The Palace of Dreams
The Palace of Dreams
Book Brief
Beta208
Novel • Fiction
Ottoman Empire • 19th century
1998
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
The Palace of Dreams by Ismail Kadare follows a person named Mark-Alem, who works at a government institution called the Palace of Dreams. The Palace collects and interprets citizens' dreams to maintain control and predict potential threats to the state. Mark-Alem's journey explores themes of power, bureaucracy, and the role of dreams in society.
Mysterious
Dark
Unnerving
Contemplative
Melancholic
Reviews & Readership
5,632 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
The Palace of Dreams by Ismail Kadare is lauded for its allegorical depth and exploration of totalitarianism. Readers appreciate Kadare's vivid storytelling and the novel's Kafkaesque atmosphere. However, some criticize its dense prose and complex narrative, which may challenge casual readers. Overall, it's praised as a thought-provoking and powerful work.
Who Should Read The Palace of Dreams?
Readers who enjoy The Palace of Dreams by Ismail Kadare typically appreciate political allegory, philosophical themes, and dystopian narratives. They may also be drawn to works like Orwell's 1984 and Kafka's The Trial. This book attracts those interested in exploring power dynamics and the interplay between dreams and reality.
5,632 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
The Palace of Dreams was banned in Albania shortly after its publication in 1981 because it was seen as a critique of the oppressive government regime at the time.
The novel was translated into English and published in 1993, over a decade after its original publication in Albanian.
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Ismail Kadare became the first winner of the Man Booker International Prize in 2005, an award that recognizes a writer’s body of work translated into English.
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208
Novel • Fiction
Ottoman Empire • 19th century
1998
Adult
18+ years
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