“Your Appointment Will Be Yesterday” is a captivating short story by Philip K. Dick, first published in Amazing Stories in August 1966. It explores time reversal and resurrection themes, later expanded into the novel Counter-Clock World. The story’s unique concepts and availability in PDF formats make it accessible to modern readers, ensuring its relevance in science fiction.
1.1 Overview of the Short Story
Your Appointment Will Be Yesterday is a thought-provoking story by Philip K. Dick, first published in Amazing Stories in August 1966. It explores a world where time moves backward, featuring the concept of “old-birth,” where the dead return to life. The narrative follows a librarian, Niehls Lehrer, as he navigates this reversed reality and grapples with the implications of time reversal. The story’s unique themes and intricate plot have captivated readers, making it a significant work in Dick’s repertoire.
1.2 Historical Context and Significance
Written during a period of scientific and philosophical exploration, Your Appointment Will Be Yesterday reflects Philip K. Dick’s fascination with time and reality. First published in 1966, it emerged during a transformative era for science fiction, influencing the genre’s thematic depth. The story’s exploration of time reversal and resurrection aligns with Dick’s broader oeuvre, cementing its place as a pivotal work in his career and the sci-fi canon. Its availability in PDF formats ensures its continued relevance.
Publication Details
Your Appointment Will Be Yesterday was first published in Amazing Stories in August 1966. It later expanded into the novel Counter-Clock World in 1967, exploring time reversal themes. PDF versions are now widely available, ensuring its accessibility to modern readers.
2.1 First Publication in Amazing Stories (August 1966)
Your Appointment Will Be Yesterday debuted in Amazing Stories (Volume 40, No. 7) in August 1966, illustrated by Gray Morrow. Submitted to the SMLA on August 27, 1965, it was the feature story. Now part of The Willis E. McNelly Science Fiction Collection, PDF versions are widely available, offering readers easy access to this pivotal work that explores time reversal and its implications, highlighting its enduring relevance in science fiction literature.
2.2 Expansion into the Novel “Counter-Clock World”
Philip K. Dick expanded Your Appointment Will Be Yesterday into the novel Counter-Clock World in 1967. The novel explores a reversed timeline where the dead revive through “old-birth,” living life backward. This concept, central to both works, delves into existential themes and societal implications, offering a profound exploration of time and humanity. The expansion enriches the original story’s ideas, solidifying its place in science fiction literature.
Key Themes and Concepts
The story explores time reversal and resurrection through “old-birth,” blending philosophical and societal implications. Its unique narrative and availability in PDF formats enhance its accessibility and relevance.
3.1 Time Reversal and Its Implications
The story delves into the concept of time reversal, where events unfold backward, challenging traditional notions of causality. This unique narrative explores the societal and existential implications of such a reality, where death becomes a form of “old-birth,” and life unwinds in reverse. The PDF versions of the story provide readers with a convenient way to engage with these thought-provoking themes and their profound implications on human understanding.
3.2 The Concept of “Old-Birth” and Resurrection
In “Your Appointment Will Be Yesterday,” the concept of “old-birth” introduces a reality where the deceased emerge from graves, living life in reverse. This reversal challenges traditional notions of mortality and resurrection, exploring themes of identity and free will. The PDF versions of the story provide insight into Dick’s exploration of these ideas, offering readers a unique perspective on time, existence, and societal structures in a reversed world.
Author Background
Philip K. Dick, born in 1928 in Chicago, began writing in the 1950s, renowned for his philosophical science fiction works and multiple award-winning novels.
4.1 Philip K. Dick: A Brief Biography
Philip K. Dick, born in 1928 in Chicago, became a prominent science fiction writer known for exploring complex themes like reality and identity. Starting his career in 1952, Dick gained acclaim for works like The Man in the High Castle, which earned him a Hugo Award in 1962. His innovative storytelling and philosophical depth left a lasting impact on the genre, influencing both literature and popular culture.
4.2 Dick’s Literary Career and Major Works
Philip K. Dick’s literary career spanned decades, producing iconic works like The Man in the High Castle and Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?. His writing often explored themes of reality, identity, and societal structures. Dick’s work gained widespread recognition, including a Hugo Award, and influenced numerous film adaptations, cementing his legacy as a visionary in science fiction.
The Short Story’s Manuscript and Development
The manuscript for “Your Appointment Will Be Yesterday” was submitted to the SMLA on August 27, 1965, and published in Amazing Stories in August 1966.
5.1 Submission to the SMLA (August 27, 1965)
Philip K. Dick submitted the manuscript for “Your Appointment Will Be Yesterday” to the SMLA on August 27, 1965. This submission marked a key step in the story’s development, leading to its publication in Amazing Stories the following year. The manuscript is now preserved in the Willis E. McNelly Science Fiction Collection at California State University, Fullerton, offering insights into Dick’s creative process and revisions.
