Sci-Fi Fan Questions Portrayal of Writer

Your article “Philip Dick: When Sci-Fi Becomes Real” (Aug. 8) compels me to comment. I have been a fan of Philip Dick for over 20 years. Is it possible to discuss a man’s work without referring to him as a “justly ignored madman whose paranoid fantasies filled an endless series of lumpily written science-fiction novels?” Dick lived in poverty most of his adult life. Many artists whose work has limited commercial potential do. But can we refrain from such statements as “he never managed to earn a decent living in his profession?” Now I find that a writer that is enjoyed by a portion of society has a “fanatical cult following.”

Dick is taught in universities across the nation. His work has been critiqued and analyzed by college professors and fellow sci-fi writers in its own volume in the “Writers of the 21st Century” series. He has enjoyed the critical acclaim of the international community for years.

I thank you for printing the piece as it may encourage others to discover the genius of Philip K. Dick.

MICHAEL JACOBSEN, Long Beach