A Man Lies Dreaming

by Lavie Tidhar
A Man Lies Dreaming cover
Good Books rating 4.0
Fantasy, Political, Military, Adventure
Buy online
Waterstones
Paperback • £8.99
Amazon
Format/Price Check
Technical
  • ID: 10051
  • Added: 2026-01-11
  • Updated: 2026-01-20
  • ISBN: 9781625674920
  • Publisher: JABberwocky Literary Agency, Incorporated
  • Published: 2020-04-01
  • Formats: 1
  • Reviews: 3

A Man Lies Dreaming by Lavie Tidhar is a darkly humorous and prescient exploration of fantasy and reality. Set in 1939, the novel follows Adolf Hitler, now known as Wolf, a disgraced private investigator in a London ruled by British Fascism. When he takes on the case of a missing Jewish heiress, his life becomes entangled with the dreams of Shomer, a Yiddish pulp writer imprisoned in Auschwitz. The novel blends historical fiction with speculative elements, offering a unique and thought-provoking narrative. Praise for the novel includes its dark humor, powerful exploration of the impossibility of fantasy, and its prescient political commentary. The book has won multiple awards and has been translated into several languages, gaining a cult following for its originality and bold storytelling.

Reviews
Bookishly Jewish · 2023-10-16
moving 4.00

The book is not pretty but profoundly moving, celebrating the power of the mind to triumph over the physical.

The reviewer acknowledges that the book is not pretty but finds it profoundly moving. They appreciate the book's exploration of the power of the mind to triumph over physical challenges. The reviewer also highlights the book's emotional depth and its ability to evoke strong feelings in the reader. They find the book to be a powerful and moving experience, despite its graphic content.

Quick quotes

    A Man Lies Dreaming is not pretty, but to me it was profoundly moving.

    It celebrates the power of the mind to triumph over the physical.

    The book's emotional depth and ability to evoke strong feelings.

The New York Times · 2016-03-18
thought-provoking 3.50

The novel is not for the faint-hearted but offers a unique and thought-provoking exploration of revenge and redemption.

The reviewer notes that the novel is not for the faint-hearted but offers a unique and thought-provoking exploration of revenge and redemption. They appreciate the book's ability to challenge the reader's perceptions and provoke thought. The reviewer also highlights the book's emotional depth and its ability to evoke strong feelings in the reader. They find the book to be a powerful and moving experience, despite its graphic content.

Quick quotes

    It would be easy to dismiss this novel, which comes bearing high praise from British reviewers, as an affront to good taste, but that would be a mistake.

    The novel is not for the faint-hearted but offers a unique and thought-provoking exploration of revenge and redemption.

    The book's ability to challenge the reader's perceptions and provoke thought.

The Guardian · 2014-10-15
brilliant 4.50

The book is shocking and brilliant, treating the topic of genocide with an energetic unseriousness. It is a unique and thought-provoking read.

The reviewer finds the book to be both shocking and brilliant, noting its unique approach to a heavy topic. They appreciate the energetic and somewhat unserious treatment of genocide, which makes the book stand out. The reviewer also highlights the book's ability to provoke thought and discussion, making it a memorable read. However, they caution that the book's content might not be suitable for everyone due to its graphic nature.

Quick quotes

    This is a shocking book as well as a rather brilliant one, and it treats the topic of genocide with a kind of energetic unseriousness.

    It is a unique and thought-provoking read.

    The book's content might not be suitable for everyone due to its graphic nature.

Appears in Lists