The Lathe of Heaven

By: Ursula K. Le Guin

Narrated by: George Guidall

Length: 6 hrs and 48 mins

Publisher's summary

A classic science fiction novel by one of the greatest writers of the genre, set in a future world where one man's dreams control the fate of humanity.

In a future world racked by violence and environmental catastrophes, George Orr wakes up one day to discover that his dreams have the ability to alter reality. He seeks help from Dr. William Haber, a psychiatrist who immediately grasps the power George wields. Soon George must preserve reality itself as Dr. Haber becomes adept at manipulating George's dreams for his own purposes.

The Lathe of Heaven is an eerily prescient novel from award-winning author Ursula K. Le Guin that masterfully addresses the dangers of power and humanity's self-destructiveness, questioning the nature of reality itself. It is a classic of the science fiction genre.

©2014 Ursula K. Le Guin (P)2016 Recorded Books

Dreamy

My favorite book from childhood and quite possibly the best audible book and performance I have listened to yet!

Looking forward to listening again

I liked this alright the first time I listened to it, and I liked it better the second time. Am looking forward to listening again!

Addendum: After three listens my appreciation continues to grow.

Enjoyable and Fun

I enjoyed this book. It was fun, quick, and light. Much better than The Dispossessed.

George Guidall is perfect

The range of Mr. Guidall is amazing and his ability to bring Le Guin's characters to life is sublime. He perfectly captures the oily and evil charm of the Monster of the piece, Dr. Haber.

Good but choppy

Creative plot overall & a worthwhile casual listen. Dont know whether the text randomly had 10 commas in each sentence, or if it was just the stuttering narration style. Caused a very choppy, flow-less effect that made it difficult to follow at times.

A new fan for an older novel

The story written in 1971 is about a man in the future (2002), George Orr who has "effective" dreams. That is, whatever he dreams becomes reality. He dreams his Aunt died five years previous and when he awakens she is gone and everyone's memories of her life for the last five years is gone as well, replaced by their belief in the fact she died five years ago. He is sent to a psychiatrist who attempts to use George to manipulate reality into what the psychiatrist believes are improvements.

The world which Le Guin portrays in this future 2002 includes fighting in Afghanistan, tensions in the Middle East and major climate changes due to global warming.

An amazingly prescient novel, beautifully written and a great read.

Thought provoking but a little strange

George changes reality through his dreams. It’s a dystopian type book with futuristic references but the 80s and 90s weren’t very long ago. I had a hard time figuring out when it was supposed to take place. There are events like wars with Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iran, global warming, pollution, no automobiles, 7 billion people on the earth, overpopulation, food shortages, and modern attitudes about homosexuality. Some futuristic technology but telephones were corded. Written in 1971, the author has written a surprising timeless book. It’s nice that there’s only a reference here and there to sex and nothing explicit. It’s a little hard to keep track of the storyline in the last half of the book as things change rapidly. I’m not sure I completely understood or liked the ending but in the end, I was satisfied with the story.

Lovely thought piece

LeGuin puts some amazing ideas to paper. Thoroughly enjoyed the story and the reader.
Especially enjoyed the references to Portland since I grew up there.

Beautiful

I began this novel unaware of the synopsis due to having purchased it on merit in a two for one; I was not disappointed. Alongside George Guidall's loveable voice and the feeling of understanding for the work that it radiates is a story which blends modern themes of the contemporary dystopian SciFi with the important lessons from ancient eastern mysticism in a way that feels entirely unique while simultaneously offering a familiarity akin to those novels we all love, by the greats themselves, such as PKD and Bradbury. I cannot recommend this novel enough and give it the highest praise.

Story is good, not her best. Performance is great!

I read this book many years ago and remembered that I didn't like it as much as others written by LeGuin. I'm still of the same opinion. Her prose is wonderful, her world and ideas fascinating, but the story is repetitive. She sets up and hammers down almost identical events until the situation in the book becomes unbelievable. I'd recommend listening to her other works instead. That said, George Guidall's performance was outstanding. I'll be looking for other works he narrates.