I've always enjoyed Le Guin's work for both her unique writing style and her incredibly creative imagination, and I wasn't disappointed here. It was refreshing to read a book set on Earth, albeit a dystopian future Earth.

As the main character and his psychiatrist slowly repair the world using the power of his dreams, the story carries us through a fascinating exploration of the nature of reality. Worked into this framework are a few cautionary tales about where current society might end up if we're not careful, but also a few cautions about wishing things were too different - because even in reshaping reality, the rules of reality still apply. In other words, be careful what you wish for.

Le Guin's own imagination is displayed in full force here, and the result is very enjoyable. This is not her best book, but it is very good. ( )

George Orr is referred to a psychologist named Doctor Haber, having been found to consume prescription drugs to deprive himself of deep sleep. George Orr's reasons for this is that he believes that his dreams can influence the past, changing reality to conform to his dreams. Haber, initially skeptical, tests Orr's claims, and finds that this is actually the case. What follows is Haber's earnest attempts to use Orr's dreaming to change the world for the better, with quite mixed results.

There's quite a lot that I like about this story. LeGuin does an excellent job of sketching the multiple realities that Orr manages to conjure up, and the changes in personality for the two supporting characters, quickly, efficiently, and without LeGuin lecturing to her readers. There are a lot of ideas here to mull over, from how dreams work to the vast differences in Haber's and Orr's views of how they should fit into the world - Haber desires to shape the world to how he sees it should be, while Orr merely seeks to exist within the world, changing it only when required.

I also enjoyed how LeGuin managed to keep Haber, the psychologist, as a realistic character, and not simply paint him as a caricartured villian. Haber, although intoxicated with the power he wields through Orr, is a character motivated to do good, even though his results are not always overly beneficial.

Original, thoughtful, and well-written - Philip K Dick, but with realistic characters and settings. Highly recommended. ( )

Superb imagining. Deep-sea, misty, heady. Stick with it till it grabs you good. ( )

A captivating read. A dream psychologist is tempted by the power of having a subject whose dreams become reality. Explores the impossible nature of a perfect utopia and how life is a balance rather than an ideal. Taoist quotes that start chapters are very fitting for the books subject matter. The technology, psychology and sociology are somewhat out of date but the concept is timeless.

This particular quote stood out to me. It's not relevant to the main subject matter of the book, but it captures so well for me that moment of meeting someone you are deeply attracted to;
"An irrelevant and poignant sensation of pleasure rose in him, like a tree that grew up and flowered all in one moment with its roots in his loins and its flowers in his mind. 'Hello,' he said again." ( )

A book about a man whose dreams alter reality? I was skeptical. I heard plenty of good things about this book and found it on several "Best Of Sci-Fi" lists but it just didn't seem like my kind of book. The main plot line, mentioned above, seemed like a good one, but my inner skeptic instantly recognized that it could be easily corrupted by poor writing. My mind raced with visions of religious symbolism, tedious philosophizing and page after page of vague, long-winded prose.In case you haven't guessed by the four star rating, I was sorely mistaken. The story turned out to be a lot more grounded than originally expected. It follows an ordinary man --in the future, yes, but still a very plausible and "normal" future-- who struggles with his reality-changing dreams. He ends up at a psychologist's office with hopes of curing or at least controlling these kinds of dreams. The psychologist, however, has different plans. Once he learns of his patient's extraordinary ability he starts trying to change the world for the better. I'll leave the plot synopsis at that so as to avoid spoilers.This book manages a nice balance that is rarely achieved. The action moves along at a steady pace but never at the expense of deeper discussion, and vice versa. Thus it avoids becoming a "yawn-fest," the kind of book you're forced to read at school; nor does it ever seem like a cheap thriller that stays on the sales charts for a few weeks then dies, never to be heard from again. As it grows older it is likely that many will label it as a classic sci-fi book, and I am hard pressed to disagree with that attitude. It has a certain timelessness that will keep it relevant, as well as an air of excitement that I am sure will convince people to actually, you know, read it. Little is more tragic than a good book that no one has ever read, after all. ( )