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

dark mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

I can see why this is a classic the the sci-fi and dystopian future genres.  George Orr has the ability to affect reality through his dreams (called Effective Dreaming).  He wrestles with his responsibility to humanity with this power and it leads him to drugs to try to stop dreaming.  He shares this with his psychiatrist, Dr Haber, who offers to help, but end up using George to change reality for himself (making Haber the head of the top government run psychological institute).  

Le Guin uses these two characters to look at different type of utopian societies and the unintended consequences that happen, either from a top down approach (Haber) or a for-the-benefit-of-all (Orr).