''Wine of the Dreamers'' is a 1951 science fiction novel by American writer

John D. MacDonald John Dann MacDonald (July 24, 1916December 28, 1986) was an American writer of novels and short stories. He is known for his thrillers. MacDonald was a prolific author of crime and suspense novels, many set in his adopted home of Florida. On ...

. ''Wine of the Dreamers'' was his first science fiction novel and one of his earliest published novels altogether. Though he later also wrote the science fiction novels '' Ballroom of the Skies'' and '' The Girl, the Gold Watch & Everything'', MacDonald was primarily a writer of mysteries. A later version was published under the name ''Planet of the Dreamers'' before reverting to the original title upon further printings. The book is set both on Earth (dealing with a top-secret military spaceflight project in an imagined 1975) and a far-away planet of humans able to influence Earth while they sleep, believing that the planet and all its inhabitants are simply part of their dreams that they can toy with. MacDonald described the book as "a symbolic novel of how when original purposes are forgotten, the uses of ritual can be destructive." ''Galaxy'' reviewer Groff Conklin wrote that "The skill and the imagination with which the tale is developed are genuinely satisfying."

P. Schuyler Miller Peter Schuyler Miller (February 21, 1912 – October 13, 1974) was an American science fiction writer and critic. Life Miller was raised in New York's Mohawk Valley, which led to a lifelong interest in the Iroquois Indians. He pursued this as ...

found the novel to be "well and smoothly told, with likable characters a bit beyond the cardboard stage.""The Reference Library", ''

Astounding Science Fiction ''Analog Science Fiction and Fact'' is an American science fiction magazine published under various titles since 1930. Originally titled ''Astounding Stories of Super-Science'', the first issue was dated January 1930, published by William C ...

'', April 1952, p.112-13

References

1951 American novels 1951 science fiction novels American science fiction novels Space exploration novels Science fantasy novels Novels by John D. MacDonald {{1950s-sf-novel-stub