A review by smuds2
The Lathe of Heaven by Ursula K. Le Guin

3.0

Lets start the quick and dirty review:

When the human impulse to control and manipulate his (intentional) surroundings meets the extreme of capabilities, something that can bend the very nature of our reality to its will, changing the past present and future in the process, what is to be done? Who's right is it to use it and to what ends? Is it ever good to unilaterally right the wrongs of the past? What if no one knows it happened, as if it was the case for them all along.

Such is the case for our main character, George Orr, who has the power to manipulate reality with his "effective" dreams, only to be taken advantage of by those around him for their own ends. Unfortunately, Orr is eventually diagnosed as "in-between", "statistical middle", an "everyman" -- and to his detriment. Contrary to what an interesting premise should provide, he leaves nothing for a reader to sink their teeth into.

So while interesting moral conundrums are raised, repeatedly, over and over again - the reader is left thinking "Huh. I guess that's interesting" - instead of the weighty push and pull such topics should engender.

The writing, occasionally, dips into the surreal, and in those moments, it feels truly immersive. Otherwise, the sparse prose does little to help the actual impact of the story.

All that, paired with a rail thin romance, left this reader wanting more.



Okay.

It was fine. It was Ursula K Le Guin. Who I feel, unfortunately, gets graded on an anti-curve. I expect so highly of her that when she doesn't meet the expectation, I feel a bit duped. A Leguin 3 is an every one else 4, I suppose.

It just comes across as so... offensive. For a white lady who does not have to suffer the ramifications of (1) environmental degradation, (2) race, (3) nuclear war, (4) aliens - to say that it's better to live in a world where those very real threats exist, but at least we have free will and diversity exists.

The characters were Le Guin characters, the writing, aside from some of the better portions towards the middle and end of the book, some of the blandest I've read of hers. The sparse prose style does not match with the pace the book moves, which is sometimes fast, sometimes slow - inconsistent.

The premise is infinitely interesting, but I can see how it is difficult to do well. I would not recommend this to a friend as a good LeGuin book - maybe as a good book, but not a good le guin book.