One of the more dynamic elements of the story was the concept of the “rescue distance” which Amanda discusses, which describes the amount of space she can allow between her and her young daughter in order to properly protect her from harm. When one considers how pesticides can gravely contaminate drinking water, much light is shed on this book’s message. Nevertheless, many sources remark that this book draws inspiration from the environmental issues in Argentina, which is a horrifying prospect in and of itself. Not to say that it’s not scary in its own handful of ways, but it is not scary in the conventional aspects of popular horror novels. Fever Dream is mostly horror and psychological fiction, and while there is a lot of unsettling imagery and ominous activity, it’s actually quite mild compared to other horror novels. At some times, I felt on the brink of important discovery during the two voices’ exchange, the next, not quite having found my answers but settling back in my chair as Amanda grapples to continue her story.Īlthough I wasn’t sure what to expect with this book, I believe I had anticipated it to be a thriller however, if you are going to read this book, you should know that it’s not. Fortunately I was able to read it in one sitting-otherwise I’d have been hard pressed to find a stopping place-but the pacing fluctuates between the high tension of their dialogue and Amanda’s lengthy flashbacks.

Its structure is a continuous form, devoid of chapters or breaks, and so in many ways, this is quite a compelling read. Can the reader really trust what either of them are saying, experiencing? Are either of them experiencing hallucinations, fantasies? Like looking through a tunnel, we follow Amanda’s perspective into the past, recounting the last week’s events with more clarity. His remarks are italicized and the hospital setting is murky their exchange is like talking heads excluded of any surrounding. She doesn’t know this boy or quite how she came to be in this hospital, but he urges her to remember at what point she began feeling “the worms” within her, presumably the moment that led to her hospitalization.Īs I gently lowered myself into the atmosphere of this book, I was immediately distrustful of Amanda and the boy.

Only about 150 pages, this book is narrated from the perspective of a woman named Amanda, who converses with a young boy after she regains some level of consciousness in a hospital bed. While searching for translated works in the horror genre to read during October this year, I first discovered the 2014 novel Fever Dream, written by Samanta Schweblin and translated to English by Megan McDowell, and I was likewise intrigued to read it. The title Fever Dream piques interest-that hot-and-cold, frenzied fantastical experience, what would a book with that name encapsulate?

Fever dream by samanta schweblin