
As an Amazon Associate and affiliate partner, Menrva Books earns from qualifying purchases. Learn more
This is a collection of stories in which nightmares and bad dreams are an essential part of the plot. In some stories the nightmare parallels or predicts events in waking life. In others, the nightmare takes over and the dreamer cannot get back to reality. There are also other stories which have a nightmarish quality to them. The characters are trapped and unable to make an escape.
A collection of narratives explores the thin boundary between the subconscious terrors of sleep and the harsh realities of waking life. The protagonists in these stories find themselves ensnared by psychological or supernatural forces that refuse to release them, forcing them to confront manifestations of their deepest anxieties. The narrative framework shifts between various perspectives, utilizing both traditional prose and atmospheric storytelling to emphasize the feeling of entrapment. Each story functions as a self-contained exploration of fear, where the logical constraints of the physical world are frequently subverted by the unpredictable nature of the dream state.
Readers frequently highlight the unsettling atmosphere that permeates this collection, noting how effectively the stories capture the disorientation of a nightmare. Discussion often centers on the variety of the entries, with many appreciating the balance between psychological tension and more overt supernatural occurrences. Critics observe that the pacing remains tight throughout the anthology, ensuring that the sense of dread is maintained even in shorter pieces. The work is often cited for its ability to evoke a visceral reaction, making it a frequent point of reference for those interested in the intersection of dreams and reality in fiction.
Page Count:
222
Publication Date:
2001-08-31
Publisher:
Oxford Univ Pr
ISBN-10:
0192781804
ISBN-13:
9780192781802
No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!