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Ever since she was eight years old, high school student Janie Hannagan has been uncontrollably drawn into other people's dreams, but it is not until she befriends an elderly nursing home patient and becomes involved with an enigmatic fellow-student that she discovers her true power.Tags
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An incredibly fast read (a mere couple of hours), Wake is good fun. Imagine being sucked into the dreams of anyone sleeping near you: sleepovers take on a whole new meaning, eh? Since the age of eight, Janie has been involuntarily pulled into others' dreams. The guy sitting next to her in class nods off and begins having a nightmare? Janie's body goes numb and she blacks out, only to wake up, moments later, in the guy's nightmare, experiencing it right along with him. Not surprisingly, this causes problems for Janie, even after she realizes she can stop the effect by keeping distance, in the form of closed doors, between she and the sleepers.
This also means Janie unwillingly learns secret things about the people around her: the rich show more girl in love with Janie best friend, Carrie; the old man in the nursing home who regrets throwing his son out; her best friend's recurring nightmare about a young boy drowning in a river. It's not until she gets sucked into the dream of a loner classmate, and discovers he's dreaming about her, that she wonders if she *can* tell someone else about her...gift.
This was a great read, and includes just about everything I enjoy: an unpopular girl with an unexpected "power"; a surprisingly hot loner boy who might just have an unrequited crush; and an undercover mission. My only disappointment was that McMann's writing style - spare and succinct - didn't dwell enough on the *cozy* moments Janie shares with her love interest! : ) show less
This also means Janie unwillingly learns secret things about the people around her: the rich show more girl in love with Janie best friend, Carrie; the old man in the nursing home who regrets throwing his son out; her best friend's recurring nightmare about a young boy drowning in a river. It's not until she gets sucked into the dream of a loner classmate, and discovers he's dreaming about her, that she wonders if she *can* tell someone else about her...gift.
This was a great read, and includes just about everything I enjoy: an unpopular girl with an unexpected "power"; a surprisingly hot loner boy who might just have an unrequited crush; and an undercover mission. My only disappointment was that McMann's writing style - spare and succinct - didn't dwell enough on the *cozy* moments Janie shares with her love interest! : ) show less
Fast paced and edgy this first in the McMann trilogy features Janie Hannigan, a high-school senior who has lived with a dreadful secret for years – she can see your dreams.
In this young adult thriller we are treated to influences from Stephen King. Consider this language worthy of the master himself as Hannigan describes her class-mates, “The oversleepers, latecomers, and don’t-give-a-shitters” … perfect. The dreams of her friends, class-mates, mother and anyone she happens to walk or drive by at the time they are sleeping causes seizures and convulsions in Janie. She goes through the turmoil of World War II, hiding in the trenches with an old man in the nursing home where she works after school, and sees her soon to be show more beau’s father spray lighter fluid on him and light it.
It is not until she runs into an elderly blind lady, Ms. Stubin, who as she dies lets her know there are other dream catchers out there that she begins to make sense of it all. Learning to not only see but enter dreams Janie channels powers she never knew she possessed until she is able to influence the outcome of her ‘victims’ dreams and discovers a world far beyond anything she would have been able to conceive previously.
This was a quick two-hour read. I couldn’t put in down. Now I have to go find Fade and Gone so I can satisfy my craving for this highly addictive series. show less
In this young adult thriller we are treated to influences from Stephen King. Consider this language worthy of the master himself as Hannigan describes her class-mates, “The oversleepers, latecomers, and don’t-give-a-shitters” … perfect. The dreams of her friends, class-mates, mother and anyone she happens to walk or drive by at the time they are sleeping causes seizures and convulsions in Janie. She goes through the turmoil of World War II, hiding in the trenches with an old man in the nursing home where she works after school, and sees her soon to be show more beau’s father spray lighter fluid on him and light it.
It is not until she runs into an elderly blind lady, Ms. Stubin, who as she dies lets her know there are other dream catchers out there that she begins to make sense of it all. Learning to not only see but enter dreams Janie channels powers she never knew she possessed until she is able to influence the outcome of her ‘victims’ dreams and discovers a world far beyond anything she would have been able to conceive previously.
This was a quick two-hour read. I couldn’t put in down. Now I have to go find Fade and Gone so I can satisfy my craving for this highly addictive series. show less
Fascinating and edgy take on what could have been cliche; the power to enter and interact with dreams.
