Dreamside

by Graham Joyce

Book Overview

Finally available in America: the debut novel from the author of The Tooth Fairy and Dark Sister It began as an experiment in college--a seemingly harmless investigation into "lucid dreaming," the ability to control one's dreams. But they stayed too long on Dreamside, and now, ten years later, the dreams have returned--returned to upend their adult lives. The dreams of youth fade, if you're lucky. If not, they can consume you . . . and will.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0312875460
• ISBN13: 9780312875466
• Release Date: March 2001
• Publisher: Tor Books
• Length: 256 Pages
• Weight: 0.55 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.6" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

A Thrilling Take on a Stale Idea

Certainly the idea of crossing the borderline between dreams and reality, only to face disastrous consequences, is not a new one, but Graham Joyce's rendering of this idea isn't stale. His account of Ella, Lee, Brad, and Honora's experiences with lucid dreaming and the havoc these experiments unleash in their lives is a fascinating and engrossing fast-paced read. While Joyce doesn't completely wrap up all of the loose ends, he doesn't really need to. He gives the story the kind of closure and incident like this would have in real life: it isn't necessary to understand everything that happens as long as the terror finally stops.

A place where dreams and reality merge.

Four young college students form an experimental group working in controlling dreams through the use of "lucid dreaming". They grow to be very close; two are lovers, one is universally despised by the other three, but all four are inextricably linked through their common "Dreamside" adventures. At a crucial point in their research, the project leader (a professor of paranormal studies)dies, leaving the students to try to further their research on their own. Unfortunately, they don't exercise restraint and they abandon themselves to the seductive charms of "Dreamside". All it took was one act of violence to cause "Dreamside" to collide with waking reality. Years later the four are stalked by nightmares and terror born of the horror they created "Dreamside". A terror that demands to be dealt with. It was enjoyable to finally read Joyce's debut novel. Other reviewers have said that it isn't a horror novel -- that it is just sci-fi. I feel that it contains elements of both, seamlessly merged by Joyce's writing skill (and he does possess prodigious writing skill!). Everything that happens seems possible and subtley creepy. This is not a book to read right before sleeping! Also, the ending didn't disappoint me as it has others. I found it to be logical, yet open to imagination. I could see the possibility of a sequel as well. I highly recommend this journey into the darkness of the mind.

A Chilling work of horror

Over a decade ago, four college students (Lee Peterson, Ella Innes, Brad Cousins, and Honora Brennan) were part of an experiment into "lucid dreaming". The experiment was considered safe as what harm could come from controlling one's dreams. However, on the DREAMSIDE of existence, the quartet began to intermingle and destroy their conscious lives. All four fled in terror from DREAMSIDE and more so from each other in an attempt to obtain peace of mind and regain a piece of reality. Now, as adults the dreams have returned as frightening nightmares. Desperate, the four seek each other out in a hope that together they can find a solution to the ever-growing darkness of the DREAMSIDE that threatens to destroy each one of them. Unable to be together because of the geometric potency of their combined dreaming, the foursome cannot separate if they are to find hope of escaping this nightmare. DREAMSIDE is the American release of the debut novel of award winning author Graham Joyce (see THE TOOTH FAIRY and DARK SISTER). The story line is exciting and filled with increasing terror that works because the characters seem real as they struggle to cope with needing each other to survive even as they know that being together intensifies their individual and group fears. Although, a superb novel that showcases Mr. Joyce's talent, the climax seems abrupt and left questions unanswered. Still, this is classic science fiction along the lines of the Outer Limits and Flatliners.Harriet Klausner

Pleasants dreams, huh...

With what began as simply curiousity beginning with "The Tooth Fairy," has now evolved into a sort of psuedo-obsession, trying to find, purchase, and read the rest of Joyce's works... It's a rarity indeed to discover an author who actually has the gift to make their characters breathe...In "Dreamside," the four college students who have unearthed the bewildering veils between the physical and the metaphysical, act in such a way, well, that four college students might be expected to act... And that's what makes this novel an excellent read... This new fan is definitely looking forward to more of Graham Joyce's works...

Finally!

For fans of Graham Joyce's enigmatic writings, this is a welcome U.S. release. Although written almost 10 years ago while he lived in the Greek isles, this is the first opportunity Joyce's U.S fans have gotten to read this work that revolves around controlling your dreams. It does show a few "first writer" rough edges but they are so few and far between I shouldn't even mention them. Joyce almost appeared to pop out as an accomplished novelist right from the get-go. This work, written in 1991, shows Joyce at his existential best (although it's definitely character-driven like his other works Tooth Fairy and Requiem, not at all obtuse)!Definitely pick this up, it gives you a great feel for Graham Joyce's beginnings as a writer.