The Transmigration of Timothy Archer, the final novel in the trilogy that also includes Valis and The Divine Invasion, is an anguished, learned, and very moving investigation of the paradoxes of belief. It is the story of Timothy Archer, an urbane Episcopal bishop haunted by the suicides of his son and mistress--and driven by them into a bizarre quest for the identity of Christ.
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The Transmigration of Timothy Archer: Valis Series, Book 3
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About the Author
One of the greatest authors of the 20th century, with a career spanning 3 decades and 36 science fiction novels and 121 short stories. Eleven novels and short stories have been adapted to film; notably: Blade Runner, Total Recall, Minority Report, and A Scanner Darkly. Dick won the Hugo Award in 1963 and was inducted into the SF Hall of Fame in 2005, and in 2007 he was the first science fiction to be published by the Library of America.
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By Doug Mackey
Format:Paperback
Dick's last novel was completed in 1981 and published posthumously the following year. It is one of his finest achievements, and a triumphant return to realistic, mainstream writing, albeit with fantastic elements. Many fascinating conversations on philosophy, theology, and literature become the central focus of the book, as opposed to diversions from the plot. The play of ideas is compelling because it emanates from the life-and-death concerns of the characters, whose believability and humanity are perhaps greater than anywhere in Dick's writing. The book is loosely based on the life of Episcopal Bishop James A. Pike, whom Dick knew. Like Pike, Bishop Timothy Archer is a seeker for truth who questions the Church's doctrine, favoring instead a direct revelation. Archer becomes embroiled in the occult when all manner of table-tappings and stopped clocks are taken as signals from his son Jeff, who committed suicide (like Pike's son in real life). The real redeeming center of the novel is its narrator, the bishop's daughter-in-law Angel Archer. Hers is a story of spiritual transformation and freedom from bitterness and self-absorption. The resolution is not one of certainty about the mysteries of the afterlife or of the higher realities around us, but of hope and trust in the possibilities of redemption no matter where we find ourselves in the lower realms of experience.
Format:Paperback
I have read the other reviews of this book and, quite frankly, they all missed the point of this book. To start with it is written from the female perspective, which is not an easy task for a man, and yet PKD pulls it off briliantly. This is not a book about Dick trying to run his snobbery down our throats but an insightful and emotionally touching perspective of a man pursuing truth, with a zeal that leads to his death, as viewed by another party (female). Indeed, its very core reflects the Bible's condemnation of pride proceeding the fall, mixed with the emotional tenderness that Mary must have felt when she witnessed her sons death from pursuing his ideals. Dick began an introspective search for a meaning of God after his encounter with Valis, continued the journey, in The Divine Invasion, with a discussion of the modern God of the New Testament versus the ancient gods that existed before humans adapted monotheism, finishing with Transmigration. Don't pass this book over because you will miss Dick's best writing before he died. I also recommend Eye in the Sky and Clans of the Alphane Moon as two more of PKD's brilliance and humor.
Format:Paperback
PKD is known for his relentlessly subversive, creative, and disturbing novels of horrific sci-fi futures, but as he neared the end of his career he fancied himself a theological sophisticate. This final book before his death is incorrectly described as part of the Valis Trilogy, when in fact it is not directly related to those books (which weren't really a trilogy anyway but more like three interconnected examinations of similar themes). The true trio consists of this book's two predecessors, *Valis* and *The Divine Invasion*, plus the posthumous *Radio Free Albemuth* which is the best of the three. Sadly, while not closely related, this book continues the weaknesses of those other recent PKD novels with none of the intrigue or interest. In chapter 15 here, a character criticizes another character as having a thinking style that goes everywhere and nowhere. Well that sure is the pot calling the kettle black, because it perfectly describes this book and PKD's writing style in the end.
Here we have yet another directionless and interminable overload of disconnected philosophical ideas, indicating only the unfocused nature of PKD's personal readings and research at the time. Obviously he was on a personal religious quest to find his own deeper meanings and answers, but you can see that his quest was unfocused and inconclusive. Here we have a book that is overflowing with so many obscure theological and literary references (sometimes in other languages) that you say "enough already." The poorly constructed characters usually don't converse but embark on never-ending monologues that go on and on with directionless philosophizing. That goes especially for Timothy Archer himself, who is so longwinded and didactic that he couldn't possibly find anyone to talk to in real life. I hope that PKD found some sort of personal reward through writing this book, because there is no reward for the bored and exasperated reader. Many of PKD's dozens of other books (especially in the middle years of his career) make up a far better legacy to an often brilliant writer.
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4.2 out of 5 stars
Most recent customer reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Praising the sacred cow.
First off, I liked this book immensely. It had brilliant ideas about human nature and the origins of religious faith. Read more
Published on Dec 13 2002 by Gordon Smith
2.0 out of 5 stars
Thoroughly Disappointing
I have to say I am a huge PKD fan, and have read just about all of his books. And before you dismiss this review, know that I read and enjoyed Valis and The Divine Invasion,... Read more
Published on Aug 10 2002 by Winston J. Pennyworth III
2.0 out of 5 stars
Thoroughly Disappointing
I have to say I am a huge PKD fan, and have read just about all of his books. And before you dismiss this review, know that I read and enjoyed Valis and The Divine Invasion,... Read more
Published on Aug 10 2002 by Winston J. Pennyworth III
2.0 out of 5 stars
Concept without form
Timothy Archer is not the saint that he should be. Dick tells us that he is a widely-published bishop, respected the world over, who is in the business of saving souls. Read more
Published on Dec 1 2001 by Jhon
5.0 out of 5 stars
Based on the" true" story of Bishop Pike
Well first let me say that this is a great book.Much easier to get into than Valis. However,the thing that I want to bring to potential readers is that this story is basically... Read more
Published on July 6 2001 by J. Balfoort
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Most Accessible of the "Valis" Novels
Although considered part of the Valis Trilogy, The Transmigration of Timothy Archer stands on it's own. Read more
Published on Jun 30 2001 by Bill R. Moore
5.0 out of 5 stars
One of his best and most readable
Unlike "VALIS" and "The Divine Invasion", this novel dispenses with science fiction apparatus in its examination of religious and philosophical issues. Read more
Published on April 26 2001 by C. S. Junker
5.0 out of 5 stars
TIGHTLY WOVEN
The Transmigration of Timothy Archer is the third book of four that make up PKD's VALIS series. The fourth book is RADIO FREE ALBEMUTH, a posthumeous work. Read more
Published on Mar 28 2001 by EMAN NEP
5.0 out of 5 stars
Love, Death, and PKD
TTA has very little to do with either Valis or the Divine Invasion, despite it supposedly being the third in the Valis Trilogy. Read more
Published on Feb 9 2000 by Guy Salvidge
3.0 out of 5 stars
Bizarre
Not for the easily offended Christian.
It's an engaging read, though at times it bogs down in its psychological ramblings. Read more
Published on Nov 23 1999 by Fosky Bob
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