The Dreamachine

by William Dickerson

Jasper Keepnews thinks his life is as normal as can be. That is until he becomes obsessed with The Dreamachine, a hypnotic 60s-era device popular with The Beat Generation. As it lures Jasper into the shadows of his mind, he discovers his own sordid past, as well as visions of a shocking future that involves a mysterious woman's death. That is when Jasper's reality begins to unravel while he races to find this woman, the government races to find him. Their most dangerous sleeper assassin is awake and they want their property back.In the era of "fake news" and the unending 24-hour news cycle, this sci-fi thriller pierces the heart of modern America. The clandestine practice of mind control is the driving force behind a near-future landscape that s unnervingly similar to our own. The brainwashing techniques first developed by the CIA in the 1950s have evolved at light speed for the 21st century. This nightmarish funhouse of a novel harkens back to the drug-fueled paranoia and failed promises of The Beat Generation. The Dreamachine, once meant to replace the television in living rooms all over the world, serves as the prototype for the most effective brainwashing technique a modern government has ever used against its citizens.***William Dickerson is an award-winning filmmaker and author. His debut feature film Detour, which he wrote and directed, was hailed as an "Underground Hit" by The Village Voice, an "emotional and psychological roller-coaster ride" by The Examiner, and nothing short of "authentic" by The New York Times. His first novel, No Alternative, was declared, "a sympathetic coming-of-age story deeply embedded in '90s music" by Kirkus Reviews. He recently adapted No Alternative into a motion picture starring Michaela Cavazos, Conor Proft, Chloe Levine, Kathryn Erbe and Harry Hamlin.

Genres: Science Fiction

222 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 22, 2018

About the author

William Dickerson is an award-winning filmmaker, author, musician, and professor. His debut feature film "Detour," which he wrote and directed, was hailed as an "Underground Hit" by The Village Voice, an "emotional and psychological roller-coaster ride" by The Examiner, and nothing short of "authentic" by The New York Times.

His first book, "No Alternative," was declared, "a sympathetic coming-of-age story deeply embedded in '90s music" by Kirkus Reviews. His book on filmmaking, "DETOUR: Hollywood - How To Direct a Microbudget Film (or any film, for that matter)," was called "candidly practical, thoroughly 'user friendly', and an essential instruction guide - especially for independent filmmakers working on shoestring budgets" by Midwest Book Review. William is a graduate of the American Film Institute Conservatory, served on their Alumni Executive Board, and was selected by The White House and AFI to serve as mentor to winners of the White House Student Film Festival under two Presidents of the United States.

His writing has been published by Indiewire, MovieMaker Magazine, Filmmaker Magazine, The Hollywood Reporter's The Wrap, Script Magazine, Talkhouse, and Save The Cat! He adapted and directed the film version of "No Alternative," which was released worldwide. The film stars Kathryn Erbe and Harry Hamlin and was selected as Dances With Films' "Opening Night Feature." The Los Angeles Times called the movie "a remarkably assured and deeply felt grunge-era coming-of-age picture," and Film Threat said it was "a rare indie gem that delivers solidly on all fronts with no missteps."

The movie, which was inspired by Dickerson's band from the 90s, won "Best Soundtrack" at the Paris Art and Movie Awards. His band, Saturday Saints (formerly Latterday Saints), is highlighted on the soundtrack alongside such musical luminaries as: Mudhoney, Lisa Loeb, Superdrag, Moby, sElf, Failure, Sebadoh, and others. The soundtrack was chosen as one of the official releases by Record Store Day 2019. Saturday Saints are signed to Rhyme & Reason Records on which they released their debut album entitled "Anhedonia."

William is also an experienced educator, having taught masters seminars and lectured on the subject of filmmaking at schools such as The American Film Institute, Boston University, Emerson College, California State University Los Angeles, and New York Film Academy. He is currently a faculty member at Hofstra University’s Lawrence Herbert School of Communication and AMDA College and Conservatory of the Performing Arts in New York City.

Reviews

[Rachel Bird · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Dreamachine’s protagonist is Jasper Keepnews, a seemingly normal office worker who becomes obsessed with The Dreamachine. The Dreamachine is a device associated with the Beat Generation and using it induces a hypnotic, dreamlike state. When Jasper builds his own version of the machine and uses it, he uncovers the shocking truth about both his past and his present. This throws him into a race to save himself and others from government forces who want to reclaim control of their valuable sleeper agent, no matter the cost. Dickerson does a good job making Jasper’s Dreamachine-induced visions unsettling and vivid. Also, while Jasper’s life at the beginning of the novel is mundane, the story soon amps up the action. There are some very memorable scenes in the book, such as an early scene in which Jasper squares off against a character he formerly trusted implicitly. In a few places, the use of tense is confusing. The book features frequent diversions into philosophical territory. These are definitely thematically relevant to the novel’s exploration of the Dreamachine and why it is seductive/valuable, but I felt these sections had a negative impact on suspense. I would have enjoyed the novel more if there had been greater emphasis on characterisation, particularly with some of the female characters.

[Mandy (MP Book Reviews) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jasper Keepnews has a normal news until he becomes obsessed with a 1960's device called the Dreamachine but in using it he uncovers his own past and a vision of the future that involves the death of a mystery woman. Then Jasper's reality unravels when he tries to find the woman and the government starts to try to find him as their most dangerous sleeper assassin is awake and they want their property back.

