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writegeist's review against another edition
4.0
Definitely worth reading in the same way that the Illuminatus! trilogy is worth ready: for the sheer amazing trip you'll go on sans drugs. PKD has taken a shot to the head by VALIS or is it Horselover Fat? Oh, never mind. Just read it. It's part of his own trilogy... I need a break for a bit before I move on. My head hurts.
theluckyshrimp's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
For certain people, this exploration of mental illness and hopelessness will be incredibly important
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Suicide attempt
bluescreenl1fe's review against another edition
challenging
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
jwhendricks's review against another edition
4.0
"God made my cat stupid."
Endlessly fascinating, meticulously put together. I think its ultimate thesis comes off a little goofier than PKD intended (it's always interesting to me when someone sets out to explain the mysteries of the universe, whether in fiction or not).
Endlessly fascinating, meticulously put together. I think its ultimate thesis comes off a little goofier than PKD intended (it's always interesting to me when someone sets out to explain the mysteries of the universe, whether in fiction or not).
trilbynorton's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Where Radio Free Albemuth is a straightforward and fairly distanced account of PKD's mental breakdown, VALIS is a disorienting attempt to place the reader right in the midst of losing one's mind. There is a sad futility to the book, as PKD recognises that he is going mad but feels powerless to prevent his descent into that madness.
esmeralston's review against another edition
This was hard to read. Something about his writing style I did not like. Cant finish it
cvrvyrvbvrts's review against another edition
challenging
dark
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
5.0
joenicholl's review against another edition
4.0
Valis (1978) by Philip K. Dick. I'm gonna read the Valis trilogy...Valis is book one and presents PKD's Exegesis along with the novel of Phil and his double Horselover Fat. At one point of the story there is five Phil's talking....Phil, Horselover Fat, Phil from the past, and two Phil's from the future! LOL Pretty heavy sci-fi....the next two books are The Divine Invasion (1980), and The Transmigration of Timothy Archer (1982). 3.5 outta 5.0.
creekmo's review against another edition
challenging
funny
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Well that was a trip.
Simultaneously one of the most engrossing and difficult reads i've had in a while. The book does a really convincing job at depicting what i imagine it's like to be losing your mind. It was funny at times and at other times poignant. It played around with philosophical and theistic ideas that border on convincing while also still being wacked out and insane. That must be in a sense what the mental schism must feel like, seeing the rational in the irrational and not being able to stop digging deeper.
There were times where I almost put the book down simply out of disorientation. I wasn't sure what to follow or what information i really needed to take in during some of the denser portions where the main character is expelling a bunch of crazy inner dialogue. I'm glad I persisted, because right past those periods of fog would be really great chapters where it would pay off.
Simultaneously one of the most engrossing and difficult reads i've had in a while. The book does a really convincing job at depicting what i imagine it's like to be losing your mind. It was funny at times and at other times poignant. It played around with philosophical and theistic ideas that border on convincing while also still being wacked out and insane. That must be in a sense what the mental schism must feel like, seeing the rational in the irrational and not being able to stop digging deeper.
There were times where I almost put the book down simply out of disorientation. I wasn't sure what to follow or what information i really needed to take in during some of the denser portions where the main character is expelling a bunch of crazy inner dialogue. I'm glad I persisted, because right past those periods of fog would be really great chapters where it would pay off.