Philip K. Dick: VALIS and Later Novels: A Maze of Death / VALIS / The Divine Invasion / The Transmigration of Timothy Archer (Library of America No. 193) (Hardcover)

~ (Author), Jonathan Lethem (Editor)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

In 2007, Philip K. Dick: Four Novels of the 1960s became the fastest selling title in The Library of America's history. The 2008 companion volume, Five Novels of the1960s & 70s, broke series records for advance sales. Now comes a third and final volume gathering the best novels of Dick's final years, when religious revelation, always important in his work, became a dominant and irresistible theme.

In A Maze of Death (1970), a darkly speculative mystery that foreshadows Dick's final novels, colonists on the planet Delmak-O try to determine the nature of the God-or "Mentufacturer"-who plots their destiny. The late masterpiece VALIS (1981) is a novelistic reworking of "the events of 2-3-74," when Dick's life was transformed by what he believed was a mystical revelation. It is a harrowing self-portrait of a man torn between conflicting interpretations of what might be gnostic illumination or psychotic breakdown. The Divine Invasion (1981), a sequel to VALIS, is a powerful exploration of gnostic insight and its human consequences. The Transmigration of Timothy Archer (1982), Dick's last novel, is by turns theological thriller, roman à clef, and disenchanted portrait of late 1970s California life, based loosely on the controversial career of Bishop James Pike-a close friend and kindred spirit.

About the Author

Jonathan Lethem, editor, is the author of seven novels, including the bestsellers The Fortress of Solitude and Motherless Brooklyn, which won the National Book Critics Circle Award, and, most recently, You Don't Love Me Yet. He is also the author of two short story collections, Men and Cartoons and The Wall of the Sky, the Wall of the Eye, and a collection of essays, The Disappointment Artist. He has edited Philip K. Dick: Four Novels of the 1960s, and Philip K. Dick: Five Novels of the 1960s & 70s, also for The Library of America.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 864 pages
• Publisher: Library of America (July 30, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1598530445
• ISBN-13: 978-1598530445
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.2 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #217,996 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great sample of Dick's later novels built to last., August 30, 2009

By	Dallas Fawson (Salt Lake City, Utah) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Let me start off by saying this is not for people new to Dick: if you want to get one of the LOA volumes to see if you like him, get one of the first two volumes, four novels of the sixties or five novels of the sixties and seventies. This one is more for people who are already a fan and want to become acquainted with his later, weirder writings. A Maze of Death and The Divine Invasion are closer to his traditional stuff, but VALIS and Transmigration are much different. They're just as good as his other stuff, but not very good as starting points. However, if you've read and enjoyed him, it's very interesting to see his religious views (or lack of) in VALIS, and to see he can write something other than Sci-Fi with Transmigration.
I highly recommend buying this collection: It would be cheaper than buying the individual novels and because of the marvelous binding it will surely last.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Essential reading, September 9, 2009

By	D. Merrill - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Philip K. Dick spent most of his life relegated to cult status, often with most of his novels out-of-print. I remember trying to find his work in the 70's and 80's. Back then it seemed far-fetched, paranoid and dystopian in nature, but awesome just the same. Today a lot of his work seems drawn from the headlines of current newspapers and each year his work is held in higher esteem. Yes, we've reached the point of critical overload, where, if you haven't read some of his work, you should. Dick is essential reading for the 21st century.

I'm not sure if I completely agree with the previous reviewer about the need to start with one of the previous volumes. With few exceptions, you can't go wrong with any of Dick's novels. And none of the exceptions are present in any of the Library of the Americas volumes. Perhaps the best idea is to pre-order the box set. If you've never read him before, you are in for a real treat. I envy you. Enjoy!