In an isolated college town in the California mountains, a student falls into a deep sleep and cannot be woken. This unexplained contagion quickly spreads through a dormitory and then the wider community, forcing a strict military quarantine. Those afflicted show unusually high levels of brain activity, suggesting they are trapped in dreams far more intense than reality. The narrative follows a biology professor protecting his young daughters, a student couple expecting a child, and two survivalists as they navigate the breakdown of social order and the fear of a slumber that might be permanent.
This book serves readers of speculative fiction and psychological thrillers who prioritize atmosphere and human behavior over scientific explanations. It appeals to those interested in how ordinary people react to sudden isolation and the physical sensation of a slow-motion catastrophe. Readers gain a perspective on the fragility of civic infrastructure and the blurry boundary between subconscious imagination and conscious life. The story leaves the audience considering the value of memory and the ways a shared crisis reveals individual priorities.
Inward-looking; a moderate read.
Best for readers like The Empathetic Explorer. Which reader are you?
- Published
- 2019
- Language
- EN
