Reviews

The Lathe of Heaven by Ursula K. Le Guin

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exorcismemily's review against another edition

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3.0

I'm still not entirely sure what this book was about. I think I liked it though haha

empoi's review against another edition

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4.0

What if your dreams could change reality?

A psychiatrist who with good intentions uses hypnosis to treat the patient, then to use the patient to do good, then to his own advantage.

It is eerie to wake up and not know what has changed in the world. To have reality constantly shifting beneath you can make anyone go crazy.

shimmery's review against another edition

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4.0

George Orr is a dreamer unlike any other. When he wakes up after certain sleeps, he finds reality has altered to match what he has dreamed. His dreams change the world and the things that happen in it — but nobody else is able to remember things any other way. For them, the new reality is the only one they have ever known.

Tormented by his unique power and competing memories, Orr begins abusing pharmaceuticals in order to suppress his dreams. This has him referred to Doctor Haber, who, on becoming aware of what George can do, begins to harness his dream powers to change the world almost beyond recognition.

This was a really interesting story, one with a lot of moral questions that will be fun to explore in the book group I read it for. Who gets to decide what is for the greater good? What are the limits of our imagination? Does human nature necessitate a world always at war or in difficulty? Is the difference between a utopia and a dystopia always only a matter of opinion? What might be the point of suffering, or why does it exist?

I found Le Guin’s writing style beautiful and the story captivating, which I listened to on audio book over a few long train rides.

kiso's review against another edition

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challenging emotional hopeful reflective fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

landonwittmer's review against another edition

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5.0

A beautiful, concise science fiction story about manipulation, utilitarianism, and ends justifying the means. Most of the book is a pretty slow build to the last fifty or so pages, but since the book is fairly short, it's no bother, and those last fifty or so pages are incredible. That's not to say everything before it is tedious, just explanatory and a bit long at points. Sometimes it felt like I was reading an essay about brain waves, but that's just how science fiction rolls, and I can't blame Le Guin for her mastery of the genre and craft.
No real complaints. Great book, not my favorite, but I'm sure it is for a lot of people.