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A review by gen_wolfhailstorm
VALIS by Philip K. Dick
5.0
Trigger warnings for suicide!!
Now this was a rollercoaster of book. I'm not sure how eloquently I'll be able to get my thoughts across, but I sure will try.
We were thrown right into the story from the get go and as weird as it was, and not what I was expecting, I knew this would be a novel I'd really enjoy... but perhaps one I wouldn't completely understand! The drt, matter of fact, strangely written humour reminded me of Douglas Adams, but with a far darker narration that I really enjoyed and had a heavy feel of more bizzaro fiction rather than straight up SciFi, in my opinion.
It was certainly a confusing tale but I couldn't help but adore this odd, god deciphering, 1st person (but writing as 3rd person) narrative. It was delightfully weird and even more compelling because of that.
I found myself so caught up with the discussions of space, time and God/gods that I kept forgetting this was a non-fiction science fiction novel. I would say it focused in on Horselover Fat as a character study, but it was more than that.
It was a struggle to put this book down. I found myself constantly thinking "WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT, HOW DO YOU KNOW ALL OF THIS AND WHY DO I FIND THIS SO FASCINATING?!" I mean, Fat's weird name wasn't even the strangest thing about the book! There was just such an overwhelming about of peculiarity that I tried so hard to absorb.
I will admit that the timelines of which was discussed did go over my head a bit, but it really didn't phase me as I just fully enjoyed the journey of this unique storytelling. Fat as a character is so interesting and I legitimately felt blessed to have a small insight whenever he explained things to people that weren't entirely on his wavelength!
About half way in I realised I don't actually know what many of these characters looks like... but I could see them in my head quite vividly. I guess their personalities had portrayed a mental imagery. Or maybe it was Valis that sent me the necessary information... Who knows? Speaking of Valis, it was odd that the actual term wasn't mention until 155 pages in and when it finally was, I was so used to it being referred by a different term that it through me through a hypothetical loop!
I love how a lot of context sounds like random shpeal until its mentioned later and I'm like... ahhh it makes sense!! It's such a complex story. I'm sure I've missed loads but I'm so grateful with what I've managed to get out of this story.
There was the part when the Rhipidon Society met with Sophia and woah.. that child said some creepily intelligent stuff. I particularly liked the part where she said we should no longer look to a deity but believe in our own selves as gods.
I did find that when "Philip" was talking he seemed to be more sensible than "Fat" however the later came out with some deep stuff.
I absolutely adored the questioning of all mythology and religion and how it was included together as one. It's difficult to explain.
It would have been an odd, unsettling ending had I still assumed it was a standalone novel, but knowing its a trilogy has me excited for more... Although ultimately I still believe the ending will be bizarre.
The subject of mental health was strong theme throughout the whole of this, whether directed in conversation or as a strong background influence; it was handled very interestingly indeed.
I always thought The Man in the High Castle (love the tv show) or Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? would be my first read on Philip K. Dick, but I'm so glad I didn't avoid this book to favour the other novels as this was a great introduction to the author and raises the bar for his other works.
Pick it up, give it a go and enjoy! >(^_^)<
Gén
Now this was a rollercoaster of book. I'm not sure how eloquently I'll be able to get my thoughts across, but I sure will try.
We were thrown right into the story from the get go and as weird as it was, and not what I was expecting, I knew this would be a novel I'd really enjoy... but perhaps one I wouldn't completely understand! The drt, matter of fact, strangely written humour reminded me of Douglas Adams, but with a far darker narration that I really enjoyed and had a heavy feel of more bizzaro fiction rather than straight up SciFi, in my opinion.
It was certainly a confusing tale but I couldn't help but adore this odd, god deciphering, 1st person (but writing as 3rd person) narrative. It was delightfully weird and even more compelling because of that.
I found myself so caught up with the discussions of space, time and God/gods that I kept forgetting this was a non-fiction science fiction novel. I would say it focused in on Horselover Fat as a character study, but it was more than that.
It was a struggle to put this book down. I found myself constantly thinking "WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT, HOW DO YOU KNOW ALL OF THIS AND WHY DO I FIND THIS SO FASCINATING?!" I mean, Fat's weird name wasn't even the strangest thing about the book! There was just such an overwhelming about of peculiarity that I tried so hard to absorb.
I will admit that the timelines of which was discussed did go over my head a bit, but it really didn't phase me as I just fully enjoyed the journey of this unique storytelling. Fat as a character is so interesting and I legitimately felt blessed to have a small insight whenever he explained things to people that weren't entirely on his wavelength!
About half way in I realised I don't actually know what many of these characters looks like... but I could see them in my head quite vividly. I guess their personalities had portrayed a mental imagery. Or maybe it was Valis that sent me the necessary information... Who knows? Speaking of Valis, it was odd that the actual term wasn't mention until 155 pages in and when it finally was, I was so used to it being referred by a different term that it through me through a hypothetical loop!
I love how a lot of context sounds like random shpeal until its mentioned later and I'm like... ahhh it makes sense!! It's such a complex story. I'm sure I've missed loads but I'm so grateful with what I've managed to get out of this story.
Spoiler
just as I was trying to understand the Philip and Horselover Fat alter egos it started to click that Philip was his real name and then finally it was explained that Horserlover Fat is a translation for Philip Dick .. So its about the actual author! Omfg I felt so slow but really excited to get it! Literally smirked to myself. Now I understand the shamless plug of his other books! It all makes sense now! The little segment about the author, at the end, brief though it was, really helped solidify the basis of this story.There was the part when the Rhipidon Society met with Sophia and woah.. that child said some creepily intelligent stuff. I particularly liked the part where she said we should no longer look to a deity but believe in our own selves as gods.
I did find that when "Philip" was talking he seemed to be more sensible than "Fat" however the later came out with some deep stuff.
I absolutely adored the questioning of all mythology and religion and how it was included together as one. It's difficult to explain.
It would have been an odd, unsettling ending had I still assumed it was a standalone novel, but knowing its a trilogy has me excited for more... Although ultimately I still believe the ending will be bizarre.
The subject of mental health was strong theme throughout the whole of this, whether directed in conversation or as a strong background influence; it was handled very interestingly indeed.
I always thought The Man in the High Castle (love the tv show) or Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? would be my first read on Philip K. Dick, but I'm so glad I didn't avoid this book to favour the other novels as this was a great introduction to the author and raises the bar for his other works.
Pick it up, give it a go and enjoy! >(^_^)<
Gén