George Orr is a man who dreams effectively, turning his dreams in to reality. It's a gift he doesn't want, and after taking a number of dream-suppressing drugs he's referred to a psychiatrist with big ambitions for George's ability.

The story explores some straightforward themes - the ability to play God, whether the torture of one man can be justified for the benefit of mankind and how a willingness for doing good can be a truly destructive force. The book itself is easy reading, with very few twists along the way, and never really delves deeply into the themes it presents. It is an oddity for Le Guin - light reading.

That's not to say the story is not enjoyable, it's presented from the perspective of the protagonist, and little real consideration is given outside of his personal bubble. Probably an intentional effect, but I feel that some deeper world-building as George changes the world around him would have contributed to the texture of the story. George appears to live a live consisting of going to work, attending therapy and occasionally meeting one or two other people. The focus lies strictly to the psychiatrist's office, and the interaction between George and the psychiatrist. Very little dialog is given to exploring the themes. George is not an intellectual equal to the psychiatrist, and no real dialog occurs between George and Haber discussing the effects of the world around them. Both appear to take the play of the story in their stride, despite its astonishing consequences. This leads to a niggling feeling that this story could have been more, with these great ideas something bigger and richer could have been created, a five course dinner rather than a quick late-night burger.