gives them the treatment they need before returning them to society.
• Ray Roberts: Leader of powerful religious organisation, The Udi, at the time of The Anarach Thomas Peak's revival.
• Douglas Appleford: Librarian in The People's Topical Library.
• Ann Fisher: Daughter of Head Librarian, Mavis McGuire. Sometimes used as an "agent" of the Library. Infamous for using her "feminine wiles" to get what she wants.
• Office Joseph Tinbane: Police officer who gets involved in S.Hermes' revival of the Anarch Peak.
• Bob Lindy: Technician in The Flask of Hermes Vitarium.
• Dr. Sign: Doctor in The Flask of Hermes Vitarium.
• Tony Giacometti: Representative of Roman party bidding for ownership of the revived Anarch Peak.
• Mrs Lotta Hermes: Wife of S.Hermes.
• Carl Gantrix: Add a description of this character.
• Mavis Mcguire: Head Librarian of The People's Topical Library. Most feared!
• George Gore: Officer Joe Tinbane's superior.
• R.C. Buckley: Salesman in The Flask of Hermes Vitarium.
• Lona
• Carl Junior: Robot representing Carl Gantrix.
• Cheryl Vale: Secretary of The Flask of Hermes Vitarium.
• Lance Arbuthnot
• Mrs. Tilly M. Benton: Old-born due to be revived when the grave of the Anarch Peak is noticed in the same graveyard.
• The Anarch Thomas Peak: Ex-leader of religious organisation, the Udi. His revival and the subsequent bidding war are central to the plot of this book.
• Don
• Paul

Setting & Locations edit see section history

• Los Angeles
• Rome
• Bethel
• Mars
• Udi
• Italy
• Dodger Stadium
• West Coast

First Sentence edit see section history

Glossary edit see section history

• Sogum: People do not eat, but instead consume "Sogum" (hinted to be reverse Defecation) and later "plop" out food, which is done in private, due to its 'shameful' nature.(from Wikipedia)

Themes & Symbolism edit see section history

• The Hobart Phase: The Hobart Phase is the new order of life where people rise from the dead and are rejuvenated. Time reversal apparently began in 1986. Other than aging, Hobart Phase resurrection has changed nutritional and excretion processes and associated social taboos. People do not eat, but instead consume "Sogum" (hinted to be reverse Defecation) and later "plop" out food, which is done in private, due to its 'shameful' nature. As for smoking, cigarettes are no longer smoked, but the smoke instead blown back into them, making them grow back to normal size (this also clears and freshens the air). "Goodbye" and "hello" have reversed their order within standard greetings. It is stated that Mars colonists do not have the Hobart Phase on their world, and it is limited to Earth, and presumably its lunar colonies as well.(from Wikipedia)
• Divided USA: As hinted in the book, the United States of America has been partitioned into eastern and western segments. Hawaii and Alaska have also seceded from the WUS and FNM, but this is only mentioned in passing. In the WUS (Western United States), California is predominantly white, while the eastern "Free Negro Municipality" (FNM) is inhabited by African Americans. The fictitious religion of Uditi is the national religion of the East. Uditi is an offshoot of Christianity with apparent influences from Roman Catholicism and the Rastafari movement, and is centered around "the udi", an experience of a group mind.Inhabitants of the WUS view the religion with suspicion, and it is hinted that their media demonizes its adherents. Library-sanctioned murders and civil unrest are claimed to be the works of religious fanatics. FNM currency is claimed to be worthless, as is WUS currency (stated earlier in the book), but its citizens ignore this due to patriotism.(from Wikipedia)

Authors & Contributors edit see section history

1. Philip K. Dick (Author)

First Edition edit see section history

Classification edit see section history

• Library of Congress: PS3554.I3
• Dewey: 813.54

Subjects edit see section history

• Books › Science Fiction & Fantasy › Authors, A-Z › ( D ) › Dick, Philip K.
• Books › Science Fiction & Fantasy › Science Fiction
• Books › Literature & Fiction