description VALIS Overview
VALIS is a 1981 science fiction novel by American author Philip K. Dick that serves as a semi-autobiographical exploration of his own religious and philosophical experiences. The title is an acronym for Vast Active Living Intelligence System, a satellite or god-like entity that transmits information to the protagonist. The narrative delves deeply into Gnosticism, theology, and the nature of reality through the perspective of two interconnected characters.
It appeals to readers of metaphysical science fiction.
help VALIS FAQ
What does VALIS stand for in Philip K. Dick's novel?
VALIS stands for Vast Active Living Intelligence System. In the 1981 novel, it describes a mysterious intelligence that may be a satellite, a divine force, or both.
Who is Horselover Fat in VALIS?
Horselover Fat is a fictional alter ego of Philip K. Dick and the central consciousness through which the novel explores revelation and mental illness. The split between Fat and Phil is one of the book's main metafictional devices.
Which books are connected to the VALIS trilogy?
The commonly published trilogy consists of VALIS from 1981, The Divine Invasion from 1981, and The Transmigration of Timothy Archer from 1982. Radio Free Albemuth is closely related because Dick wrote it earlier, but it was published posthumously in 1985.
How autobiographical is VALIS?
The novel draws heavily on Philip K. Dick's religious and philosophical experiences in 1974. It turns those experiences into a fictional investigation involving Horselover Fat, divine information, and the nature of reality.
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