The Book of Dreams

A Novel

By: Nina George

Narrated by: Steve West, Elizabeth Knowelden, Xalvador Tin-Bradbury

Length: 10 hrs and 11 mins

Publisher's summary

Warm, wise, and magical - the latest novel by the best-selling author of The Little Paris Bookshop and The Little French Bistro is an astonishing exploration of the thresholds between life and death.

Henri Skinner is a hardened ex-war reporter on the run from his past. On his way to see his son, Sam, for the first time in years, Henri steps into the road without looking and collides with oncoming traffic. He is rushed to a nearby hospital, where he floats, comatose, between dreams, reliving the fairy tales of his childhood and the secrets that made him run away in the first place.

After the accident, Sam - a 13-year-old synesthete with an IQ of 144 and an appetite for science fiction - waits by his father’s bedside every day. There, he meets Eddie Tomlin, a woman forced to confront her love for Henri after all these years, and 12-year-old Madelyn Zeidler, a coma patient like Henri and the sole survivor of a traffic accident that killed her family. As these four very different individuals fight - for hope, for patience, for life - they are bound together inextricably, facing the ravages of loss and first love side by side.

A revelatory, urgently human story that examines what we consider serious and painful alongside light and whimsy, The Book of Dreams is a tender meditation on memory, liminality, and empathy, asking with grace and gravitas what we will truly find meaningful in our lives once we are gone.

©2019 Nina George (P)2019 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“An effective exploration of connections that transcend physical boundaries...a poignant story about longing, nostalgia, and the pain of missed opportunities.” (Kirkus Reviews)

"An empathetic and emotionally stunning novel. Never preachy or maudlin, this deep dive into some of life's most haunting questions will appeal to fans of Isabel Allende and Mary Simses." (Booklist)

“Captivating.... This exploration of unfinished relationships has a haunting, evocative quality, and is a perfect, conversation-starting selection for book groups.” (Publishers Weekly)

Love and Coma

I liked the back and forth from character to character
I did not like the ending

A for Effort.

I chose this book based on the title and the cover as pictured on Audible. After listening to it for about an hour I had no idea what was going on. Between the four main characters (Eddie, Sam, Henri and Maddie) switching voices and going between the here and now and the ‘other’ place where individuals are when they are in a coma, it was quite difficult to attenuate oneself to what the heck was going on.

Somewhat bewildered, I read a few synopses, got my bearings and persevered. In my opinion this book is better read than listened to. Also the story discusses where one goes when they are in coma or in between and a good comparison would be Matt Haig’s ‘The Midnight Library’ which I enjoyed more thoroughly and was quite easy to follow.

Poetic tuck of heart strings

The book weaves dreamlike multiple non- linear storylines beautifully with the current timeline. The narrators added to the quality of the dreamscapes. I’m touched, moved and drawn into the characters. Thoroughly enjoyed the story.

Amazing narrators, a great author, and for the most part a good story

I loved all three of the narrators. I think they did a fantastic job of bringing each character to life and really bringing me into each moment of the story. The author’s descriptions are both beautiful and insightful – some of the best imagery I have experienced. I enjoyed most of the story, although I’m not sure it needed to end the way it did to carry-on with its message. The ending definitely left me a little bit sad and felt somewhat unnecessary.

Wonderfully touching and thoughtful book.

While quite different than the other book that I read, Little Paris Bookshop ( which was whimsically beautiful), I found this one to listen to. It was a more painful but just as poignant and well written tale. Heart rending and warming, it’s worth a read despite the few unnecessary Romance nice twists.

The ending you wish for isn’t what you think

This book was a bit confusing until I figured all the different stories were dreams, or maybe time travels or deja vu. I haven’t decided if it was a happy ending or a totally WRONG and horrible ending. Either way, it makes one think.

An emotional journey to self-awareness

If you want a love story with a Hollywood ending, look for something else. But if you want a book with depth, existential questions, and a profound ending, listen to this book. The subject matter is heavy but for me it was worth every moment.

Profound but Laborious

Interesting perspective and sympathetic characters. Many times of repetitive commentary.
Found it a difficult read.

Fascinating and mind-blowing!

Nina George navigates the unknown realms between life and death as if they were known, leaving me to wonder what is real and not, and where did her research take her for this novel? I learned a lot, felt a LOT and thought a lot, about life, death, sickness, memory, dreams, love, regret...

I feel so completely unqualified to say anything other than that I have loved all of George’s novels and look forward to her next.

Very Repetitive

I would have given this five stars had it not been for the sluggish ending and massive repetition throughout the book. Otherwise, it was rather interesting had it not slogged so much.