The Short Happy Life of the Brown Oxford by Philip K. Dick

 

That's two step, two step, one step / That's one step, two step, dance step.

After trudging through the letdown that was If There Were No Benny Cemoli, I was hoping to stumble upon a Philip K. Dick story that might rekindle my affection for this wildly inconsistent author. As one of the big names to come out of the Science -Fiction New Wave during the 1960's and 1970's, he has penned some truly brilliant short stories. Unfortunately, those gems are often buried among some real head-scratchers. The Short Happy Life of the Brown Oxford isn't great but hey, it’s a step in the right direction (pun absolutely intended). While it’s unlikely to be remembered as a standout in his extensive catalog, it’s still a light and entertaining read that doesn’t outstay its welcome.

Enter Doc Labyrinth (A+ name, by the way), who invents a machine called The Animator. It's basically a cross between a microwave and an Easy-Bake Oven that runs on what he dubs the "principle of sufficient irritation": the idea that, eons ago, some inanimate matter got so annoyed it just... started moving. Honestly, same.

Dick takes this wonderfully absurd premise and just has fun with it. He’s not exactly known for his comedy chops, but you can tell he’s having a blast here. I mean, an anthropomorphic oxford shoe that comes to life in search of its soul mate? That’s peak weird sci-fi right there. Admittedly, the final scene where the shoe wanders off into the bushes for some alone time with its new companion had me chuckling with amusement. All in all, it's a quirky and charming detour into PKD's lighter side.