VALIS (1981) by Philip K. Dick

Far from being just a science-fiction author, Dick was also something of a mystic, having undergone numerous paranormal and spiritual experiences throughout his life. Part-autobiographical, VALIS explores the nature of reality from a Gnostic point of view, with the title standing for “Vast Active Living Intelligence System.” Dick claimed that in 1974 he was contacted by a mysterious intelligence in the form of a “pink beam” of light that induced a series of visions involving geometric patterns and glimpses into the true nature of reality. Whether true or merely hallucinatory, the experiences proved so inspirational and transformative to Dick that he ended up penning two other VALIS-themed novels: The Divine Invasion (1980) and The Transmigration of Timothy Archer (1982). Louis Proud