'The Anatomy of Dreams' by Chloe Benjamin follows a young woman who becomes an assistant in a dream study, only to uncover that things are not as they seem. The novel delves into intrigue, romance, and the immersive experience of dreams. The writing style is described as smart and aims to be clever, with a focus on landscapes like California and unexplainable moments like Sylvie's black paintings. The narrative is slow-paced, jumping between periods to build towards a reveal that some readers found predictable yet lacking in depth.

Characters:

Characters exhibit complexity and emotional depth, though some readers find it challenging to connect with them.

Writing/Prose:

The prose employs inventive stylistic choices that enhance the immersive experience, blending intellect with emotional resonance.

Plot/Storyline:

The narrative explores a young woman's journey in a dream study, revealing deeper uncertainties and ethics surrounding dreams.

Setting:

The setting is vividly crafted, enhancing the themes of dreams and reality within the narrative.

Pacing:

The pacing is methodical and fluctuates, providing an immersive experience while possibly lacking in payoff.

When Gabriel returned to me, I was twenty-one, and I was in the middle of the long summer before my senior year of college. At the time, I was a realist. I was at the top of my class, and I didn’t thi...

Notes:

Chloe Benjamin's writing style uses synesthesia to describe ordinary situations, creating a unique reading experience.

The story explores the concept of Parasomnia Overlap Disorder, which intrigued some readers.

The narrative is structured with flashbacks and flash-forwards, contributing to a sense of disorientation.

The novel leans towards literary fiction but incorporates elements of psychological thriller.

Set against the backdrop of San Francisco, the descriptions evoke a vivid sense of place.

The main characters, Sylvie and Gabe, are involved in experimental dream research under a mysterious mentor, Dr. Keller.

Readers noted a tension between the themes of reason versus experience throughout the book.

Some reviewers loved the immersive experience, while others found the pace slow and the ending unsatisfying.

The book mixes themes of intrigue, romance, and the complexities of understanding oneself.

While some readers expected a strong reveal, they felt the story ended up fizzling out instead.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

The book contains themes of psychological tension, potential violence, and ethical dilemmas which may be difficult for some readers.

Has Romance?

There is a moderate level of romance throughout the narrative.

From The Publisher:

Discover the award-winning debut novel by the New York Times bestselling author of The Immortalists , a "majestic collision of sci-fi thriller and love story" ( Bustle ) about a young woman struggling with questions of love, trust, and ethics as the line between dreams and reality dangerously blurs.

When Sylvie Patterson, a bookish student at a Northern California boarding school, falls in love with a spirited, elusive classmate named Gabe, they embark on an experiment that changes their lives. Their headmaster, Dr. Adrian Keller, is a charismatic medical researcher who has staked his career on the therapeutic potential of lucid dreaming: by teaching his patients to become conscious during sleep, he believes he can relieve stress and trauma. Over the next six years, Sylvie and Gabe become consumed by Keller's work, following him across the country.

But when an opportunity brings the trio to the Midwest, Sylvie and Gabe stumble into a tangled relationship with their mysterious neighbors-and Sylvie begins to doubt the ethics of Keller's research. As she navigates the hazy, permeable boundaries between what is real and what isn't, who can be trusted and who cannot, Sylvie also faces surprising developments in herself-an unexpected infatuation, growing paranoia, and a new sense of rebellion.

With stirring, elegant prose, "Chloe Benjamin has crafted an eerie, compelling first novel which, like the lingering effects of a vivid dream, resonates long past its finish" (Karen Brown, The Longings of Wayward Girls ).

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The Anatomy of Dreams

Chloe Benjamin