VALIS

One of Philip K. Dick's later and less-memorable novels proves to be a challenging listen. Tom Weiner helps listeners make sense of it with a solid cadence, strong projection, and much-needed inflection for the often-long tangential philosophical meanderings throughout. The story follows Dick's alter ego, Horselover Fat, as he engages friends and others in trying to make sense of the universe through drugs, inane theories, and specious truths. Weiner's female voices often sound just like a man whispering loudly, and he has a habit of drawing out the last word in a sentence. However, his stern and direct voice helps ground listeners as they make their way through this production. L.E. © AudioFile 2009, Portland, Maine [Published: SEPTEMBER 2009]