Lü Sheng's 癡人說夢記 (A Fool's Tale of Dreams) is a quiet, unsettling journey into a mind coming apart at the seams.

The Story

The story follows an ordinary man whose dreams become increasingly vivid and absorbing. At first, they're just strange stories his mind tells at night. But soon, he begins to linger in them, finding details and emotions that feel more real than his daily routine. He starts seeing patterns and connections that no one else can. As he dedicates himself to understanding and even chasing these dreams, his waking life—his job, his relationships—begins to feel like the lesser reality. The plot isn't driven by action, but by the slow, creeping erosion of the boundary between two worlds.

Why You Should Read It

This book got under my skin. It’s not scary in a jump-scare way; it’s deeply psychological. Lü Sheng writes with a precise, almost clinical clarity that makes the protagonist's descent feel terrifyingly plausible. You’re not watching a madman; you’re walking right beside him, seeing the logic in his illogic. The tension comes from wondering if he’s on the brink of a profound discovery or a complete breakdown. It asks big questions about where creativity ends and delusion begins, all through the intimate lens of one man’s crumbling world.

Final Verdict

Perfect for readers who love character-driven, thoughtful fiction that explores the edges of the human mind. If you enjoyed the introspective dread of novels like 'The Bell Jar' or the reality-bending unease of 'Piranesi,' but wanted a story rooted in a more familiar, everyday setting, this is your next read. Be prepared for a slow, thoughtful burn that will leave you looking at your own dreams a little differently.