Books matching: dreams and reality
100 result(s)
- #1
Save:Paprika by Yasutaka Tsutsui is a surrealistic sci-fi novel set in an experimental psychiatric research institute where a powerful dream technology is stolen, leading to chaos as reality merges with the dream world. The story follows Atsuko Chiba, a brilliant psychotherapist who uses psychotherapy devices to enter and manipulate patients' dreams, including disguising herself as Paprika to conduct secret therapy sessions. As the line between reality and dreams blurs, Atsuko must navigate through overlapping worlds to uncover the culprit behind the malicious use of the stolen technology.
The book explores themes of dream manipulation, reality control, and the consequences of merging the subconscious with the conscious mind. It delves into the complexities of human psyche, the potential dangers of advanced technology, and the blurred boundaries between dreams and reality, all while maintaining a surreal and intriguing narrative style that challenges traditional storytelling conventions.
The Senior Staff Room of the Institute for Psychiatric Research had five desks but only two regular occupants – Kosaku Tokita and Atsuko Chiba. Their desks jostled for space near the window at the far... - #2
Save:'Incarnate' by Ramsey Campbell is a chilling horror novel that delves into the quality of dreams and hallucinations. The story follows the aftereffects of an experiment on prophetic dreaming, where a group of characters, including dreamers, researchers, and others, narrate their experiences, providing a sense of universality but also causing confusion for the reader. The narrative builds a sense of creeping dread and unease, slowly escalating to a harrowing and intense climax that keeps the reader engaged and on edge.
The book explores the thin line between dream and reality, creating a world where disturbing visions resurface years after an experiment, blurring the boundaries of what is real and what is a product of the experiments. Campbell's writing style is described as slow-burn, gradually increasing tension and fear throughout the story, making the reader question the nature of reality and experience a true sense of dread as the plot unfolds.
WHEN they let her out of the room at last, she’d forgotten what she had to say. The sky outside the window told her it was evening, the sunset descending a smoldering ladder of clouds above the Oxford... - #3
Save:'Tortured Dreams' by Hadena James is part of the 'Dreams and Reality' series, featuring a kickass female main character who owns a security company and is surrounded by strong female allies. The writing style is described as potentially amateurish and rushed, but with a lot of potential due to the author's evident research efforts. The plot involves themes of violence and gore, focusing on tracking serial killers and mass murderers.
It was four days before Halloween. I had my costume picked out. I was going to be Sherlock Holmes that year. I was in sixth grade. Not because I wanted to be, but because everyone else wanted me t... - #4
Save:'Madeleine is Sleeping' by Sarah Shun-lien Bynum is a whimsical and surreal tale that blurs the lines between reality and dreams, set in a provincial French town. The novel follows Madeleine's enchanted sleep, where the difference between fanciful dreams and the real world blends, making it difficult to discern what is real. The story captures the wonderment of adolescence with unique and arresting imagery, exploring themes of unrequited love, music, circus, and the surreal events that unfold in Madeleine's dream world.
The narrative is presented in a unique format with verse-length chapters, offering a visual draw into the story. Bynum's writing style seamlessly combines poetry and prose to create a luscious scene for each part of Madeleine's dream, with elements of magic realism enhancing the development of worlds between dream and reality. Despite the abstractness of the writing, the quality of the language remains mellifluous and engaging, making it a truly original and intriguing piece of fiction.
- #5
Save:'Call Down the Hawk' by Maggie Stiefvater is the first in the Dreamer Trilogy, delving into the lives of dreamers and the dreamed. The story follows Ronan Lynch, a dreamer who can manifest both wonders and disasters from his dreams. As the plot unfolds, new characters like Jordan Hennessy and Carmen Farooq Lane are introduced, each with their own ties to the world of dreams. The narrative seamlessly combines real and fantastical elements, drawing readers into a world where dreams blur the lines between reality and fantasy. Stiefvater's writing style is described as devastating, with a perfect mix of folklore and myths woven into the storyline, creating a captivating and thought-provoking read.
The cat was the most dramatic. It was a beautiful animal, if you liked cats, with a dainty face and long, cottony fur, the kind that seemed like it would melt away into liquid sugar. It was a calico, ... - #6
Save:In The Manual of Detection by Jedediah Berry, readers are taken on a surreal journey through a mysterious noir world where clerk Charles Unwin unexpectedly finds himself promoted to detective status. With shades of Jasper Fforde and Jonathan Barnes, the story unfolds in a quirky and imaginative setting where reality blurs with fantasy. As Unwin navigates a complex plot involving missing detectives, surreal dream sequences, and a gothic city caught in perpetual rain, readers are drawn into a world reminiscent of classic noirs and visionary films like Brazil.
Berry expertly weaves together multiple plot strands, creating a narrative that requires close attention to detail and rewards readers with a richly layered story. With elements of mystery, surrealism, and fantasy, The Manual of Detection keeps readers engaged as they follow Unwin's quest to solve a series of crimes committed through people's dreams. Through a blend of unique characters, intricate plot twists, and a writing style that balances whimsy with depth, Berry crafts a genre-bending mystery that is both captivating and original.
Lest details be mistaken for clues, note that Mr. Charles Unwin, lifetime resident of this city, rode his bicycle to work every day, even when it was raining. He had contrived a method to keep his umb... 'Pollen' by Jeff Noon is a surreal cyberpunk novel that explores a world where a high pollen count is causing people to sneeze themselves to death. The story follows a detective novel format, delving into the dream-like and disturbing world filled with androids, plant people, and shadowy characters. The writing style is described as imaginative, mind-expanding, and gripping, reminiscent of Neil Gaiman's Sandman with a touch of metafiction and the New Weird genre.
My father told me that I would live as many years as the grains of dust I could hold in one hand. Consequently I have lived to such an advanced age that now, when my body is ravaged by time, and power...- #8
Save:'Dreamology' by Lucy Keating follows the story of Alice and Max, who have been dreaming of each other since childhood. In their dreams, they fall in love and embark on adventures, but when they meet in real life, they are faced with the challenge of getting to know each other all over again. explores the themes of dreams, love, and the contrast between fantasy and reality. The writing style is described as captivating, vivid, and flowing beautifully, allowing readers to get lost in the dreamy and imaginative world created by the author.
“Nobody,” I say quickly, and he doesn’t notice. My dad is a brain guy. A well-known neuroscientist—which doesn’t mean much unless you also happen to be one—he understands things about the mind that ar... - #9
Save:'House of Day, House of Night' by Olga Tokarczuk is a novel that weaves together various stories set in a small town in Silesia, southwest Poland. The book is structured around a narrator's diary, with tales from the present and past shared by a mysterious old lady living nearby. The writing style is described as innovative, offering more than just a good story, with elements of symbolism, poetry, and magical realism. The narrative explores themes of history, connectivity, transformations, and the beauty of change.
- #10
Save:'Thus Were Their Faces' by Silvina Ocampo is a collection of strange and fantastical stories that blur the lines between dream and reality. Ocampo's writing style is described as haunting, modern fables filled with magic and surrealism, while also exploring down-to-earth themes of love, death, and human nature. The stories in the book refuse to adhere to conventional writing norms, creating a barely coherent dreamworld where anything out of the ordinary can happen.
IT WAS suffocatingly hot. I reached Constitution Station at four. The books tucked into the straps of the suitcase made the suitcase even heavier. I stopped to finish a strawberry ice-cream cone next ...