Janie has always felt that her ability to "fall" into the dreams of others is more curse than blessing. She has learned things she's never wanted to know about friends, classmates, and strangers. Janie knows better than anyone the kind of crazy, terrifying intimacies that occur during sleep.
But Janie knows that one way or another, she needs to get a handle on the power. Because strange clues are cropping up that suggest that her ability can be controlled, perhaps even for the purpose of helping others that struggle in their dreams. Helping her is the mysterious Cabel, the quiet but handsome loner, whose dreams are more like nightmares, show more and yet sometimes involve Janie in intriguing ways.
With a brilliant simple and almost prose-like writing style that conveys emotion in short, powerful bursts, this book traces what seems to be the beginning of Janie's journey. Dreams amusing, disturbing, and terrifying are related as Janie falls into them, and I love the way McMann writes them like real dreams, not in intense or flowery detail. There is little description, but the emotions are so vivid that the characters are developed well anyway. And there is something innately addicting about the characters, style, and concept, which makes me want the next book soon! show less
Janie has always felt that her ability to "fall" into the dreams of others is more curse than blessing. She has learned things she's never wanted to know about friends, classmates, and strangers. Janie knows better than anyone the kind of crazy, terrifying intimacies that occur during sleep.
But Janie knows that one way or another, she needs to get a handle on the power. Because strange clues are cropping up that suggest that her ability can be controlled, perhaps even for the purpose of helping others that struggle in their dreams. Helping her is the mysterious Cabel, the quiet but handsome loner, whose dreams are more like nightmares, show more and yet sometimes involve Janie in intriguing ways.
With a brilliant simple and almost prose-like writing style that conveys emotion in short, powerful bursts, this book traces what seems to be the beginning of Janie's journey. Dreams amusing, disturbing, and terrifying are related as Janie falls into them, and I love the way McMann writes them like real dreams, not in intense or flowery detail. There is little description, but the emotions are so vivid that the characters are developed well anyway. And there is something innately addicting about the characters, style, and concept, which makes me want the next book soon! show less
An Open Letter to Lisa McMannDear Ms. McMann,Please stop writing books.This is a very serious request. To this date, you have written and published two novels, Wake and Fade. Because of your books, I have on two occasions been compelled to read deep into the night, and in this manner I have lost two good nights of sleep. I can only conclude that any further books written by you will lead to long nights with the bedside lamp switched on, frantically reading. I will not have it! I must firmly request that you stop at once.If you insist on continuing with your flagrant book-publishing, I have a few suggestions that may alleviate the problem. Please take the following requests into account in any and all future books.1. If there is one show more thing on which I really must insist, it is a general loosening-up of your writing style. This tight, exciting prose will be the death of me! If every sentence did not compel me to read the next, perhaps I would be able to put your books down long enough to get a few good hours of sleep. Perhaps you could insert some clunky dialogue?2. Your characters must - MUST - be less compelling. In fact, it would be best if Janie and Cabel could be excised completely, and less interesting characters could be inserted in their place. If I am forced back inside of Janie's head, where I can see the fascination, terror and exhaustion that are caused by her ability to see other people's dreams, I will most certainly not be able to put your book down. And Cabel, with his terrible past and his willpower and determination to do good, both in his relationship with Janie and in his work, is much too sympathetic a character.3. In a related note, the tumultuous romance between Cabel and Janie is much too intense. If you persist in writing about these characters, their relationship must be taken back a notch. As it currently stands, their emotions are too strong! Their sense of discovery of themselves and each other is too genuine! Their frustrations with one another are too palpable! Their sex is too sexy!4. Slower pacing is a necessity in any future novels. Constantly throwing your readers from horrific nightmare to sweet and sexy romance to exciting mystery causes agitation and suspense, forcing the reader to keep turning pages until the very end of the book.Thank you for your time. I look forward to not reading your books in the future.Sleepily yours,Laura Koenig show less
