Mary and the Giant is an early, non-science fiction novel written by Philip K. Dick

Philip K. Dick

Philip Kindred Dick was an American novelist, short story writer and essayist whose published work is almost entirely in the science fiction genre. Dick explored sociological, political and metaphysical themes in novels dominated by monopolistic corporations, authoritarian governments and altered...

 in the years between 1953 and 1955, but not published until 1987.

Plot introduction

In 1953, Joseph Schilling arrives in Pacific Park, Southern California. He establishes a small music shop, and later, Danny and Beth Coombes join him. Mary Ann Reynolds is also interviewed for a position at the shop, but backs off after Schilling touches her. After leaving home, Carleton Tweaney, an African-American lounge singer (and her lover) finds her a new home. However, Beth has already slept with Joseph, and now moves on to Carleton. Provoked by her affair, Danny tries to shoot Carleton, but instead dies himself. Carleton and Mary Anne break up, and she decides to work for Schilling after all, as well as becoming sexually involved with him, despite a forty year age difference. He helps her to rent and renovate her own apartment

Apartment

An apartment or flat is a self-contained housing unit that occupies only part of a building...

, but Mary Anne decides to live in a dilapidated African American

African American

African Americans are citizens or residents of the United States who have at least partial ancestry from any of the native populations of Sub-Saharan Africa and are the direct descendants of enslaved Africans within the boundaries of the present United States...

 neighbourhood instead. In an epilogue, she has married Paul Nitz, a pianist

Pianist

A pianist is a musician who plays the piano. A professional pianist can perform solo pieces, play with an ensemble or orchestra, or accompany one or more singers, solo instrumentalists, or other performers.-Choice of genres:...

 who works with Carleton.

The author himself once described the novel as: "A retelling of Mozart's Don Giovanni

Don Giovanni

Don Giovanni is an opera in two acts with music by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and with an Italian libretto by Lorenzo Da Ponte. It was premiered by the Prague Italian opera at the Teatro di Praga on October 29, 1787...

, with Schilling seduced and destroyed by a young woman."

In Popular Culture

Mary & The Giant is the name of a fantastic Colonial Pop group from Columbia, Missouri.

Members:

Zac Fiddes- Vocals
John Marino- Bass
Jason Kock- Guitar
Michael Schembre- Violin
Justin Mayfield- Cajon
Visit their website: http://www.maryandthegiant.com