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iffer's review against another edition
4.0
This book is definitely hard to get into, and I had a slow start because I had no idea whatsoever what I was in for, except that this book was strongly recommended to me. I'm not really sure how to describe it, but it's a brilliant...lots of things: depiction of mental health, exploration of the nature of reality, musings about world religions. It's definitely not for everybody though, the least of the reasons for which are that it doesn't really have a "plot" and the characters are definitely not likeable.
dngoldman's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
informative
medium-paced
4.0
example of auto-fiction that takes readers on a wild ride through the author's mind, exploring the power of ideas and what they can do to those who take them seriously.
The novel is based on real-life events that occurred on February 20, 1974, when Dick received a home delivery of Darvon from a young woman while recovering from the effects of sodium pentothal administered for the extraction of an impacted wisdom tooth. The woman wore a golden necklace with a fish-shaped design, which she explained was a sign used by early Christians. This event led Dick to believe in a transcendentally rational mind that invaded his consciousness, imparted wisdom and clairvoyance, and was intelligent.
Valis is essentially a fictional retelling of these events, with Dick adding sidekick characters such as Horselover Fats, who may or may not be an alternate personality of Dick's, and Hollywood celebrities who believe they have birthed the messiah and use their films to beam secret messages to the public. The novel is a debate over these ideas, with questions about whether Fat (or Dick) is crazy, and whether the filmmakers are part of a secret society or just nuts.
What sets Valis apart from other novels is Dick's deadpan depiction of life in California and the long, drawn-out conversations between people on the margins who are otherwise messed up. Like A Scanner Darkly, with which Valis shares many plot points and motifs, Dick captures the zeitgeist of the times in a way that "greater" novelists like Pynchon could only dream of.
Valis is a novel of ideas, containing many passages from Dick's own exegesis, but it puts readers in the position of someone (Dick) who is struggling with the ideas presented. Is Dick insane? But if the world is wrong, then insanity is the only sane option.
The ideas presented in Valis are a master class on synthesizing various mysticisms. The novel suggests that the world as we know it is false, imperfect, and flawed, and that the good can send a representative to help us transcend this false reality. There are elements of Gnosticism, Platonism, Zoroastrianism, and more. The novel captures the ultimate battle of good and evil in Zoroastrianism and the idea that the world we know is captured in a black iron prison, with the empire never ending. But the good can reach through, whether as pure information (Valis) or gods (Jesus).
In conclusion, Valis is a thought-provoking novel that challenges readers to question their reality and their beliefs. Dick's ability to synthesize various ideas and present them in a compelling and entertaining way is a testament to his skill as a writer. The novel is a must-read for fans of science fiction and those interested in exploring the power of ideas.
blissful_day's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
5.0
dwarfellie's review against another edition
3.0
A really strange one with the first part not really reading that much like a PKD book. Very philosophical and autobiographical. Also talks a ton about suicide so your mile may vary in terms of if you can deal with that. I liked it, but couldn't recommend it to anyone who wasn't already a big fan.
fleural's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
An interesting trip and set of esoteric truths, Valis by Philip K. Dick examines the nature of reality, madness, existence, and what it means to be human.
thejonran's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
pit's review against another edition
challenging
dark
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
nooker's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
This story was really not what I was looking for. It seems almost an autobiography of sorts as at least 2 of the characters seem to be Philip K. Dick. It also espouses his religious views, which I am thoroughly uninterested in. At one point later in the book it almost got interesting, but he quickly killed that line and reverted back to the dull story line.
jakeyjake's review against another edition
DNF. Got halfway through and still wasn't feeling excited about it. Will come back someday when I'm ready for this phase of PKD
cnadeau's review against another edition
5.0
A perfect mix of metaphysics, schizophernia, obsession, confusion and pulp. Finding out within the first few pages that the two main characters are the same person set the tone for this examination in man's search for meaning and the continued confusing relationship between God and man. One of the few books I've read more than once.