One sentence summary: After the suicide of his friend, a schizophrenic novelist writes of himself and his alter ego, questioning reality, existence, and the possibility of multiple universes.

VALIS explores what a lot of Dick’s later works explore: the nature of reality and god, the possibility of multiple versions of this reality and others, and a fear “The Roman Empire Never Ended.” The main focus the book is the belief there are two timelines on top of one another (like a double-exposed photograph), and follows the characters’ encounter with another group who believe: a rock star and his wife who believe their child is the new messiah.

Definitely a heady read, and a bit difficult to follow at times. Also very repetitive.