"Dreamside" by Graham Joyce is a novel that delves into the intriguing concept of lucid dreaming, where four college students - Ella, Lee, Brad, and Honora - participate in a psychology research project to explore the boundaries of dreaming. Under the guidance of a psychology professor, they develop their abilities in lucid dreaming, but as they push the limits, they find themselves immersed in the dream world to a dangerous extent. The story unfolds both during their college years and thirteen years later, as they are haunted by dark dreams and must confront the consequences of their past actions. Graham Joyce's writing style is described as poetic and subtle, with a sense of menace and foreboding that sets this book apart from other storytelling in the genre.

Characters:

The characters are four distinct students whose complex dynamics highlight growth, trauma, and the impact of their experiences on their lives.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is characterized by poetic and engaging prose that evokes a sense of foreboding, with a focus on character depth and dialogue.

Plot/Storyline:

The narrative revolves around lucid dreaming, following four students in a study that shifts from thrilling to sinister, and highlights the long-term effects of their experiences.

Setting:

The setting alternates between a university context and the surreal landscapes of lucid dreams, creating a compelling backdrop for the narrative.

Pacing:

The pacing is generally engaging but slows down towards the end, maintaining an urgency that may occasionally falter.

He put down the phone. It had been twelve going on thirteen years since they had seen or spoken to each other. He stared at the wall, dumbly. His astonishment and dismay conflicted with the acute fear...

Notes:

The book is about lucid dreaming, where individuals can control their dreams.

It focuses on four college students: Ella, Lee, Honora, and Brad.

The story is set in the 1970s and revolves around a study conducted by Professor Burns.

The group becomes increasingly immersed in lucid dreaming, which leads to darker consequences.

Thirteen years after the experiment, the group faces dark dreams again, influenced by their past experiences.

The second half of the book shifts to horror, exploring the blurred lines between reality and dreams.

The writing is described as poetic and immersive, creating a vivid picture of 'Dreamside.'

The novel presents psychological and supernatural elements intertwined with character development.

The author, Graham Joyce, is noted for his subtle way of creating a chilling atmosphere in his writing.

This book was published in 1991, ahead of films like Inception and The Matrix that explore similar themes.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Medium content warnings are applicable due to themes of mental health issues, trauma, and the nature of fear and suspense inherent in the plot.

Has Romance?

There are significant romantic tensions and interactions among the main characters, marking a medium level of romantic involvement.

From The Publisher:

The novel that launched Graham Joyce's writing career, described as "Brilliant Sensual and Scaring". Dreamside explores the mysterious and frightening subject "lucid" dreaming, the ability to control on'e own dreams. This complete version contains a new Afterword by the author. "Graham Joyce writes the kind of novels we keep hoping to find, but rarely do."-Jonathan Carroll

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Dreamside

Graham Joyce