The Cure for Dreaming

Hypnotism, mind control, and the birth of feminism are woven into an audio tale that's just a bit creepy and a little bit preachy. Jennifer Ikeda narrates the story of 17-year-old Olivia, who is chomping at the bit to get out from under the tyrannical control of her father. It's Halloween night, 1900, in Portland, Oregon, and the world is changing as it heads into the twentieth century. Women are fighting for the right to vote, men are trying to keep them in their place, and people are curious about vampires, particularly Dracula; mesmerism; and mind control. Ikeda delivers the story as if caught in the hypnotic trance that starts Olivia on her journey, displaying little emotion or enthusiasm. The resulting emotional distance drains the life from this disturbing tale. N.E.M. © AudioFile 2015, Portland, Maine

September 22, 2014
During a stage show on Halloween night in the year 1900, 17-year-old Olivia Mead is hypnotized by Henri Reverie, a dashing young mesmerist visiting Portland, Ore., from Montreal. The hypnosis is such a success that Olivia’s controlling father hires Henri to render Olivia proper and docile, eliminating her free spirit, passion for a career, and growing support of the women’s suffrage movement. However, Henri deceives Olivia’s father with slippery language, commanding Olivia to “see the world the way it truly is,” and only be able to say the words “all is well” in response. Suddenly, Olivia’s father and other misogynistic citizens appear to her as terrifying vampiric creatures, women are seen in cages or vanishing into thin air, and those who support women’s rights glow “with breathtaking luminescence.” A subtle setup this is not, but Winters (In the Shadow of Blackbirds) creates a rich, gothic backdrop (further brought to life through period photographs and illustrations) for a story that will open many readers’ eyes to historical injustices inflicted on women—injustices with plenty of present-day parallels. Ages 12–up. Agent: Barbara Poelle, Irene Goodman Agency.

February 1, 2015

Gr 8 Up-To celebrate her 17th birthday, Olivia Mead attends the Portland, OR, stage show of Henri Reverie, a talented mesmerist about her own age. She soon encounters Henri a second time-her overbearing father hires him to cure Olivia through hypnotism of unladylike notions such as wearing pants, riding a bike alone, and supporting women's voting rights. After Henri's treatment, Olivia can respond only with a dreamy "All is well" when confronted by "unfeminine" thoughts. But all is not well! A side effect of the hypnosis is that Olivia now sees people as they truly are. A society boy is seen as the lecher he is at heart, and sickening ghouls dine at an upper-class party. Henri, who has secrets of his own, is touched by Olivia's plight, and joins forces with her to trick her father and confront those who mock the suffragettes. Narrator Jennifer Ikeda has a soothing style, though an occasional voice ventures close to shrill. VERDICT The rich historical context and hints of magic will appeal to fans of Winters's debut, In the Shadow of Blackbirds, as well as to fans of Jennifer Donnelly and Libba Bray.-Maggie Knapp, Trinity Valley School, Fort Worth, TX

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