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A review by anteus7
The Lathe of Heaven by Ursula K. Le Guin
5.0
I love Ursula Le Guin. I don't know why I don't read and re-read her more often.
When I heard that next year's Academic Decathlon book was going to be The Lathe of Heaven I thought it was the perfect time to re-read it. I'm glad that I did because I did remember the story in general, but the details were very fuzzy.
Le Guin's writing is, as always, masterful in its ability to blend science fiction with philosophy and social commentary. It is the kind of science fiction that could be conflated with fantasy (kind of like some of her other works like "Those Who Walk Away from Omelas"). The characters are well-developed and their struggles are both relatable and engaging. The world-building is excellent and the descriptions of the alternate realities that George creates through his dreams are vivid and imaginative and so, so sad. The attempts and failures William Haber experiences when trying to use George as a vehicle to his 'perfect' world are heartbreaking because his heart is in the right place--at least at first.
What makes The Lathe of Heaven so great to me, though, is its exploration of the nature of reality and the role of humanity in shaping it. Le Guin asks important questions about the dangers of unchecked power and the responsibility that comes with it. She also touches on themes of identity, morality, and the meaning of existence.
When I heard that next year's Academic Decathlon book was going to be The Lathe of Heaven I thought it was the perfect time to re-read it. I'm glad that I did because I did remember the story in general, but the details were very fuzzy.
Le Guin's writing is, as always, masterful in its ability to blend science fiction with philosophy and social commentary. It is the kind of science fiction that could be conflated with fantasy (kind of like some of her other works like "Those Who Walk Away from Omelas"). The characters are well-developed and their struggles are both relatable and engaging. The world-building is excellent and the descriptions of the alternate realities that George creates through his dreams are vivid and imaginative and so, so sad. The attempts and failures William Haber experiences when trying to use George as a vehicle to his 'perfect' world are heartbreaking because his heart is in the right place--at least at first.
What makes The Lathe of Heaven so great to me, though, is its exploration of the nature of reality and the role of humanity in shaping it. Le Guin asks important questions about the dangers of unchecked power and the responsibility that comes with it. She also touches on themes of identity, morality, and the meaning of existence.