Reviews

The Lathe of Heaven by Ursula K. Le Guin

joanne_zysk's review against another edition

5.0

I have just found myself a new favorite author.

j_rowley's review against another edition

4.0

George tries to avoid sleeping because when he falls into a deep sleep those dreams come true. While trying to work the system to get more and different drugs that will allow him to sleep a dreamless sleep, he falls under the control of a doctor who tries to manipulate and manage George's dreams for the good. George tries to break away with the help of a lawyer. But dreams, as dreams often are, get mixed up bits of reality and changes keep happening that aren't necessarily what the doc wants. George has to figure out how to stop it all.

Very interesting ideas presented. Will think about this one for a while.

bookish_cam27's review against another edition

challenging fast-paced

npartida's review against another edition

4.0

Warning: this is a really good book, but if you are looking for straight up sci-fi - this is not it. Instead, Le Guin takes us on a philosophical journey. Here we have a character that can dream anything into or out of existence, which in turn raises many questions. Does anyone have the right to manipulate or dream a "better" existence? If you dream a world without poverty or conflict but as a result millions of people wink out of existence, is that justified? This is a great quick read, with a side helping of aliens. So while this is not a fantastic journey with traditional sci-fi elements, it portrays the real heart of sci-fi, asking questions and entering conversations that only sci-fi brilliantly can with the power of imagination and conscience. Some of the situations or "future" politics are a dated but it was written in 1971. If you are a Le Guin fan, this is a must read. If you enjoy moral quandries, this is a book you should check out.

mandrea's review against another edition

5.0

I loved it. This was my first Le Guin and I'm very excited to dig deeper into her work.

ethanmcc's review against another edition

adventurous emotional reflective sad fast-paced

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

4.75

This is one of the best books I’ve ever read, certainly the best and most complete story under 200 pages that I’ve ever read. Its resonated with me in ways that I don’t really understand fully. 

I love nihilistic stories about the human experience and ones where nothing sorta happens. This book, ending with him taking heather out on a coffee date, managed to end a sci-fi multiverse-based story in such an innocuous relatable way that I think hit a lot harder than if it had ended with some sort of battle with dr haber over control of the device or some ruined world as a cautionary tale allegorical to nukes or something like that

Oh one thing though is that Heathers depiction at times, yikes, definitely written 50+ years ago 

karathagan's review against another edition

4.0

Ursula K. LeGuin is usually thought provoking and this does not disappoint. A man in the future is taking drugs to avoid sleeping. He is arrested and explains he is not an addict, he's just really trying to not dream. Because he used other people's PharmCards, he is sentenced to therapy to fix his fear of dreaming. The doctor is testing out a special new machine that maps brainwaves and can influence dreams, says he'll get rid of nightmares. Our MC explains that the dreams themselves aren't scary, but he somehow is able to change reality with some dreams and has no way of controlling it. Though skeptical, the doctor sees it happen - he refuses to admit or acknowledge it, but slowly begins to manipulate our MC to get himself a better office, title, reputation, etc. 

Only people with the MC at the time of the dream can tell that reality is different. Eventually the doctor is changing things at a global, even interplanetary level. Like the proverbial monkey's paw, there's always a devastating side effect and unintended consequences. A lot of ethical concerns here that highlight what must be lost if we progress, even if on a slower scale with full awareness. Identity and humanity are also up for debate and the conclusion is not a perfect world - but we've seen enough to be scared of trying for anything more. 

darthval's review against another edition

4.0

I had almost given up trying to read classic SciFi, having thus far found it to be dry and tedious. I am so glad that I stuck in there to read The Lathe of Heaven.

This book is interesting, being short and light and tone. However, it tackles some rather deep topics that incite further reflection: poverty, over-population, race, power, manipulation, and more. The story almost has surreal dream-like quality, which is a perfect fit given the subject matter.

This book is quite enjoyable.

pzorgngtaon's review against another edition

5.0

I liked it. At times I thought it was a Philip K Dick novel.

tanyatwombly's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0