LeGuin, Ursula K. The Lathe of Heaven. NY: Avon Books, 1997 (originally published in 1971 by Scribner). 184pp. $12.00 (paper). 77-162760. ISBN 0-380-79185-4. C.I.P.
The Lathe of Heaven is the best-thought-through treatment of change of the past that I have read. In this case, it is present change with retroactive change to accommodate the present. It also treats the concept of the evil consequences of good intentions, the question of whether "we can do it" always means "we should do it." LeGuin lets you get inside each of the characters in developing the outer story, so it is as much psychological as "science" fiction. George Orr has regular dreams, but also "effective" dreams which become true retroactively. He thinks he has gone crazy (no one else remembers the changes for more than a fraction of a second because to do so is too worldview-wrenching). So Orr goes to a psychiatrist, who himself comes to see the "effect" of these dreams. Now, with hypnotic suggestions, the good doctor can save the world...—Mick Collins, Peace Corps, Washington, DC
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