The Lathe of Heaven

by Ursula K. Le Guin · 1971

In a near‑future Earth scarred by endless war and ecological collapse, George Orr discovers a terrifying secret: his dreams reshape the world when he sleeps. When he is placed under the care of Dr. William Haber, a charismatic sleep specialist, the line between therapy and manipulation blurs. Haber quickly learns to harness George’s unconscious power, reshaping societies, climates, and histories to fit his own vision of a perfect world. As reality twists with each night’s reverie, George must confront the ethical abyss of wielding such god‑like influence and find allies who can help him protect the fragile fabric of existence. Le Guin’s haunting novel asks whether humanity can survive when the tools meant to heal become weapons of control.