Valis, by PKD

[PufPuf23]

3. Re-read VALIS and Radio Free Albemuth in last 4 days.

Agree with Pitohui that Radio Free Albemuth is an easier read than VALIS and is also less theological and more political.

Both are based upon PKDs pink light experience in Feb/March 1974 and subsequent ponderings in PKD's Exegesis. According to the Sutin bio, VALIS was written in 1978 and published in 1981 so RFA must have been written in the 1977-1978 timeframe and was published in 1985.

The plot of RFA is to undermine and expose the USA's tyrannical President Ferris F Freemont with the help of VALIS. PKD is prescient in that in FFF (666) proceeds Ronald Reagan (also a 666) by several years and the Homeland Security state of the present (including extra-legal indefinite detention and summary killing for political activity). Aramchek is the Al Quiada of RFA.

IMO the Sutin bio is the best reference work on PKD but came out in 1984 (PKD died in 1982) and doesn't cover the novels posted after Transmigration except the manuscripts and when written. Also, even with Bladerunner, no one could have seen at the time the many adaptions of PKDs novels and short stories into movies.There was a page 1 WSJ article a decade or so ago that stated at that time that there were more PKD novels and stories on option for movies for more money than any author. RFA is a completed film that has been shown at several festivals and is scheduled for release in 2012.