Valis

VALIS is a 1981 science fiction book by Philip K. Dick. The title is an acronym for Vast Active Living Intelligence System, Dick's gnostic vision of one aspect of God. VALIS is the first book in a trilogy that represents Dick's last major work before he died.

Main characters

• Phil Dick: narrator
• Horselover Fat: narrator, science fiction writer
• Gloria Knudson: suicidal friend of Fat's
• Kevin: friend of Fat's, skeptic
• Sherri Solvig: Fat's friend, dying from lymphatic cancer
• David: catholic friend of Fat's
• Zebra: pure energy, discorporate, the Logos, living information, the "plasmate", "God"; communicates with Fat
• VALIS: title of an American science fiction film, appears as a satellite, controls reality, synonymous with Zebra (see The Man Who Fell to Earth)
• Eric Lampton: rock star, screenwriter, actor, aka "Mother Goose"
• Linda Lampton: actress
• Brent Mini: electronic composer