The Dice Man, by Luke Rhinehart, published by Harper COllins 1993.

 Synopsis: Basically, its about a psychologist who starts living his life by letting dice decide which option he will go with - sometimes fairly minor decisions, sometimes major ones like leaving his wife and children, or choosing to murder somebody. However, it also offers a lot more than that, as it is about how this one man manages to convince lots of other people to follow him in this "religion", and to set up Dice Therapy Centres etc.

I think this is one of those love-it-or-hate-it kind of books, but I am firmly in the former category. This is a fantastic book! It says on the back it is a "cult classic" which sometimes puts me off as niche market type books, but this sounded like an interesting idea so I gave it a go.

This book is funny, quirky, original and very intriguing, and it had me hooked and reading as quickly and intensely as is possible alongside full-time job and looking after a three-year old. The story does settle a bit in the middle, and then picks up pace towards the end so it is worth persevering with. The writing style is a bit stilted in places, and sometimes difficult to get used to as it switches from the first person to the third person. At the same time as you try and empathise with the main character, you are also alienated from him and from some of his activities, so the reader is placed in quite a weird position. Its definitely a book I'll be hanging on to, and that will stay with me for a long time as it is very thought-provoking. I might also try and hunt down the sequel....

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and seemingly when it came out there was a lot of debate about whether it was fct or fiction - I have no idea which myself.

 

I have the sequel The search for the Dice man but have not got around to reading it because I remember the first book as being quite difficult to read.

If you want to borrow the sequel you are very welcome and could just pm me your address, no rush to get it bck to me.

Oooh don't tempt me......or maybe.......alright go on then. I'll send you a pm.....

At the reading group I used to attend, the man who set it up was a devotee of this book and made his decision whether to set up the group or not based on a roll of the dice.

He kept putting it forward for the group to read but it never got through!

i tried this and hated it!!  i think i gave up after 2 chapters.

Think I'll have to give this one a try...sounds intriguing

I read it all anf thought it was a bit pants

 

 

windysisters:

At the reading group I used to attend, the man who set it up was a devotee of this book and made his decision whether to set up the group or not based on a roll of the dice.

He kept putting it forward for the group to read but it never got through!

That's really funny! I would never go that far. Its an interesting idea, but the style isn't always easy to read so its more of an entertaining experiment than something to dedicate your life to!

I am afraid I am in the hate it camp. I just felt it was an excuse to write about sex in a really bad way. I actually find the thought of someone deciding to form a book group on the roll of a dice far more interesting as at least it was day to day events.

I tried this and gave up after a couple of chapters and swapped it

Saucier:

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and seemingly when it came out there was a lot of debate about whether it was fct or fiction - I have no idea which myself.

I think it's a blend of fact and fiction. There's no doubt that the writer, George Cockcroft, (Rhinehart is a nom de plume) lived some of his time deciding what to do on the throw of a dice, but many of the background stories are invented- for instance, I checked the New York Times late edition in question for confirmation of the mass excape of patients on a trip out from their psychiatric home, and there's no mention of it. I was a little disappointed...

I wouldn't advise anyone to bother with 'the search for the dice-man'- it really is dull.

I think I am slightly disappointed that it is not entirely fact!  Who here would have the nerve to take every decision, their every action based on the roll of the dice - I know I wouldn't

 Brilliant book =D

Even though i am only a teenager i found this book entralling! 

I found it too hard to relate to luke. Sue to the narratives changing from chapter to chapter

The sequel is still something i have to find. 

Is it search for the dice man!!??