Valis
by Philip K. Dick
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Book Summary Information
Author: Philip K. DickEdition: Paperback
Published: 1991-07-02
ISBN: 0679734465
Number of pages: 240
Publisher: Vintage
Book Reviews of Valis
Book Review: Conspiracy Theology
Summary: 3 Stars
Wow! This novel is akin to a beautiful train wreck. Unnerving, intriguing, bizarre, and potentially relatable. There are fleeting moments of lucidity intermingled with delusional streams of religious prattling. Admittedly, something I can rarely stomach, but appealing when combined with a historic, educated slant. The characters are interesting, with dimension to their actions, but most of the time regurgitating Dick's own newfound religious conclusions. Currently, and I'll explain why I say "currently" in a moment, my overall impression is that it was too tangential to vigorously enjoy. Some parts I found fascinating, others redundant and irrational. But, I can't help but feel that this was intentional. Though the real question is whether it was an enjoyable read. The short answer is yes, to a point. I found it fascinating to watch a great writer descend into madness, which seems to be the case from the biographical material I've come across about him during the time of this book's completion.
It occurred to me throughout the reading that Dick was not only weaving an intricate plot line, but purposely involving the concepts thematically into his own life. Like Dali and his egregiousness behavior in the public eye, purposely falling out of windows, obvious attempts at gaining attention. It occurred to me that perhaps Dick was performing a show of his own. One which would leave a lasting impression on those who studied him beyond his death. If intended, I concur that it worked. If not, opinion concludes he truly was on the brink of insanity.
Upon finishing the book I feel a bit let down, compared to my responses regarding the two other PKD works I've read. The Man in the High Castle and The Three Stigmata of Palmer Eldritch. Though, reflecting over it now, I feel I may be coming to the conclusion that my initial responses to those other two novels weren't held in as high regard as my current opinion. I feel a comparison to Asimov's writing would help fit my impression. Asimov is a renowned sci-fi author because of the ideas he has written about, not necessarily the prose. This is something I've read in other reviews of his work upon many occasions. Dick on the other hand, has magnificent prose, and well structured writing. I'm not going to reverse the analogy and state that his concepts don't compare to Asimov's. Absolutely not. But I feel that Dick's ideas aren't immediately noticeable. Like a pebble's wake in a pond, there is a delayed wave effect as to when Dick's concepts hit you, and they repeat (congeal) this with each introspection. Perhaps I will leave this novel thinking it was decent and be content with my immediate impression, only to find a year from now that I'm able to see its genius. Either that, or I'm really just a romantic who is a bit disappointed in an author previously held in such high regard.
Summary of Valis
The first of Dick's three final novels (the others are Divine Invasion and The Transmigration of Timothy Archer). Known as science fiction only for lack of a better category, "Valis" takes place in our world and may even be semi-autobiographical. It is a fool's search for God, who turns out to be a virus, a joke, and a mental hologram transmitted from an orbiting satellite.The proponent of the novel, Horselover Fat, is thrust into a theological quest when he receives communion in a burst of pink laser light. From the cancer ward of a bay area hospital to the ranch of a fraudulent charismatic religious figure who turns out to have a direct com link with God, Dick leads us down the twisted paths of Gnostic belief, mixed with his own bizarre and compelling philosophy. Truly an eye opening look at the nature of consciousness and divinity.
Valis is the first book in Philip K. Dick's incomparable final trio of novels (the others being are The Divine Invasion and The Transmigration of Timothy Archer). This disorienting and bleakly funny work is about a schizophrenic hero named Horselover Fat; the hidden mysteries of Gnostic Christianity; and reality as revealed through a pink laser. Valis is a theological detective story, in which God is both a missing person and the perpetrator of the ultimate crime.
"The fact that what Dick is entertaining us about is reality and madness, time and death, sin and salvation--this has escaped most critics. Nobody notices that we have our own homegrown Borges, and have had him for thirty years."--Ursula K. Le Guin, New Republic
Valis is the first book in Philip K. Dick's incomparable final trio of novels (the others being are The Divine Invasion and The Transmigration of Timothy Archer). This disorienting and bleakly funny work is about a schizophrenic hero named Horselover Fat; the hidden mysteries of Gnostic Christianity; and reality as revealed through a pink laser. Valis is a theological detective story, in which God is both a missing person and the perpetrator of the ultimate crime.
"The fact that what Dick is entertaining us about is reality and madness, time and death, sin and salvation--this has escaped most critics. Nobody notices that we have our own homegrown Borges, and have had him for thirty years."--Ursula K. Le Guin, New Republic
From the Trade Paperback edition.
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