5.2 Creative Process and Revisions
Philip K. Dick’s creative process for “Your Appointment Will Be Yesterday” involved extensive revisions, as evident from the manuscript drafts preserved in the Willis E. McNelly Collection. The story was later expanded into the novel Counter-Clock World, showcasing Dick’s ability to evolve his ideas. Fans initially criticized the story’s tone, prompting Dick to refine its narrative. These revisions highlight his dedication to exploring complex themes like time reversal and resurrection.
Critical Reception and Fan Response
The story initially received mixed reviews, with some fans objecting to its negative tone. However, its unique themes and Dick’s defense of his work garnered respect over time.
6.1 Initial Fan Reactions to the Story
When “Your Appointment Will Be Yesterday” was first published, it sparked mixed reactions. Many fans were intrigued by its unique time-reversal concept, while others found its darker themes unsettling. The story’s exploration of resurrection and societal norms initially puzzled some readers. Philip K. Dick himself noted that some fans objected to the story’s negative tone, though it later gained appreciation for its originality and philosophical depth, making it a memorable piece in his bibliography.
6.2 Literary Analysis and Interpretations
Scholars have praised “Your Appointment Will Be Yesterday” for its exploration of time reversal and resurrection, which challenge traditional narrative structures. The story’s themes of societal norms stifling innovation and the ethical implications of reversing life cycles have been interpreted as a commentary on human existence and free will. Its complex concepts and layered meanings solidify its place as a thought-provoking work in Philip K. Dick’s oeuvre.
Availability and Digital Formats
The story is widely available in PDF formats online, offering readers easy access to Philip K. Dick’s captivating narrative of time reversal and resurrection.
7.1 PDF Versions and Online Availability
Your Appointment Will Be Yesterday is readily available in PDF format through various online platforms, including z-library and academic archives. Fans can access the story digitally, ensuring its timeless themes of time reversal and resurrection remain accessible. Additionally, the Willis E. McNelly Science Fiction Collection at California State University, Fullerton, houses original manuscripts and published works, further enhancing its digital and physical reach for enthusiasts and scholars alike.
7.2 Rare Copies and Collector’s Editions
Rare copies of Your Appointment Will Be Yesterday include the original 1966 Amazing Stories issue and archived manuscripts in the Willis E. McNelly Collection at CSUF. These physical copies, along with limited collector’s editions, are highly sought after by enthusiasts. The story’s expansion into Counter-Clock World adds to its collectible value, making these rare materials a treasure for both collectors and scholars of Philip K. Dick’s work.
Legacy and Influence
Your Appointment Will Be Yesterday influenced the science fiction genre through its unique time reversal concept. The story’s expansion into Counter-Clock World solidified its lasting impact.
8.1 Impact on Science Fiction Genre
Philip K. Dick’s “Your Appointment Will Be Yesterday” significantly influenced science fiction by exploring time reversal and non-linear narratives. Its unique approach inspired authors to experiment with unconventional storytelling, shaping the genre’s future. The story’s themes of temporal complexity and resurrection also sparked deeper philosophical discussions, cementing Dick’s legacy as a visionary writer. Its availability in PDF formats ensures continued accessibility, fostering ongoing inspiration for modern sci-fi creators and enthusiasts alike.
8.2 Adaptations and Inspirations
Philip K. Dick’s “Your Appointment Will Be Yesterday” inspired various adaptations and influenced numerous creators. The story was expanded into the novel Counter-Clock World, exploring time reversal and resurrection. Its unique concepts have also inspired films, books, and other media, solidifying its impact on sci-fi. The story’s availability in PDF formats has further ensured its reach, motivating new adaptations and creative interpretations across genres.
“Your Appointment Will Be Yesterday” remains a pivotal work in Philip K. Dick’s oeuvre, blending time reversal and resurrection themes. Its expansion into Counter-Clock World and availability in PDF formats ensure its enduring relevance in science fiction.
9.1 Summary of Key Points
Philip K. Dick’s “Your Appointment Will Be Yesterday” is a thought-provoking short story first published in Amazing Stories in August 1966. It explores themes of time reversal and resurrection, later expanded into the novel Counter-Clock World. The story’s unique concepts and availability in PDF formats ensure its accessibility to modern readers, solidifying its place in science fiction literature and Dick’s enduring legacy as a visionary writer.
9.2 Final Thoughts on the Story’s Relevance
“Your Appointment Will Be Yesterday” remains a timeless exploration of time reversal and resurrection, offering profound insights into existential themes. Its availability in PDF formats ensures accessibility for modern readers, highlighting Philip K. Dick’s enduring influence on science fiction. The story’s unique concepts continue to inspire, solidifying its relevance in contemporary discussions of time, identity, and humanity’s place in the universe.