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Rating: «We also have our own Borges here in America, and we didn't even realize it» Ursula Le Guin
"The Valis Trilogy" represents the visionary and mystical culmination of the extraordinary literary career of Philip K. Dick. Although the masterpieces of the '60s are often considered the peak of his genius, the final trilogy testifies to the extraordinary creative power of the author until the last days of his life. While some may doubt whether Dick reached the pinnacle of his narrative with these last works, I personally believe that the Valis Trilogy constitutes his spiritual testament and the tangible proof of his extraordinary imagination. Through works like "Valis," "The Divine Invasion," and "The Transmigration of Timothy Archer," Dick drags us into a universe steeped in mystery, philosophy, and spirituality, demonstrating once and for all his extraordinary storytelling talent and his ability to explore the depths of the human psyche.
VALIS
"VALIS," the first book of the eponymous trilogy by Philip K. Dick, represents a milestone in the author's narrative, taking us into the labyrinth of his visionary and mystical mind. Dick, in this final phase of his career, exposes an ontological vision of the world, intertwining elements of his mystical experience with a reworking of the principles of Gnosticism, apocryphal gospels, and Platonic philosophy. The novel follows the story of Horselover Fat, a schizophrenic protagonist immersed in the mysteries of Gnostic Christianity and the revelations of an enigmatic pink laser beam that manifests as a divine entity. Dick plunges us into a "theological detective story," in which the divine merges with the fabric of reality, creating an atmosphere suspended between the real and the illusory. "VALIS" presents itself as a journey through the depths of the human mind, with Dick questioning his own mental sanity, inviting the reader to ponder the nature of reality itself. It's a complex work, dense with hidden meanings and philosophical reflections, that fascinates and destabilizes the reader, dragging them into a whirlpool of doubts and suggestions. The work is imbued with an eclectic and in-depth research by Dick, who skillfully mixes abstract and unconventional ideas, bringing to mind authors like Kesey and Lovecraft. The presence of David Bowie in a brief appearance adds further allure to the novel, enriching its narrative fabric with a touch of mystery and glamour. "VALIS" can be considered one of the pinnacles of Philip K. Dick's production, a novel that perplexes, fascinates, and intrigues, offering the reader a unique perspective on the nature of reality and human existence. If you love Dick's style and are ready to immerse yourself in a journey of discovery and reflection, "VALIS" is undoubtedly an essential read. "VALIS" is more than a novel: it is a mystical experience, a spell woven with threads of gold and silver, a siren song that lures us toward the unknown. In this labyrinth of mirrors and reflections, we lose ourselves and find ourselves, discovering new dimensions of the soul and the universe. If you are ready to be carried away by the currents of fate, if you have the courage to face the unknown with open eyes and a burning heart, then "VALIS" awaits you, ready to unveil the secrets of the universe and the human mind.
THE DIVINE INVASION
In the labyrinth of eternity, where time bends upon itself and deities hide among the folds of the universe, Philip K. Dick takes us on an epic journey across the boundaries of human existence. In "The Divine Invasion," the author questions humanity's fate in the presence of an exiled God on a remote planet, a being called Yah. In this magnificent fusion of Judaism, Kabbalah, Zoroastrianism, and Christianity, Dick transports us into a cosmic fable, where the struggle between the divine and the mechanical rationality of the contemporary world unfolds on an intergalactic stage. Through the mists of time and space, we encounter a return to the roots of science fiction, as the delicate thread of the narrative leads us toward the lost utopias and otherworldly colonies of the author's youthful myth. In this new variation on the theme of divinity and mystical experience, Dick skillfully weaves autobiographical elements with a typically sci-fi plot. The mysterious "pink beam," time suspended in 70 A.D., and the idea of God as information return like the notes of a cosmic symphony, while Valis, the alien deity, sends into the human world a memoryless son, challenging fate with its uncertainties and ambiguities. "The Divine Invasion" is a metaphysical epic, a journey through the galaxies of imagination and philosophical speculation. Dick invites us to explore the boundaries of the unknown, to challenge the conventions of reality, and to embrace the mystery of human existence. In a universe where stars burn like lanterns of hope and worlds intertwine like threads of a cosmic tapestry, we immerse ourselves in an enveloping narrative that pushes us beyond the limits of our understanding. With his visionary and suggestive prose, Dick takes us on a journey through the folds of time and space, seeking ultimate truth and the redemption of the soul. "The Divine Invasion" is a masterpiece of science fiction and philosophy, a work that challenges us to look beyond the horizon of imagination and to embrace the miracle of existence itself.
THE TRANSMIGRATION OF TIMOTHY ARCHER
The novel opens in 1980, on the day of John Lennon's assassination, an event marking the beginning of a deep reflection on human nature and the spiritual quest. The writer takes us on a profound and moving journey through the labyrinths of faith and human existence. It is a realistic novel. This final work of the trilogy is an anguished and erudite investigation into the paradoxes of religion, a fascinating exploration of the roots of the human soul and the divine mystery. The novel introduces us to Timothy Archer, an Episcopal bishop tormented by the tragic events of life, the shadows of his son's and lover's suicides, which drive him toward an obsessive search for the identity of Christ and the secrets of faith. Through the eyes of Angel Archer, the bishop's daughter-in-law, we delve into the depths of his mind and heart, witnessing his inner journey and his struggle to find meaning in a world marked by pain and uncertainty. Dick paints a fresco of vast proportions, weaving autobiographical details and suggestions from his life into the figure of Timothy Archer, loosely inspired by his friendship with the Episcopal bishop James Pike. James Albert Pike was an American Episcopal bishop, accused of heresy, writer, and one of the first major religious figures to regularly appear on television. Jim Pike passed away under unclear circumstances in Israel in 1969, while searching for his own truth. In "The Transmigration of Timothy Archer," Dick abandons the usual narrative structure of his novels, opting for a first-person narration through the eyes of Angel Archer. This choice gives the novel a unique depth and intensity, allowing the reader to fully immerse themselves in the souls of the characters and the existential dilemmas that torment them. This work challenges the boundaries of reason and human understanding, shedding light on the mysteries of existence and the eternal quest for truth. Through his touching and penetrating prose, Dick invites us to explore the depths of the human soul and to question the ultimate meaning of life and faith. "The Transmigration of Timothy Archer" is a masterpiece of philosophy and introspection, a work that leaves an indelible mark on the heart and mind of the reader, offering a profound and sincere vision of the human experience and its relationship with the divine. It is also his last book.
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