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Cover of The Transmigration of Timothy Archer by Philip K. DickThe Transmigration of Timothy Archer
Classic · Fiction, Classics, Fantasy

The Transmigration of Timothy Archer

by Philip K. Dick
1982 · 252 pages · Fiction
56.8Must-Read
Score Classic
Critics' pick
≈ 6 hours to read · about 2 weeks at 30 minutes a day

What it's about

In 1980s Berkeley, Angel Archer looks back on the deaths of her husband, Jeff, and of his father, Timothy Archer, a brilliant, radical Episcopal bishop based on James Pike. After his son's suicide, the bishop becomes obsessed with communicating with the dead and with ancient scrolls that may undermine Christianity.

Why it's worth reading

It was a Nebula finalist. It's Philip K. Dick's last, most realistic novel.

You'll love it if you liked

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Good to know

It's talky and philosophical, with little science fiction.

By the numbers

56.8Must-Read Score
  • Readers25 out of 100 · counts 42%
  • Critics24 out of 100 · counts 34% (its stronger lane)
  • Bestseller9 out of 100 · counts 14%
  • Buzz0 out of 100 · counts 10%

Critics and Bestseller are two ways to earn a place: a book's stronger one counts more. Buzz rewards recent bestseller weeks and prizes, so older books start at zero. The parts combine into the Must-Read Score, shown on a scale where the best book we found scores 99 and the last book to make the ranking scores 50.

Where it ranks

Why it made the list

Shortlisted
Nebula Award finalist (1982)

Reads as

Adventurous, Thought-provoking

How we rank

Already read it? Upload your Goodreads or StoryGraph history and get the 50 best books you haven't read, tuned to your taste.Get my 50

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Explore the best-of lists

All 36 best-of lists →
Fantasy booksTop 25 · 459 rankedClassic booksTop 25 · 762 rankedBooks of the 1980sTop 25 · 202 rankedMysteries and thrillersTop 25 · 555 rankedLiterary novelsTop 25 · 309 rankedMemoirs and biographiesTop 25 · 290 rankedScience fiction booksTop 25 · 313 rankedRomancesTop 25 · 233 ranked

Quick answers

Is The Transmigration of Timothy Archer worth reading?

Yes. It was a Nebula finalist. It ranks #2,623 of the 2,816 books in our ranking, with a Must-Read Score of 56.8 (the best book we found scores 99).

What is The Transmigration of Timothy Archer about?

In 1980s Berkeley, Angel Archer looks back on the deaths of her husband, Jeff, and of his father, Timothy Archer, a brilliant, radical Episcopal bishop based on James Pike. After his son's suicide, the bishop becomes obsessed with communicating with the dead and with ancient scrolls that may undermine Christianity.

How long does it take to read The Transmigration of Timothy Archer?

About 6 hours (252 pages), or about 2 weeks at 30 minutes a day.

What should I read after The Transmigration of Timothy Archer?

If you liked it, try Ubik by Philip K. Dick, The Second Coming by Walker Percy or The Evolution of God by Robert Wright.