Reviews

I liked this a lot, especially after the first third? I found Orr very sympathetic and the whole thing very unsettling. There was a lot of ethics and philosophy for such a short text--compact!

My mind drew some parallels with L'étranger in that it's very focused on a "weak" loner man in a world that seems very difficult to understand and I just wish I'd had to read this three times over in school and university rather than Camus...! It would have given me way more I'm sure.

Also there are some delicious turns of phrase and humorous bits. Masterful.

But--there is also that dusty musty old feeling common to a lot of mid-20th century writing. Stuffy in a way I can't quite put my finger on. I don't love that atmosphere in a book so that pulls down the rating a bit for me.

weenyreads's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark mysterious medium-paced

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

4.5

valetparkering's review against another edition

Go to review page

5.0

As always Le Guin's writing is phenomenal. From the first lines I was captured by the beauty of her prose.

I really enjoyed the way she characterized Haber and Orr and the way the narration style changed with every perspective and iteration. I was constantly watching for inconsistencies when the dreams changed.

deanamethyst's review

Go to review page

adventurous challenging dark emotional reflective tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

Content Warnings

castelruins's review

Go to review page

dark emotional hopeful reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot

4.5

ashablue's review

Go to review page

3.0

This is one of those books that I would expect to be on a high school read list because it feels like a book rife with material for those end of year essay exams for English. That's not at all a bad thing, mind you. Like Animal Farm or Lord of the Flies it is pregnant with meaning and questions and statements on humanity, society, corruption, good intentions and bad outcomes.

There isn't a lot to spoil, exactly. Orr dreams. His dreams change reality. He has no control over his powers and it terrifies him. His psychiatrist learns to control his patient and so Orr becomes a tool of the good Dr as he tries to make the world better, with predictably weird and dangerous outcomes. His powers are bit like that of a monkeys paw. They can be guided, but not controlled and be careful what you wish for plays into it pretty heavily.

Also, there's aliens.

But I'll leave it at that.

madihoney's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous dark mysterious reflective sad tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

Definitely enjoyed this book more than Lavinia. Enjoyed Le Guin’s take on reality, what it means to exist and to play god.

More...