44 pages 1 hour read

Samanta Schweblin, Transl. Megan McDowell

Fever Dream

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2014

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Before You Read

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Super Short Summary

Fever Dream by Samanta Schweblin, translated by Megan McDowell, is a hallucinatory novel set in rural Argentina. Amanda, visiting from Buenos Aires with her young daughter, lies in a hospital bed with poisoning symptoms. Through a feverish dialogue with a mysterious boy named David, the story explores maternal anxiety, environmental pollution, and the blurred line between superstition and reality.

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

Samanta Schweblin's Fever Dream, translated by Megan McDowell, is widely praised for its haunting, lyrical prose and suspenseful narrative. Critics admire its ability to evoke dread and its profound themes, but some find the abstract, non-linear plot disorienting. Overall, it's a compelling, though challenging, read that leaves a lasting impression.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Fever Dream?

A reader who appreciates psychological thrillers, taut narratives, and surreal, atmospheric storytelling would enjoy Fever Dream by Samanta Schweblin, translated by Megan McDowell. Fans of works like Blonde by Joyce Carol Oates or Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead by Olga Tokarczuk would find it captivating.

Recommended

Reading Age

18+years

Book Details

Genre

Psychological Fiction

Horror / Thriller / Suspense Fiction

Magical Realism

Themes

Relationships: Mothers

Relationships: Daughters & Sons

Natural World: Environment