Puttering About in a Small Land

infobox Book |
name = Puttering About in a Small Land
title_orig =
translator =


image_caption = Cover of first edition (hardcover)
author = Philip K. Dick
illustrator =
cover_artist =
country = United States
language = English
series =
genre = Novel
publisher = Academy Chicago Publishers
release_date = 1985
english_release_date =
media_type = Print (Hardcover & Paperback)
pages = 291 pp
isbn = ISBN 0-897-33149-4
preceded_by =
followed_by =

"Puttering About in a Small Land" is an early non-science fiction novel by noted science fiction author Philip K. Dick. It was written sometime in 1957, but remained unpublished until it was released posthumously in 1985.

Plot summary

In 1944, Virginia and Roger Lindahl meet in Washington DC. They become married, after Roger divorces his first wife Teddy, and move to California to work in a munitions factory. There they have their first and only child, Gregg. By 1953, Roger has opened a television sales and repair shop, while Virginia is trying to have Gregg enrolled in a school in Ojai against Roger's wishes. Liz Bonner, another parent, persuades Roger to agree to Gregg's enrollment, as she will share driving duties to transport their children to and from Ojai. Chic, Liz's husband, wants to buy into Roger's shop, but Roger refuses to accept his offer, and has an affair with Liz. Virginia finds out about her husband's affair, though Chic remains unaware, and she badgers Roger into letting her take over the shop with Chic. Unfortunately, both marriages have been irreparably damaged. Liz gets divorced from Chic, Roger and Virginia remain tenuously married, and Roger remains in contact with Liz through their children's school. The book closes with Roger deciding to leave California secretly.

ee also

*Bibliography of Philip K. Dick

External links

* [http://www.philipkdick.com/works_novels_puttering.html Summary at official Philip K. Dick website]
* [http://pkdickbooks.com/Mainstream/PutteringABoutTxt.html Release details and back cover text]