Machine Dreams
Machine Dreams
Book Brief
Beta352
Novel • Fiction
West Virginia • 1940s-1980s
1999
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
Machine Dreams by Jayne Anne Phillips explores the impact of war and societal changes on a West Virginia family. Through individual stories and experiences, the narrative captures the emotional complexities and personal struggles from the mid-20th century. The novel delves into themes of memory, loss, and identity, reflecting the varying impacts on each family member.
Melancholic
Contemplative
Bittersweet
Mysterious
Emotional
Reviews & Readership
907 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Machine Dreams by Jayne Anne Phillips receives acclaim for its lyrical prose and poignant exploration of familial relationships across generations. Critics praise its intricate character development and atmospheric detail. However, some find the narrative structure challenging and the pacing uneven. Overall, it stands out as a richly textured and emotionally resonant novel.
Who Should Read Machine Dreams?
A reader who appreciates Machine Dreams by Jayne Anne Phillips likely enjoys introspective narratives and richly detailed family sagas. Fans of Alice Munro's The Beggar Maid or Marilynne Robinson's Housekeeping may find similar allure in its exploration of human connections and historical context.
907 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Machine Dreams was the debut novel by Jayne Anne Phillips, published in 1984, and was nominated for the National Book Critics Circle Award for fiction.
Jayne Anne Phillips is known for her distinctive prose style, which combines poetic language with detailed, character-driven storytelling, first widely recognized in her short story collection Black Tickets before the release of Machine Dreams.
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Machine Dreams was reissued as part of the Penguin Classics series, highlighting its enduring significance in contemporary American literature.
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352
Novel • Fiction
West Virginia • 1940s-1980s
1999
Adult
18+ years
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