44 pages • 1 hour read
Fever Dream
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Book Brief
184
Novel • Fiction
Argentina • Contemporary
2014
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
Fever Dream by Samanta Schweblin, translated by Megan McDowell, is a hallucinatory novel set in rural Argentina. Amanda, visiting from Buenos Aires with her young daughter, lies in a hospital bed with poisoning symptoms. Through a feverish dialogue with a mysterious boy named David, the story explores maternal anxiety, environmental pollution, and the blurred line between superstition and reality.
Unnerving
Mysterious
Dark
Suspenseful
Melancholic
Reviews & Readership
44,672 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Samanta Schweblin's Fever Dream, translated by Megan McDowell, is widely praised for its haunting, lyrical prose and suspenseful narrative. Critics admire its ability to evoke dread and its profound themes, but some find the abstract, non-linear plot disorienting. Overall, it's a compelling, though challenging, read that leaves a lasting impression.
Who Should Read Fever Dream?
A reader who appreciates psychological thrillers, taut narratives, and surreal, atmospheric storytelling would enjoy Fever Dream by Samanta Schweblin, translated by Megan McDowell. Fans of works like Blonde by Joyce Carol Oates or Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead by Olga Tokarczuk would find it captivating.
44,672 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Carla
Carla
A slightly older woman who Amanda befriends during her vacation, known for her glamorous appearance and complicated relationship with her son, David.
David
David
Carla's young son, who is mysterious and central to the novel’s tension, possibly appearing as a figment of Amanda’s imagination.
Nina
Nina
Amanda’s obedient and playful daughter, who shares a close, trusting relationship with her mother during their trip.
Omar
Omar
Carla's husband, a former horse breeder whose life is affected by the family's struggles, particularly those involving his son, David.
Amanda’s Husband
Amanda’s Husband
A scarcely mentioned figure who is involved in parenting Nina, indicative of the conventional expectation of fatherhood roles.
184
Novel • Fiction
Argentina • Contemporary
2014
Adult
18+ years
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