THE LATHE OF HEAVEN

This book illustrates why Le Guin has become one of the most distinctive voices in American science fiction. The premise here is that some poor slob discovers that whatever he dreams becomes reality when he awakes. He's seized upon by a megalomaniacal shrink who uses him to make the world a better place. Only things keep going wrong. Susan Omallie does a mediocre job with this material. Towards the end, one occasionally hears vocal fatigue in the form of dry mouth. There's a line or two that somebody forgot to edit out. Still, the material is strong enough to carry her through all nine sides. Y.R. ©AudioFile, Portland, Maine [Published: DEC/JAN 99]