Review: The Living Sea of ​​Daydreams by Richard Flanagan

Review of the book “The Living Sea of ​​Waking Dreams” by Richard Flanagan.

“The Living Sea of ​​Waking Dreams” is a novel by Australian writer Richard Flanagan that takes us on an exciting journey through the mind of the protagonist, a man named Kif Kehlmann, who is hired to write a profile of a business guru named Siegfried Heidl. . With intelligent and exciting prose, Flanagan takes us into a dark and dangerous world of obsession, deceit, and betrayal.

The Living Sea of ​​Daydreams is the title of the latest novel by Australian writer Richard Flanagan, winner of the Man Booker Prize in 2014 for The Narrow Road to the Deep North. In this work, Flanagan offers us a reflection on life and death, family and memory, love and pain, in a context of ecological and social crisis that threatens to destroy the world we know.

The novel tells the story of Anna, a woman who sees her mother slowly fading away in a hospital, while she and her two brothers must decide whether to keep her alive artificially or let her die with dignity. At the same time, Anna experiences a strange and mysterious loss of body parts, which no one seems to notice or explain. Is it a hallucination, a metaphor or reality? What does it mean to disappear in a world that is also fading?

Flanagan immerses us in the minds of Anna and her mother, who remember episodes from their past, dream of a better future or take refuge in an imaginary world where anything is possible. Through their voices, the author tells us about the complexity of family relationships, guilt and forgiveness, hope and resignation, beauty and horror. With poetic and enveloping prose, Flanagan creates an atmosphere full of emotion and tension, where the reader feels trapped by the strength of the characters and their dilemmas.

The living sea of ​​waking dreams is a novel that questions us about the meaning of our existence and our role on the planet. It is a work that makes us reflect on what we are willing to do for love and survival. It is a work that moves us because of its honesty and humanity. It is a work that does not leave anyone indifferent.

The novel begins with Kif Kehlmann, an Australian-born writer struggling to make a living, accepting a job writing a profile of Siegfried Heidl, a German businessman who is being investigated for fraud. Kif takes the job hoping to make enough money to help his wife and daughter, but he soon realizes that his life is in danger.

As Kif delves deeper into Heidl’s life, he discovers that the man is a master of deception and manipulation. Kif begins to have vivid and disturbing dreams in which he finds himself in dangerous and violent situations. He also begins to have a relationship with a mysterious woman named Frieda, who seems to know more about Heidl than she lets on.

What I liked most about this novel is the way Flanagan explores themes like identity, obsession, and betrayal. The plot is exciting and full of unexpected twists, but it is the exploration of the human psyche that really attracted me. Kif is a complex and fascinating character, who finds himself fighting for his life while trying to discover the truth about Heidl. I loved the way Flanagan takes us into Kif’s mind and shows us his internal struggle.

Flanagan’s prose is also a highlight of the novel. She is clear and precise, but there are also moments when her prose becomes poetic and emotional. There are some scenes in particular that are really powerful and stay with you long after you’ve finished the book.

In short, “The Living Sea of ​​Waking Dreams” is an exciting and emotionally impactful novel that explores deep themes such as identity, obsession, and betrayal. The plot is exciting and full of unexpected twists, but it is the exploration of the human psyche that really attracted me. If you are looking for an exciting and deep read, I definitely recommend this book.