Vision of Tarot

Tarot #2

by Piers Anthony

The wanderer-monk Paul is trapped in a nightmare of dragons, demons, and spectacular lusts as the shimmering Animation curtain storms across the worldscape, changing fantasy into hideous reality.

Genres: Fantasy, Science Fiction, Fiction, Tarot, Science Fiction Fantasy, Ebooks, Speculative Fiction

Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1980

About the author

Though he spent the first four years of his life in England, Piers never returned to live in his country of birth after moving to Spain and immigrated to America at age six. After graduating with a B.A. from Goddard College, he married one of his fellow students and and spent fifteen years in an assortment of professions before he began writing fiction full-time.

Piers is a self-proclaimed environmentalist and lives on a tree farm in Florida with his wife. They have two grown daughters.

Reviews

[Lisa (Harmonybites) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the middle book of the Tarot trilogy, and is no standalone. Like say, Lord of the Rings, the three books are really one novel, not three novels with the same world and characters, so you should really read God of Tarot first. Brother Paul of the Holy Order of Vision is a monk on a future Earth that has expanded to the stars. He's sent by the head of his order to investigate reports that God has appeared on the planet Tarot. The previous book was framed by the first 9 trump cards of the Tarot, this novel is framed by the 11 more trump cards. I discovered this trilogy in my teens right around the time I became fascinated with the Tarot. I'm really the opposite of a New Ager, and don't believe any deck of cards have powers or that the tarot cards have a mystical past going back to Egypt, but I loved the art and symbols of it all, so I adored how Anthony played with it and religious and spiritual themes.

[Leanna Aker · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this, as I am hooked on Piers Anthony. However, I think this book would have been more enjoyable if I had a knowledge of: 1) Tarot cards 2) World religions. At times this read like a history text, and it slowed me way down.

Having said that, Anthony is a master at imagery. Some of the imagery is shocking, but you want to keep reading. The majority of this book is spent with Brother Paul in animation. Still highly recommended.

[Justaskibum · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting read, thoughtful and visual at the same time, I found the thoughts expressed about world religions to be very insightful, I may at some point come back to this book so that I can learn more from the ideas expressed in this book.

[David Leemon · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some Piers Anthony books are good. Some not so good.

This one drags in the middle with what is essentially a lengthy exposition of his views on education, which suffocates the main character's extended flashback of his own hippie-style college education. That's not the only extended part of the book that drags, but I eventually got through it.

The part in Hell is interesting.

I recommend this book only for those who want to read all of Piers Anthony's books, or for those who are so entranced by the woman on the cover that they have to have it, and for the latter, just because you have it doesn't mean you have to read it.

[Michael Pilgaard · Rating 1 out of 5]

More talk with the Tarot animations. Boring!

[Kathryn · Rating 1 out of 5]

Vision of Tarot is refreshingly free of Piers Anthony's usual digressions on boobies (I sometimes wonder if it has ever occurred to him that he might have female readers...), but that’s about all it has to offer. This is the middle of three books about a planet called Tarot, on which members of many competing religious sects live. The main character, Brother Paul, is from Earth, and he has been sent to Tarot to try to find its God. The way to find God is to go into Animations, which appear to be mystical spots on Tarot that cause people to have very detailed visions. Or something.

I might understand the plot a little better had I read the first book, but frankly, I’m not really interested. As usual, the main character is an avatar for Anthony, and this book is really about his own search for God. I might be interested had he prosecuted the search in anything resembling an honest fashion, but he has done little more than repeat the tired canards you can read in any religion-related thread on the internet. So, if those threads are your cup of tea, then pick up this book. Otherwise, skip it.

[Michael · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’ve tried reading this book twice, once when I was a teenager, and once as an adult, and both times I concluded that I wasn’t interested in finishing the series. I’m not certain whether I finished the book (probably I did, the first time). Looking at it now, I’m not certain why I lost interest, but I think it has more to do with how much promise the first book in the series (God of Tarot) seemed to hold, and how disappointing this was by comparison.

I do remember that the second time I read it one of the things that excited me about the first book was the idea of crafting a fantasy narrative that paralleled the tarot deck, and that part of what let me down about this volume is that Anthony decided to abandon that and re-write the tarot to suit his own purposes. I’m not certain that would offend me as much today (I’ve grown more tolerant about such things), but I’m also not sure I want to plow through Anthony’s prose again when there are so many better things to read.

[Karen-Leigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the middle book of the Tarot trilogy, and is no standalone. Like say, Lord of the Rings, the three books are really one novel, not three novels with the same world and characters, so you should really read God of Tarot first. Brother Paul of the Holy Order of Vision is a monk on a future Earth that has expanded to the stars. He's sent by the head of his order to investigate reports that God has appeared on the planet Tarot. The previous book was framed by the first 9 trump cards of the Tarot, this novel is framed by the 11 more trump cards. I discovered this trilogy in my teens right around the time I became fascinated with the Tarot. I'm really the opposite of a New Ager, and don't believe any deck of cards have powers or that the tarot cards have a mystical past going back to Egypt, but I loved the art and symbols of it all, so I adored how Anthony played with it and religious and spiritual themes.

[Kirk Burris · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a darker series for Anthony, and challenges religious beliefs and faiths. I would not recommend this for younger readers, who aren't yet grounded in their own religious beliefs. It contains deep thoughts, and I believe some pretty hard core sex scenes if I recall correctly, though it's been a lot of years. That said, if you're older and want a good read that explores complex notions of religion and philosophy, then this one was pretty good. Make sure you're well grounded before diving in.

[Jay · Rating 3 out of 5]

Part two has Paul trying to find god through religion. His visions take him to various times and places and bring up some interesting thoughts. All of it still mapped against the symbolism of the tarot deck. It makes a pleasant read and shows some of the various thoughts on religion. Nothing really new or mind boggling, though.

[Kristen (belles_bookshelves) · Rating 3 out of 5]

"The ultimate truth can be found in one's own heart."

Xanth: two worlds, one has magic, one doesn't
Photon: two worlds, one has science, one magic
Tarot: two worlds, one has religion, one tarot

Anthony really has one type of fake world to make and he just runs with it full speed.

[Jeffrey · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is not my favorite Anthony series.

[Nenangs · Rating 2 out of 5]

Weird fantasy book from Piers Anthony.
Definitely not of Xanth Class.

[SciFiOne]

Book Ct2

[Shawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Young adult 10-15

[Dave Peticolas · Rating 3 out of 5]

[Little Timmy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm not a big fan of this series. Piers Anthony like Stephen King seems to go hot or cold with me and this was definitely a cold one. Not recommended

[Michael Schulz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Strange but good.

[Sydnee Leung · Rating 1 out of 5]

Got this book from the neighbourhood free giveaway. No wonder people chuck this away.

[Asa · Rating 1 out of 5]

When the veil between worlds lifts just long enough for philosophy, fantasy, and groan-worthy wordplay to stage an awkward threesome.

[Keri · Rating 1 out of 5]

I would definitely not recommend this series. It was hard to get through it.

[Nancy Raines]

Tarot #2