Perchance to Dream: Classic Book Guide and Free Edition
Perchance to Dream: author and translator credits, catalogue synopsis, subjects and links to the Gutenberg reading formats.
Perchance to Dream is catalogued by Project Gutenberg with author credits for Stockham, Richard.
Catalogue synopsis
Project Gutenberg supplies this automated synopsis of the opening text:
"Perchance to Dream" by Richard Stockham is a science fiction novella written in the mid-20th century. The narrative explores themes of existential despair and the search for meaning within a meticulously controlled dystopian city. The story follows the life of a worker, known only as Twenty-three, who grapples with a profound sense of emptiness as he dreams of escape and a more vibrant existence beyond the confines of his machine-driven reality. The plot centers on Twenty-three's struggles within the oppressive environment of the city, where individuals are conditioned to control their dreams using a prescribed dream machine. As he experiences increasingly troubling dreams, he begins to question the purpose of their monotonous toil and the life they are living. The arrival of alternative dream cards from a mysterious man offers him a glimpse of hope and freedom. Driven by a desire to escape, Twenty-three embarks on a journey of self-discovery that culminates in a desperate act to break free from the dream machine—ultimately leading him to a richer, more fulfilling existence beyond the city's walls, where life and nature flourish in stark contrast to the sterile environment he has known. Through Twenty-three's awakening, the novella contemplates the value of individual dreams and the importance of pursuing true freedom.
Book and edition facts
- Title: Perchance to Dream
- Author credits: Stockham, Richard
- Catalogue language: English
Catalogue subjects
- Dreams -- Fiction
- Dystopias -- Fiction
- Science fiction
- Short stories
Gutenberg collections
- Category: Novels
- Category: Science-Fiction & Fantasy
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View the complete Gutenberg catalogue record. Project Gutenberg identifies this edition as public domain in the United States; that designation does not establish its copyright status in every country.
Source notes
Catalogue metadata is public domain and is supplied through Gutendex, which imports Gutenberg's machine-readable catalogue. The automated synopsis is source-supplied, not an independently verified review. Author dates above describe the credited people; no ebook release date is presented as the book's original publication date.
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