Questions About The Lathe of Heaven

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Answered Questions (7)

I'm not a sci fi fan, in fact, I have always avoided it. Would people recommend this book for someone who's (usually) a rather black and white thinker? I heard Ursula Le Guin interviewed on the radio recently and she sounds such an amazing lady I just feel I want to read one of her works. Not sure if this would be a good place to start or not?

Meika I took a peek at some of the books listed on your profile, and I think you might like it. The main plot-driver is dreams, which lets you suspend reali…moreI took a peek at some of the books listed on your profile, and I think you might like it. The main plot-driver is dreams, which lets you suspend reality in a way that's compatible with a rational world-view. It's also very psychological, obviously, since one of the main characters is a psychiatrist who studies dreams.
There's no magic in this story. The science isn't foolproof, but it bends along the existing unknowns. If that's too much, you can easily take the story as an elaborate zen koen (there is one about a farmer who finds a horse, and his neighbors say he's lucky, and he says "maybe," and then his son tries to ride the horse and is thrown and injured, and the neighbors say he's unlucky, and he says "maybe," then the army comes to town.... and so on.). (less)

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"... the half-familiar, big man, in his voluminous russet gernreich, with his red-brown beard, and white smile, and opaque dark eyes." What is meant by "gernreich" in this context?

James Edwards I presume that this refers to Rudi Gernreich, an influential fashion designer in the middle of the 20th century. In 1970, when LeGuin was writing Lath…moreI presume that this refers to Rudi Gernreich, an influential fashion designer in the middle of the 20th century. In 1970, when LeGuin was writing Lathe in Heaven, Gernreich popularized unisex clothing, and he liked somewhat muted colors like russet. (less)

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Dr. Haber says, about the Tammany Hall mural, "Well, some people find it overdramatic for a shrink's office, a bit overwhelming. A life-size sex symbol right opposite the couch!" What the heck??

Sween McDervish This is a reference to Sigmund Freud's "Analysis of a Phobia in a Five-Year-Old Boy" more often referred to as the Case of Little Hans. A horse figure…moreThis is a reference to Sigmund Freud's "Analysis of a Phobia in a Five-Year-Old Boy" more often referred to as the Case of Little Hans. A horse figures prominently as a symbol of repressed sexual urges.(less)

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This question contains spoilers... (view spoiler)

Jillian Haha, say George Orr out loud, or get someone else to, then you’ll get it!

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I feel dumb seeing how much appraisal this has gotten. I'm just a few lines into the story, and I already can't get over the prose. Can anyone suggest ways of apprehending this? (Have to read it for class).

Joanna Yeah, the beginning part is a bit weird, but it gets better as it goes on, you'll see!…moreYeah, the beginning part is a bit weird, but it gets better as it goes on, you'll see!(less)

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what age range would you recommend this book for?

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