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| 3 out of 5 stars |
Well, that was weird. If literature is a way for us to commune with
the minds of others, I guess those others don’t necessarily need to be
sane. In fact, Philip K. Dick (and his alter ego, Horselover Fat) are
both pretty up front about the fact that he/they are not mentally well.
Despite his mental illness and years of drug use, Dick can write! VALIS seems to be his dissertation on his mental illness and it is a pretty lucid and rational analysis of his own state. It kept me reading for 271 pages despite the fact that hardly anything actually happens. A vast portion of the book happens only in the author’s head, thinking about his theories about nature of the world, religion, and life and musing on his personal visions. He reveals himself as a philosopher and a student of religion who has obsessively studied more texts that I ever knew existed.
Many people call this the master work of PKD. I still don’t know how I feel about that—it is certainly his manifesto. I find it interesting that he was repeatedly advised to “give up dope and stop trying to help other people.” I’ve never had the dope issue, but I do remember avoiding my own troubles by poking my nose into other people’s business—and like PKD’s therapists, I do not recommend this line of avoidance. Despite the fact that it is easier than tackling you own issues and gives you a feeling of virtue for “helping” others. Much better to tackle your problems head on and let others do the same.
I will take with me this truth from page 80: “Reality is that which when you stop believing in it, it doesn’t go away.”
Despite his mental illness and years of drug use, Dick can write! VALIS seems to be his dissertation on his mental illness and it is a pretty lucid and rational analysis of his own state. It kept me reading for 271 pages despite the fact that hardly anything actually happens. A vast portion of the book happens only in the author’s head, thinking about his theories about nature of the world, religion, and life and musing on his personal visions. He reveals himself as a philosopher and a student of religion who has obsessively studied more texts that I ever knew existed.
Many people call this the master work of PKD. I still don’t know how I feel about that—it is certainly his manifesto. I find it interesting that he was repeatedly advised to “give up dope and stop trying to help other people.” I’ve never had the dope issue, but I do remember avoiding my own troubles by poking my nose into other people’s business—and like PKD’s therapists, I do not recommend this line of avoidance. Despite the fact that it is easier than tackling you own issues and gives you a feeling of virtue for “helping” others. Much better to tackle your problems head on and let others do the same.
I will take with me this truth from page 80: “Reality is that which when you stop believing in it, it doesn’t go away.”
Hi Wanda
ReplyDeleteI read this years ago and really enjoyed it . I also read and enjoyed Radio Free Albemuth which Wkipedia claims is an earlier version of Valis. I don't recall that so I may have to read them . I actually like Dick's Ace doubles, gasp, like the World Jones Made and Solar Lottery so I may not be a discerning critic.
Guy
There's a lot to enjoy in Dick's repertoire. He was a prolific author despite (or maybe because of?) his problems. I've only read a few of his works, but will probably seek out more eventually.
DeleteNice to hear from you!