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3.68 AVERAGE
3.68 AVERAGE
3.5 - Devoured quickly with a fast pace, really drew me in but it didn't require much time to digest. As others noted, so well written it's mesmerizing somehow even though not entirely satisfying in certain ways. You'd want to be in the mood for it. Some characters seem to serve no purpose. Questions are left unanswered.
“two lives are always worth more than one, it shouldn’t matter that you know me”
shatter my heart it’s fine.
shatter my heart it’s fine.
I read this book around the middle of 2024, by which stage I had firmly told myself “No more pandemic books.” As I was looking for my next read, and soon after having read my first (but not last for the year) Emily St. John Mandel novel - Sea Of Tranquillity – I saw that she had called The Dreamers “stunning.” That was enough for me to allow myself one final (so I thought) book that relied on a virus/plague/pandemic as its primary device.
So glad I allowed myself to do so. The Dreamers was certainly vague and mysterious, as many reviews have labelled it. The large cast of characters drift in and out of focus as we follow the primary character Mei, whose freshman roommate stumbles into their dorm room, falls asleep, and simply does not wake up. Repeat that over and over, and suddenly Mei is in the middle of a ‘sleep sickness’ pandemic.
Sure, the premise isn’t super original. Yes, the middle got a little muddy. And, yes, the end was quite short and sudden. Counter that with rather poetic prose, some very wise quotes - “But isn’t the future always an imaginary thing before it comes?” - and enough hazy distance to allow you to engineer your own thoughts and theories, and The Dreamers is a very enjoyable read.
So glad I allowed myself to do so. The Dreamers was certainly vague and mysterious, as many reviews have labelled it. The large cast of characters drift in and out of focus as we follow the primary character Mei, whose freshman roommate stumbles into their dorm room, falls asleep, and simply does not wake up. Repeat that over and over, and suddenly Mei is in the middle of a ‘sleep sickness’ pandemic.
Sure, the premise isn’t super original. Yes, the middle got a little muddy. And, yes, the end was quite short and sudden. Counter that with rather poetic prose, some very wise quotes - “But isn’t the future always an imaginary thing before it comes?” - and enough hazy distance to allow you to engineer your own thoughts and theories, and The Dreamers is a very enjoyable read.
I read this all in one day while airporting. It was just what I needed! I haven’t really liked any of the books I’ve been reading therefore haven’t been reading much. I’m happy to report that I feel like I’m back in the game. I had a little trouble remembering who was who but it almost didn’t matter. The idea that dreams can feel like real life has always been interesting. I saw a man with a baby on him at the airport and almost asked him how many weeks his baby was so I could picture the book just right.
Premise sounded right up my alley but, my GOD, the ending was too predictable. The novel also tried really hard to be deep and philosophical but it just came off as contrived and annoying. The first third of the book was rough as well because it was just full of stupid ass college kids that just wanted to party. Couldn't help but root against them the whole time.
Not a satisfying read.
Not a satisfying read.
I did enjoy it but if I had known that it wasn’t going anywhere I might not have bothered.
Powerful prose to carry you through intertwined stories of exciting characters. Heartbreaking and heartwarming.
dark
emotional
hopeful
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:
Yes
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Fully enveloping