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The Dreamers by Karen Thompson Walker
Publisher: Random House
Release Date: January 15, 2019
Length: 320 pages
Amazon
{A Bit of Backstory}
Single Sentence Summary
In a small rural town, a college freshman sleeps and can’t be woken, then another, then more, and more, and more until the mysterious illness takes over the town and the lives of everyone in it.
From the Publisher
“Those affected by the illness, doctors discover, are displaying unusual levels of brain activity, higher than has ever been recorded before. They are dreaming heightened dreams—but of what?
Written in luminous prose, The Dreamers is a breathtaking and beautiful novel, startling and provocative, about the possibilities contained within a human life—if only we are awakened to them.
The Draw
- I adored Walker’s debut, The Age of Miracles.
- A mysterious sleeping illness.
- Emily St. John Mandel endorsement.
{My Thoughts}
What Worked For Me
The Historical Start – Karen Thompson Walker began The Dreamers with a brief rundown of sleeping illnesses over the centuries. I thought this glimpse into the past gave her story some historical gravitas, lifting it beyond a dystopian tale.
Walker’s Writing – It was just SO GOOD! She could turn a phrase to make me stop and take note, while still feeling completely authentic to her story and propelling the reader deeper in its grasp.
“But whoever shares her lipstick that day, whoever borrows her eyeliner, whoever kisses her cheek that night or dances too close of clinks her flute of champagne, whoever touches her hand to admire the ring, whoever catches the bouquet at the end of the night – all of them, every one, is exposed.
This is how the sickness travels best: through all the same channels as do fondness and friendship and love.”
A Large, Rich Cast of Characters – The Dreamers was ultimately the story of an unknown illness that took over a small, isolated college town, but its story was told through the people who lived there. Walker used no true “main” characters, but instead a variety of community members to track the disease’s arc. Favorites included:
- Mei – Roommate to the very first victim, Mei was a young woman already isolated, finding her voice.
- Sara & Libby – Sisters left alone when their survivalist father falls into sleep.
“His voice is rising to a shout, and the more he talks, the less the girls do, as if the volume were like oxygen, a thing that runs out.”
- Ben & Annie – Fragile new parents fearing for themselves and their tiny daughter.
- Catherine – A psychiatrist looking for ways to help survivors and families affected by this strange new disease.
A Far from Neat and Tidy Ending – I have mixed feelings about the ending of The Dreamers. I appreciate that Walker leaves the reader with elements to ponder and a conclusion to think about long after turning the last page, but….
What Didn’t
A Far from Neat and Tidy Ending – …at the same time, the ending felt very abrupt. I’d liked to have seen just a little more closure on both the disease and the people living in its wake. Still, this was just a minor flaw for me.
{The Final Assessment}
I adored Walker’s debut, The Age of Miracles, so was somewhat nervous about picking up her sophomore novel, but I needn’t have worried. I think her second book was every bit as good as the first and had the same “new reality” quality that made me a fan. The Dreamers proved to be a wonderful start to my 2019 reading and a book I can highly recommend. Grade: A-
If you liked this book you might also enjoy:
- The Age of Miracles by Karen Thompson Walker – The journey of a middle school girl living with the reality of time slowing down, days and nights growing longer and longer.
- Gather the Daughters by Jennie Melamed – A dystopian story of young women and girls who fight against their male dominated society’s tradition of valuing daughters above all else. (my review)
Note: I received a copy of this book from Random House (via NetGalley) in exchange for my honest review. Thank you!
Disclosure: There are Amazon Associate links included within this post.
Agreed about the ending..although I didn’t think it was abrupt so much as anti-climactic. But, a very minor flaw…excellent book! I’m thinking it has a good shot at making my Top 10 of 2019.
Wow Sarah, potential top 10!! That’s awesome for the start of the new year!
You’re right abrupt wasn’t quite the word for the ending. It just sort of happened with no ta-da type moments..
I started this last night and so far I really like it, especially her writing. I’m so happy to hear it there’s a large cast of characters. Little nervous about that ending but I’m interested to see where I fall
Let me know how you like it. The characters were so well done.
Wonderful review! I’m really looking forward to this one. I recently read Station Eleven and have learned that I enjoy literary dystopian novels.
Station Eleven is one of my vary favorite books. I’m glad you enjoyed it and I think you’ll like The Dreamers, too.
Ha!
That’s Just what I was going to say 🎯
Excellent review Susie! You touched on exactly why I loved this book – the characters and the writing. I wasn’t bothered by the ending either but when I recommend the book to others I do mention that if they like neat and tidy endings this book doesn’t have one.
I’m certain this will be on my list of 2019 favorites. And now I have to read her first book. Not sure how I missed it when it was first released.
Thank you so much, Jan. This seems to be a book most everyone is liking and it could very well end up on my best of list this year, too. When you’re looking for a backlist read do pick up The Age of Miracles. Its premise alone was fascinating.
This book has been EVERYWHERE lately. I’m glad it lived up to the hype for you!
Happily, this is one of those books that lives up to all the hype!
I’m hoping to read this one soon; I like the sound of it. Glad you seemed to enjoy it (except for ending)
I didn’t not enjoy the ending. It was just a really different sort of ending. Let me know what you think.
Great review! I loved it as well. It took me a little while to get into it–the large cast of characters left me feeling a little adrift at first, especially since there were so many micro-stories with characters we didn’t continue to follow (e.g., in the dorm). It felt the opposite of The Age of Miracles in that way–I remember really caring about those characters from the start. I got past it about halfway through, though, after returning to the ones you listed above several times and feeling more invested in their stories.
And I just love her writing–that quote about the bride stood out to me, too.
I agree with you that even though both of Walker’s books have that dystopian edge to them, they played out very differently. I feel like I might have liked The Age of Miracles a little more, but that was also four or five years ago, so it’s hard to compare.
Wonderful review. I wasn’t sure whether I wanted to read this, but I may have to rethink it!
Monica
Thanks, Monica. Obviously, I vote for you to read The Dreamers!
This reminds me of one of Stephen King’s last novels… haha the premise was a bit similar! I don’t know if I would enjoy it… what do you think?
I didn’t mind the ending, it gave me lots to ponder. I liked the story and all the possibilities that could happen in a quarantined environment. Yet, it wan’t one of those books I couldn’t put down.
If you haven’t read Walker-Thompson’s first book, The Age of Miracles, you might want to give it a try. I think it’s even better than The Dreamers.