This book whist being a science fiction thriller actually does have some minor links to the 1960's past of the real world as it looks at mind control and some of the happenings from the drug crazed 1960's. It is well told and the descriptive style of the writing is very rich so that you really do appreciate the setting, characters and events in full. The story was definitely a thriller as it was quite dramatic in places and it definitely built up until the explosive ending of the story. A very enjoyable story that makes you stop and wonder not only if it is possible right now but if it has already happened.

[Elgin · Rating 1 out of 5]

Sorry, but this book did not do it for me. The concealed/reprogrammed identities is a familiar theme (The Bourne Identity, Total Recall (staring Arnold S.), the Truman Show (Jim Carey), The Manchurian Candidate, etc.) I usually enjoy such stories and had high hopes for this one. Unfortunately it fell short for lack of a plot, motivation, and failure to address many issues?

Why was Jaspar/Sam reprogrammed? Why was he trained up in the first place? Why was he reawakened? (exposure to the Cary's dream machine account and Cary's gift of the cane seemed
intended to cause this). Why kill him then? Why kill his wife? And the new found daughter really did not contribute anything to the story

Over 20% of the book (60% to a little more than 80% by my e-reader) had the protagonist hanging upside down seeing a few flashbacks from (supposedly) his earlier live interwoven with some metaphysical ramblings about rhythms, patterns, human consciousness, etc. However these passages did little to really address the issues listed above.

[Charles · Rating 5 out of 5]

A non-stop page turner!

The Dreamachine by William Dickerson is very eloquently written. The writing style is supremely colorful and descriptive. William Dickerson has a way of using words to precisely describe surroundings, characters, and objects throughout his book. This book is definitely a page turner, and is exquisitely written. The blend between fiction and reality is fascinating and the end will leave you very surprised and stunned. Overall, I must admit that it took me about 10 pages to really get into it, but after that I was hooked. I literally read the entire book in 2 days, I couldn't put it down! If you are looking to go on a literary journey that will have you eager to turn the page and find out what happens next this book is definitely for you! One thing is certain, I will definitely be on the lookout for more books from William Dickerson I thoroughly enjoyed this book cover to cover!

[T. Vand · Rating 2 out of 5]

While the book appeared to have an interesting premise, ultimately it didn't deviate enough from the trope of reprogramming identities (aka Total Recall) to make itself any different from similar stories to make it interesting. The plot had numerous holes and was underdeveloped, leaving a lot of questions to the point it drew me out of the story. The main character and even the secondary characters were very one dimensional and I was unable to connect with them or care about what happens to them. I still couldn't fully figure out Jasper's motivations either. On a positive note, I did enjoy the unsettling descriptions of Jasper's hallucinations/visions. Overall, the story needs more development of its plot and it's characters. Also, the story falls more into sci-fi suspense than sci-fi thriller.

[Ravin Maurice · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an odd book for me.
I didn't really know what to expect when I started. With subject matter like Burroughs and The Dream Machine I assumed there would be some trip out moments and this would read a bit like Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas; a drug induced trip through your dreams.
Its SO NOT. It got really cool, really fast. I am not going to give too much away because its a plot twist, but if you aren't really sure about this book as you start stick with it and keep going. There are periods of time that you aren't sure what is real and what isn't, and what is created by The Dreammachine. This is the story of Jasper and what happens to him and his life when he begins to research The Dreammachine, and its a wild ride. I recommend checking it out.

[Caitlynn Akin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although the story starts off a bit slow and philosophical, it quickly picks up as Jasper begins to make connections with his past. As he discovers information about a “dreamachine” through work research he begins to lose his grip on reality and question whether the woman frequenting his dreams is really someone in his life. As he searches for this mysterious dream woman, his present life begins to unravel. Although some of the metaphysical components of the book were a bit mundane and confusing, it secret plot line piqued my interest. I was quickly reading to find where everyone’s loyalty lies.

[Caitlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was admittedly much more entertaining that I expected! I found the initial concept to be really intriguing, and the plot was really fun and exciting. The novel was well-written and smart, with some clever twists and cultural references. I did get lost a little bit towards the end, as things got harder and harder to believe (to be fair, I do prefer a slightly more realistic story) but the story as a whole was very fun! Definitely had a noir feel and was an entertaining read for fans of thrillers and mysteries with a hint of sci-fi.

[Read Ng · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a GoodReads giveaway win of a Kindle ebook.

I lost interest and put this down for a while. I restarted this book a couple of days ago. I just couldn't get into this book. There is some action, but the main characters needed a lot more fleshing out. It was kind of a Total Recall premise set in the present, but not well developed nor executed. It wasn't horrible, but it wasn't well thought out nor written to intrigue not stimulate one with new concepts. It discourages me from investing a lot of time in ebooks.

Have a GoodReads.

[Meg · Rating 5 out of 5]

This sci-fi page-turner makes you wonder about the "what ifs" in your life. Its gripping blend of mystery and futuristic imaginings make the book a most satisfying read. I received this book as part of the Goodreads Giveaway program.

[Christy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This had a very "Dark Matter" vibe.. I loved the concept and the movement of the storyline - definitely a different read!

[Catherine · Rating 1 out of 5]

The intro was more interesting than the story. It's sad when it's the first chapter and I was skipping passages to see if it would get interesting.
DNF 11%

[Amileigh Gordon]

#GoodreadsGiveaway