valis

Valis is a science fiction work by Philip K. Dick, originally published in 1981. The title, typically capitalized as VALIS, refers to a central concept within the novel and to a short sequence of later books by Dick that together form a loose thematic trilogy. The work blends autofiction, philosophy, mysticism, and speculative fiction, reflecting Dick’s late-life interests in spirituality and the nature of reality.

In the narrative, VALIS stands for Vast Active Living Intelligence System, a sentient, godlike intelligence that makes contact with the protagonist, Horselover Fat, through visions, dreams, and a luminous tonal atmosphere. Fat’s experiences lead him to question conventional perceptions of history, religion, and truth. The novel interweaves personal biography with philosophical and theological inquiry, and it employs a nonlinear, self-referential style that has been described as both provocative and opaque.

VALIS was followed by two sequels, The Divine Invasion and The Transmigration of Timothy Archangel, which continue the exploration of VALIS as a pervasive,DATA-driven mind influencing human history and spirituality. Collectively, the works examine how belief, perception, and scientific explanation intersect in the search for meaning. The VALIS trilogy has been influential in speculative fiction and in discussions of reality, consciousness, and mysticism within Philip K. Dick’s oeuvre.

Reception of VALIS has been mixed but influential, with acclaim for its ambitious synthesis of theological speculation and science fiction, alongside critique of its dense prose and complex structure. Today, the term VALIS remains a focal point for debates about Dick’s philosophy of life, knowledge, and the possibility of contact with a transcendent intelligence.