Himlens drejebænk (1971)

George Orr's dreams change reality. It's terrifying, and he's been taking drugs to eliminate his dreams. His drug use is illegal, and his explanation for it sounds insane, so he lands in the office of an overbearing psychologist. The doctor seizes the opportunity to fix George through untested dream research technology.

A pretty trippy literary work, in all the best ways. The Lathe of Heaven feels like a Dick plot with all the anthropological richness of Le Guin. I was surprised how very un-dated it felt (it was published in 1971 and seems to be set 50 years in the future / approximately now, though in clearly a different timeline). In addition to blatant near-future environmental commentary, this book boasts very rich literary themes of power and morality and love and otherness. It's a prescient, well-executed story, and a worthwhile read for fans of literary speculative fiction. ( )

In a future world racked by violence and environmental catastrophes, George Orr wakes up one day to discover that his dreams have the ability to alter reality. He seeks help from Dr. William Haber, a psychiatrist who immediately grasps the power George wields. Soon George must preserve reality itself as Dr. Haber becomes adept at manipulating George’s dreams for his own purposes.

The Lathe of Heaven is an eerily prescient novel from award-winning author Ursula K. Le Guin that masterfully addresses the dangers of power and humanity’s self-destructiveness, questioning the nature of reality itself. It is a classic of the science fiction genre.

Kept me hooked from beginning to end; intriguing concept, engaging characters, artful prose: it's not often I read a book I feel I could recommend anyone, but The Lathe of Heaven comes close.

I read this a long time ago and barely remember more than loving it. ( )

This seemed like Ursula Le Guin's version of of a PK Dick novel. Good, but while I like her other books, they're better as their own thing vs. an attempt at PK Dick's style. ( )