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dave_peticolas's review against another edition
4.0
Dick writes some crazy stuff. I may need to read this again.
airotciv's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
justamiya's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
drjonty's review against another edition
4.0
Dick does Vonnegut as he strides forth towards some metaphysical goal and barely remembers to write a novel in the process.
aldante666's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
scrooge3's review against another edition
4.0
This review is for my second reading as an ebook.
Well, that was weird--even by Philip K. Dick standards. It's more of a philosophical treatise than a novel. Clearly semi-autobiographical, the distinctions between fact and fiction are quite blurry. The schizophrenic tone established between Horselover Fat and Philip Dick takes some getting used to. Nevertheless, there are a ton of ideas to contemplate, particularly in the realm of religion in society. This book is not for a Philip Dick newbie, but for those familiar with his oeuvre it provides a nice capstone to his body of work and his life.
Well, that was weird--even by Philip K. Dick standards. It's more of a philosophical treatise than a novel. Clearly semi-autobiographical, the distinctions between fact and fiction are quite blurry. The schizophrenic tone established between Horselover Fat and Philip Dick takes some getting used to. Nevertheless, there are a ton of ideas to contemplate, particularly in the realm of religion in society. This book is not for a Philip Dick newbie, but for those familiar with his oeuvre it provides a nice capstone to his body of work and his life.
brendamn's review against another edition
5.0
The major themes which shape VALIS are religion, mental illness and Ancient Greek philosophy. The first half of the book tangles these together in a way that makes for disorienting and chaotic read. Plenty of times I could not tell whether things were going over my head or just weren't meant to make sense in the first place.
It was rough for me to get into, and I wondered if I ever would, whether it be the book itself or just my own shortcoming. When things did start falling into place though it was quite rewarding.
The narration was unique in that it was Philip K. Dick speaking as himself and in third person as his alternate personality. It added an extra element to the book of trying to sort out the autobiographical from complete nonsense at times. It doesn't feel like it was nonsense to him though, I guess just inaccessible to me. It had a real weird intimacy to it as well.
It was rough for me to get into, and I wondered if I ever would, whether it be the book itself or just my own shortcoming. When things did start falling into place though it was quite rewarding.
The narration was unique in that it was Philip K. Dick speaking as himself and in third person as his alternate personality. It added an extra element to the book of trying to sort out the autobiographical from complete nonsense at times. It doesn't feel like it was nonsense to him though, I guess just inaccessible to me. It had a real weird intimacy to it as well.
jer_is_reading's review against another edition
4.0
Reading this book was a complete trip through science fiction, philosophy, theology, and psychology. It is the kind of book that challenges the reader and then leaves you changed. Most good books do this but Valis will do it with a psychedelic flair that is distinctly PKD.