The first book I’ve read by Ursula Le Guin and what an impressive book this was. There was no reason to start with this one, I wanted to read one of her books and this was the only one at the library. If there is one thing guaranteed to give me a headache it is books about time-travel and trying to figure out how timelines can be affected, this book was just as bad. George Orr’s dreams can change reality, people can be wiped out in the blink of an eye and nobody would realise, it’s crazy, who’s to say this doesn’t happen in real life…have I always existed or have I just been created whilst reading this book? Have the 4 people who will read this review only have existed because I dreamed they’d read it? And why didn’t that dream about an endless supply of Whiskey not come true?

George Orr isn’t the best of characters he is very dull, maybe due to being sleep deprived, I found it very hard to care about him, it is obvious that he has been damaged by the stress of living with the repercussions of his dreams but I still found him too annoying to care about. His doctor is far more interesting, reading as he comes to believe in George’s ability and him throwing ethics out the window to start controlling the world was much more fun. I did find some outcomes predictable and I’m guessing that was on purpose seeing as we are relying on George’s imagination.

Overall I did enjoy the story, a few weaknesses but an original idea for a sci-fi novel, I’ll definitely be looking to reading more by Ursula and am open to recommendations.

Blog review: felcherman.wordpress.com/2021/02/24/the-lathe-of-heaven-by-ursula-k-le-guin/