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Valis Audiobook
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(3.50) - 24 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
What is VALIS? This question is at the heart of Philip K. Dick’s groundbreaking novel, the first book in his defining trilogy. When a beam of pink light begins giving a schizophrenic man named Horselover Fat (who just might also be known as Philip K. Dick) visions of an alternate Earth where the Roman Empire still reigns, he must decide whether he is crazy or whether a godlike entity is showing him the true nature of the world.
VALIS is essential listening for any true Philip K. Dick fan, a novel that Roberto Bolaño called “more disturbing than any novel by [Carson] McCullers.” By the end, like Dick himself, you will be left wondering what is real, what is fiction, and just what the price is for divine inspiration.
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"A book that questions who we are, what we are doing here, and who the hell is this "God" fellow? Where, according to Dick, "God" is VALIS, who sends signals to the novel's protagonist Horselover Fat. Yes, if you might as guessed it, this novel takes you on a very strange ride. "
— Carrie (4 out of 5 stars)
Valis Listener Reviews
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" Hadn't read this since high school. It's a great, thinly veiled cosmological/mystical thesis--living philosophy without the practicality or posturing of "zen and the art...". Looking forward to revisiting the rest of the trilogy in future bedtimes. "
— Zev, 5/8/2011 -
" Very weird. The first half was God waffle and I almost gave up but from half way through it actually went into more VALIS detail and was far more enjoyable. "
— Tom, 5/3/2011 -
" This is my favorite PKD. Not for everybody. "
— Andy, 4/17/2011 -
" This is an exceptionally trippy novel by the master of the unusual story. I have read this volume several times and I get new depths to the meaning behind it every time. "
— Michael, 4/12/2011 -
" Potentially life-altering. And bloody interesting (well, for those of us with an interest in ontology/theology/utter madness) "
— Aimee, 2/17/2011 -
" So one day PKD read "Breakfast of Champion" and "The Urantia Book" and listened to Rush's "Hemispheres" and dropped some acid and wrote VALIS. <br/> "
— Michael, 2/8/2011 -
" Can I give this NO stars? Gah, I hated this. The ravings of a madman. "
— Kristy, 1/29/2011 -
" Strange narrating to an even stranger story. The only complaint is that the book lost me from time to time .. "
— Janne, 1/12/2011 -
" One of my personal favorites. "
— Vince, 1/12/2011 -
" I did not finish this book. <br/> <br/>I am totally confused by the gibberish in Philip K. Dick's VALIS. I usually give a book 50 pages to make a statement, but 30 pages is enough for me. I cannot even discern a theme or plot to this piece of crap! <br/> <br/>Thanks, but no thanks! "
— Clayton, 12/27/2010 -
" Tedious, like all genuine insanity quickly becomes. "
— Karen, 12/21/2010
About Philip K. Dick
Philip K. Dick (1928–1982) published thirty-six science fiction novels and 121 short stories in which he explored the essence of what makes man human and the dangers of centralized power. Toward the end of his life, his work turned toward deeply personal, metaphysical questions concerning the nature of God. Eleven novels and short stories have been adapted to film, notably Blade Runner (based on Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?), Total Recall, Minority Report, and A Scanner Darkly. The recipient of critical acclaim and numerous awards throughout his career, Dick was inducted into the Science Fiction Hall of Fame in 2005, and in 2007 the Library of America published a selection of his novels in three volumes. His work has been translated into more than twenty-five languages.
About Phil Gigante
Phil Gigante has narrated more than two hundred audiobooks, earning ten AudioFile Earphones Awards and three of the prestigious Audie Awards for best narration. An actor, director, and producer with over twenty years of experience in theater, film, television, and radio, he is currently the artistic director of Gigantic Productions and Little Giant Children’s Theatre.