Being able to fall into people’s dreams, to see their deepest and darkest desires, is not something I would wish on an enemy. Yet Janie handles herself with aplomb, making Wake an enjoyable read. Lisa McMann’s signature style allows the reader to get a good understanding of Janie and her struggle with her power without bogging down into details or overly descriptive passages; this also makes Wake a very fast read. Janie is a fun character with a very different problem, one that makes it difficult for her to navigate her way through the tricky halls of high school. Of all the superpowers to have, Janie’s is probably one of the worst ones. A reader is immediately drawn to her fragility but her willingness to fight to control her show more powers. Wake is not necessarily a departure from similar stories but is enhanced by Ms. McMann’s ability to weave a story. show less
McMann’s writing style is unique to say the least, it was very factual, in your face writing, (2:45, Janie falls into old man’s dream, 3:10 Janie wakes up and eats something) I was hesitant at first thinking I wouldn’t be able to get through the monotone of the writing, but after about five pages I was completely sucked in and didn’t stop until the book was over! The action moves quickly in short chapter fragments that span from Janie's childhood to her senior year of high school where the fast paced plot slows down enough for the story to unfold around the development of the characters. I loved the depth of Cabel and Janie’s relationship, their young and both messed up so trust is a huge issue for both of them. A romance show more blooms out of need and loneliness. Once trust is formed, they begin to bond and are able to share the dark secrets haunting them. I thought the relationship was the best part of the book and the most believable look at young love without over the top Romeo and Juliet themes. The freaky element to the book.....Janie gets pulled into people's dreams if anyone starts to dream near her. The connection is broken by a closed door or enough distance, unless the dreamer is having a nightmare. Then it is unpredictable and scary. I thought McMann was at her best when writing the dream sequences. Janie drifts into her friends and classmates dreams with no control. More scary are the nursing home dreams and stranger dreams she's pulled into. Through the course of the book Janie tries to help some of them through their dreams. And it is within their dreams that she learns to power her mind to bend and transform the dreamworld. show less
I read this, cover to cover, last night. It was very good, and I agree with another reviewer- it is YA for YAs who will eventually read Patricia Cornwell and Sue Grafton type books. I really like the fact that Janie is not perfect and popular- as a matter of fact, all of the characters are pretty flawed and go against stereotypes. That was refreshing.
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Author Information
50+ Works 17,683 Members
Lisa McMann was born in Holland, Michigan on February 27, 1968. Her works include the Wake Trilogy, The Unwanteds series, Cryer's Cross, Dead to You, Crash, and the Infinity Ring series. (Bowker Author Biography)
Lisa McMann is a LibraryThing Author, an author who lists their personal library on LibraryThing.
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Awards and Honors
Awards
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Notable Lists
Series
Work Relationships
Is contained in
Common Knowledge
- Canonical title
- Wake
- Original publication date
- 2008
- People/Characters
- Janie Hannagan; Cabel Strumheller; Captain Fran Komisky; Martha Stubin; Carrie Brandt; Melinda Jeffers (show all 10); Mr. Reed; Stu Gardner; Johnny McVicker; Shay Wilder
- Important places
- Fieldridge, Michigan, USA; University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
- Dedication
- This one is for you,
Toots
To my amazing in-home cheerleaders, house cleaners, and editors--Matt, Kilian and Kennedy--you rock. There would be no Janie without your love, help, patience, and support.
Special thanks to Dr. Diane Blake Harper, my dea... (show all)r friend and Google-monkey; to Dr. Louis Catron for your kind, priceless critiques; to Ramon Collins for your years of support; and to Tricia, Chris, Erica, Greg, Dawn, Joe, David, Jen, Lisa, Andy, Matthew, Linda, Andie, and Ally for your generous assistance.
Finally, warmest gratitude to my fantastic agent, Michael Bourret, who believed in Janie and in me, and great praises for a most terrific team at Simon Pulse - Jennifer Klonsky, Caroline abbey, Michael del Rosario, and all the others who help make dreams come true. - First words
- Janie Hannagan's math book slips from her fingers.
- Last words
- (Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)And they are off, through the link of fingers.
Watching themselves, together.
Catching his dreams. - Publisher's editor
- Jennifer Klonsky
- Blurbers
- Clare, Cassandra
- Canonical DDC/MDS
- 813.6
- Canonical LCC
- PZ7.M478757
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- Reviews
- 191
- Rating
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- 9 — Czech, English, French, German, Indonesian, Italian, Polish, Portuguese, Spanish
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- Paper, Audiobook, Ebook
- ISBNs
- 29
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