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Summary: The Most Accessible of the "Valis" Novels
Review: Although considered part of the Valis Trilogy, The Transmigration of Timothy Archer stands on it's own. Unlike the first two books, this book is highly readable and the prose is excellent. It actually reads quite smoothly, though the issues concerned within are just profound as in the first two books. Towards the end of his career, Philip K. Dick focused highly on theological issues in his fiction, and this might be the apex of that writing. Few writers could have pulled this book off; few, indeed, would have even tried. Unlike most PKD books, and certainly the first two of Valis, continually shift their realities and gradually reveal shocking plot twists... this book does not. The plot is coherent, the message is clear. It's a shame that Dick died just as he was writing at his most lucid. He will be missed. Read this book.
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Summary: Dick's last novel, a vision of redemption
Review: 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.
Rating: 
Summary: Praising the sacred cow.
Review: First off, I liked this book immensely. It had brilliant ideas about human nature and the origins of religious faith. It was more humanistic than most Dick novels, something sorely lacking in some, but it still uses the ideas to move the characters, which is never good. Here, the characters are made out to be the originators, not just instruments of the ideas, so it does make some sense that they would be motivated to follow the ideas wherever they lead. It's just that this motion tends to turn the characters into robotic true-believers, and thus instruments of the plot. I don't mean to dis, cause PKD is a brilliant thinker, and damned if I could do a better job, I'm just saying that there are unfortunate flaws in his writing style that make him a little less fun to read than say Robert Anton Wilson. Or Tom Robbins. Or Kurt Vonnegut. Or Chuck Palahniuk. Or... nevermind. This is a very good book!
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Summary: Dick's Final Book
Review: I can understand why some readers haven't warmed to this book. It is certainly atypical of Dick's usual style and packed with Berkeley intellectual theories. I anknowledge that certain sections of the book feel a little tedious, yet they are utterly justified. This becomes apparent when Barefoot tells Angel Archer (the narrator) she has the same affliction that the Bishop unknowingly endured during his lifetime ('Flatus vocis' - or 'empty noise'). Apparently, Dick himself felt the need to justify the events in his life (such as the early death of his twin sister Jane) in much broader temporal/religious/cosmological terms. The same is true of 2 of central characters in this book. Very often it appears that their quotations and theories amount to little more than empty words.
At the heart of this book is a strong story and superbly drawn characters, slightly similiar to some of those explored in CONFESSIONS OF A CRAP ARTIST. Once you strip away the majority of the Bishop's tedious rants and quotations, you a left with a masterpiece about the impact of death on those left behind.
Sadly, when writing this, the author was on the brink of death himself.
Rating:
Summary: The best, and most accessible, of Philip Dick's works.
Review: I had read the first two books in PKD's 'trilogy', and so when I picked ths one up I was expecting another confusing muddle of religion-meets-drugs. I couldn't have been more wrong. While religion and drugs (in this case, a psychedelic mushroom representing both) are a central theme, this book is much more down-to-earth and understandable by the average reader. Gone are the hallucinations, the schizophrenia, the strange futuristic alien settings. What's left is a few average (yet extroardinary) people, struggling to cope with difficult events in their own private ways. This book made me think more than any other book I've ever read, and PKD's message comes across far more clearly than in his other novels, simply because the things in this book could happen to any of us. My all-time favorite novel, and an excellent book no matter what genres you prefer.
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Summary: Other Reviews Missed The Point
Review: 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.
Rating: 
Summary: Thoroughly Disappointing
Review: 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, precursors to this book, the third in the series. But, sadly, this book just was not the vintage Dick classic that Ubik, or A Scanner Darkly was. In fact, I was disgusted with this book, and to date, I have loved every one of Dick's books, even the more obscure ones (Galactic Pot Healer). Though Ubik and my personal favorite Now Wait For Last Year had a strong, cohesive plot littered with welcome digressions and departures, I can't help thinking that Transmigration was just one long digression lacking any sort of structure, and without the strong and interesting characters in Dick's other books. With a slew of obscure references to various operas, epic poems, and other pieces of the impotent intellectual vangaurd, it seemed Dick was trying to prove to us his cultural superiority and sophistication. And that is not the Philip K. Dick I know and admire. I suppose if you feel compelled to read everything that Dick has written, then read this, but do yourself a favor and borrow it because it is not a book that you will want to re-read.
Rating:
Summary: Thoroughly Disappointing
Review: 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, precursors to this book, the third in the series. But, sadly, this book just was not the vintage Dick classic that Ubik, or A Scanner Darkly was. In fact, I was disgusted with this book, and to date, I have loved every one of Dick's books, even the more obscure ones (Galactic Pot Healer). Though Ubik and my personal favorite Now Wait For Last Year had a strong, cohesive plot littered with welcome digressions and departures, I can't help thinking that Transmigration was just one long digression lacking any sort of structure, and without the strong and interesting characters in Dick's other books. With a slew of obscure references to various operas, epic poems, and other pieces of the impotent intellectual vangaurd, it seemed Dick was trying to prove to us his cultural superiority and sophistication. And that is not the Philip K. Dick I know and admire. I suppose if you feel compelled to read everything that Dick has written, then read this, but do yourself a favor and borrow it because it is not a book that you will want to re-read.
Rating: 
Summary: Bizarre
Review: Not for the easily offended Christian. It's an engaging read, though at times it bogs down in its psychological ramblings. Like VALIS & The Divine Invasion, this book examines what we consider to be reality. Radio Free Albumuth is a better examination of the same topic.
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Summary: Thinking That Goes Everywhere and Nowhere
Review: 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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