The Variable Man

Philip K. Dick ponders the very nature of humanity in this anthology of five gripping short stories and novellas. Includes “The Defenders,” “Foster, You’re Dead,” “Piper in the Woods,” “Second Variety,” and “The Variable Man.”

A man is brought into the future during the midst of an intergalactic war, when government computers can predict the outcome of the conflict. However, when this man from the past is factored into the computers calculations the results are unexplainable. Philip K. Dick was an American science-fiction novelist, short-story writer and essayist. His first short story, “Beyond Lies the Wub,” was published shortly after his high school graduation. Some of his most famous short stories were adapted for film, including “The Minority Report,” “Paycheck,” “Second Variety” (adapted into the film Screamers) and “We Can Remember It For You Wholesale” (adapted into the film Total Recall). HarperCollins brings great works of literature to life in digital format, upholding the highest standards in ebook production and celebrating reading in all its forms. Look for more titles in the HarperCollins short-stories collection to build your digital library.

Philip K. Dick's 'The Variable Man' is a short science fiction story. This story was first published in the year 1952 in a magazine named the Planet Stories.

"The Variable Man" is a science fiction novella by American writer Philip K. Dick, which he wrote and sold before he had an agent. It was first published in Space Science Fiction (British), Vol. 2 No. 2, July 1953 and Space Science Fiction, September 1953 with the US publication illustrated by Alex Ebel. Despite the magazine cover dates it is unclear whether the first publication was in the UK or in the United States where magazines tended to be published farther ahead of their cover dates than in the UK.The Variable Man can be found in several collections of Dick's short stories, including The Variable Man and The Short Happy Life of the Brown Oxford.

Title: The Variable ManAuthor: Philip K. DickLanguage: English

"The Variable Man" by Philip K. Dick is a classic science fiction short story that delves into themes of reality, technology, and the unpredictability of human behavior. In this thought-provoking narrative, Dick introduces readers to a future society where technological advancements include a process called "Warping," allowing individuals to foresee potential outcomes of various scenarios. The protagonist, a repairman named Joe Fernwright, becomes an unexpected variable in the system due to his unpredictable decisions. As he faces a critical decision that could impact the fate of a war between Earth and a distant planet, Fernwright's actions challenge the deterministic nature of the advanced technology surrounding him. Dick's "The Variable Man" is a captivating exploration of free will, the consequences of choices, and the inherent uncertainties within complex systems. With its blend of speculative elements and philosophical inquiries, this short story continues to resonate with fans of science fiction, showcasing Dick's unique narrative style and his ability to weave intricate tales that question the nature of reality.

He fixed things—clocks, refrigerators, vidsenders and destinies. But he had no business in the future, where the calculators could not handle him. He was Earth's only hope—and its sure failure!

Driving home in the night, Hubert is surprised to see a mysterious light hovering over his car. Scared, he pulls up in his driveway and sees the light beaming down on his garden, irradiating it. Through this light the Prime Matter People direct Hubert to eat a midnight meal of collards cooked with greasy ham hocks whereby he is given supernatural powers enabling him to become invisible or the man or monster of choice, a black or white skeleton. Borrowing from an armored truck so he can fight crime from a Harlem town house, he applies his powers for good, mischievously.