Knave of Dreams

by Andre Norton

Ramsay Kimble finds himself living in an alien world, the focus of a complex and dangerous political struggle, and only his ability to dream can help him triumph over his adversaries.

Genres: Fantasy, Science Fiction, Fiction, Science Fiction Fantasy, Paranormal

252 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1975

About the author

Andre Norton, born Alice Mary Norton, was a pioneering American author of science fiction and fantasy, widely regarded as the Grande Dame of those genres. She also wrote historical and contemporary fiction, publishing under the pen names Andre Alice Norton, Andrew North, and Allen Weston. She launched her career in 1934 with The Prince Commands, adopting the name “Andre” to appeal to a male readership. After working for the Cleveland Library System and the Library of Congress, she began publishing science fiction under “Andrew North” and fantasy under her own name. She became a full-time writer in 1958 and was known for her prolific output, including Star Man’s Son, 2250 A.D. and Witch World, the latter spawning a long-running series and shared universe. Norton was a founding member of the Swordsmen and Sorcerers' Guild of America and authored Quag Keep, the first novel based on the Dungeons & Dragons game. She influenced generations of writers, including Lois McMaster Bujold and Mercedes Lackey. Among her many honors were being the first woman named Gandalf Grand Master of Fantasy and SFWA Grand Master. In her later years, she established the High Hallack Library to support research in genre fiction. Her legacy continues with the Andre Norton Award for young adult science fiction and fantasy.

Reviews

[Richard · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of Andre Norton’s best. It is a fabulous science-fantasy using her dream/alternate universe theme. The characters are vivid, the plot exciting, and the thematic approach handled very cleverly. It is a very fine adventure novel . Don’t miss it!

[Max · Rating 3 out of 5]

Perhaps I should give this more stars, because I really enjoyed it. But I must admit that some of the enjoyment is its appeal to the juvenile in me. The hero Ramsay finds his mind transferred from his body in his ordinary life to another in a fantastical world. Being transported to another world (in spirit or in flesh) is a common sci-fi trope of great appeal to lonely nerds like I was. Bonus for palace intrigue and alien technology. Seeing it through the eyes of someone to whom it is also all new is the value of this trope.

Ramsay is a competent hero, but at times his circumstances make him seem like just a passenger to destiny. It is often frustrating for him, and I share this frustration as a reader. He does, of course, eventually wrest control of his fate. There is an odd change in tempo as he does though, with events preceding as quickly as the beginning passes slowly.

The relationships formed feel a bit awkward. The strong bond formed with the captain Dedan feels a bit forced. Far stronger than one would expect in the time they spend together, even under the extremity of their circumstance. So too with the romance.

Still, not a bad read. Andre Norton does have a mastery of male characters, and yet there's something a bit different. Even before I discovered she was female, something seemed to be a little different in her books. I will probably repeat this on all my reviews of her books, but I wish we could have known what her writing would have been like without the constraints imposed by such a chauvinistic time (not that our own doesn't have its own issues).

[Charlie Pasta · Rating 1 out of 5]

Another uninspired Andre Norton read. Basically just a weak isekai. This concept had already been so thoroughly beaten to death in sci fi novels by this time from John Carter to Gor. Im not opposed to a good trope but this isnt even particularly enjoyable. I suffered all the way through to the end and realized that I should have just given up when I realized what it was.
All that being said, Im definitely no Norton hater and I still plan to continuing reading her books.

[Sarah Rigg · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was obsessed with Andre Norton in my preteen/early teen years and read a lot of her stuff. I know for sure I read this one because I mentioned it in my journal from that period.

[Nathan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read!!

[Valerie]

Another alternate universe book. Many of these stories involve people rediscovering old knowlege, but nobody seems to develop new stuff. There seems to be an argument that there's only so much possible variation in the world(s), and nobody COULD come up with novel developments.

The 'Knave of Dreams' is a Trickster figure, presented fairly ambiguously here. It's a tribute to a more-than-usually-complex development that (most of) the villains actually turn out to be human beings, with understandable motives. Now if people would develop negotiation techniques, and stop killing villains off...

[Lani · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another Andre Norton story from my college days. I loved this book again because it was easy, breezy and helped me escape the drudgery of college textbooks.

It is the standard mind-swap story with a slight twist. Ramsey Kimble cannot go home to his body because it died in a car crash just before he was swapped with a crown prince. Our hero must figure out how to play politics and find out who wants him dead.

Ms. Norton creates a believable world and premise with just enough suspense. This story is made for a rainy day, tea and escape. Now I just have to find another copy

[Doris · Rating 2 out of 5]

The dreamers were asked to unite 2 souls, then destroy them both, to prevent a weak and evil person from ruling the land of Ulad. However, there are complications, as the twin soul is good and powerful, and the evilness of the act cannot be allowed. A good story but lacking the punch of others by this author.

[SciFiOne · Rating 5 out of 5]

1980 grade A

[Bettie · Rating 1 out of 5]

mp3

This is a bad rip from a dodgy cassette.

[Dwer · Rating 4 out of 5]

A juvenile, like most of Norton's but I still enjoy it