• CitizenKong@lemmy.world
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      8 months ago

      He was also deeply paranoid and delusional, since he was high on speed most of the time. Don’t see “blindly supporting police” in his works actually, any form of authority is usually portrayed of having bad intentions. Although his protagonists are often some form of cop, they are usually in conflict with their colleagues in some form.

    • NigelFrobisher@aussie.zone
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      8 months ago

      Most of his novels are basically bog standard 1950s sci-fi, but with the weird metaphysical twist that completely turns everything on its side by the end. The characters are empty vessels, but it probably doesn’t matter.

    • flambonkscious@sh.itjust.works
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      8 months ago

      The guy wrote some mind-bending shit, for sure, but the world is a very different place from the 60s (when he wrote do androids dream, for example)

      • Agent641@lemmy.world
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        8 months ago

        Valis is very upsetting if you understand Phil’s upbringing, history with drugs and counter-culture, home life and his abusive relationship with sanity.