“When I read The Lathe of Heaven as a young man, my mind was boggled. When I read it, more than 25 years later, it breaks my heart. Only a great work of literature can bridge — so thrillingly — that impossible span.”
— Michael Chabon
“The Lathe of Heaven is a psychological thriller in every sense of the term. The story can be enjoyed as a struggle between a man and his therapist to ‘make a breakthrough,’ as a SF parable about the dangers of becoming a God, or simply as a page turner, full of twists and shocks.
“Whichever way you approach it, this book is wonderful. Sensitive, moving and shocking — and containing in George Orr one of SF’s greatest characters, The Lathe of Heaven will stay in your mind long after you’ve put it down. Sweet dreams.”
Sam Ashurst
The SF Site
“A rare and powerful synthesis of poetry and science, reason and emotion.”
— The New York Times
“Le Guin neatly and eerily conveys the bad-dream civilization which is George’s everyday world.”
— Washington Post Book World
“Ursula Le Guin brings reality itself to the proving ground.>”
— Theodore Sturgeon
It was only three o’clock, and he should have gone back to
his office in the Parks Department and finished up the plans for southeast
suburban play areas; but he didn’t. He gave it one thought and dismissed it.
Although his memory assured him that he had held that position for five years
now, he disbelieved his memory; the job had no reality to him. It was not work
he had to do. It was not his job. [continued...]
