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Shapes Of Sleep
'Splendid . . . this absorbing topical tale . . . has the master stamp . . . in pace, ingenuity, coherence, it is completely assured, and with the special Priestley slant of wry observation.' - Evening Standard' The Shapes of Sleep is not easy to describe, but there is no doubting its quality, in which gaiety and sanity are matched by invention . . . you must read this entertaining fiction; and no doubt you will.' - John Davenport, ObserverMild-mannered Ben Sterndale is an out-of-work investigative reporter who likes nothing better than a quiet evening at home with an eighteenth-century novel and a classical music record. But when he is hired to locate a document stolen from a London advertising agency, he quickly finds himself embroiled in a deadly game of international intrigue. By the time he traces the missing paper to a rare stamp dealer, the man is already dead, and the only clue is the cryptic phrase 'the shapes of sleep', uttered with his dying breath. The trail leads Sterndale to Berlin, a divided city where shadowy figures from both East and West are desperate to get their hands on the shapes of sleep. But what are they, and why are so many people willing to kill for them? Are they some kind of weapon, part of a Communist plot, or something even more sinister than Sterndale can possibly imagine?An unusual mix of spy thriller, existential mystery, and wry social commentary, J. B. Priestley's The Shapes of Sleep (1962) is a page-turner that will keep readers guessing until the final page. This edition, the first in almost 20 years, includes a new introduction by Rod Slater.
240 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1962
10 people are currently reading
60 people want to read
About the author
J.B. Priestley
470 books290 followersJohn Boynton Priestley was an English writer. He was the son of a schoolmaster, and after schooling he worked for a time in the local wool trade. Following the outbreak of the Great War in 1914, Priestley joined the British Army, and was sent to France - in 1915 taking part in the Battle of Loos. After being wounded in 1917 Priestley returned to England for six months; then, after going back to the Western Front he suffered the consequences of a German gas attack, and, treated at Rouen, he was declared unfit for active service and was transferred to the Entertainers Section of the British Army.
When Priestley left the army he studied at Cambridge University, where he completed a degree in Modern History and Political Science. Subsequently he found work as theatre reviewer with the Daily News, and also contributed to the Spectator, the Challenge and Nineteenth Century. His earliest books included The English Comic Characters (1925), The English Novel (1927), and English Humour (1928). His breakthrough came with the immensely popular novel The Good Companions, published in 1929, and Angel Pavement followed in 1930. He emerged, too, as a successful dramatist with such plays as Dangerous Corner (1932), Time and the Conways (1937), When We Are Married (1938) and An Inspector Calls (1947).
The publication of English Journey in 1934 emphasised Priestley's concern for social problems and the welfare of ordinary people.
During the Second World War Priestley became a popular and influential broadcaster with his famous Postscripts that followed the nine o'clock news BBC Radio on Sunday evenings. Starting on 5th June 1940, Priestley built up such a following that after a few months it was estimated that around 40 per cent of the adult population in Britain was listening to the programme.
Some members of the Conservative Party, including Winston Churchill, expressed concern that Priestley might be expressing left-wing views on the programme, and, to his dismay, Priestley was dropped after his talk on 20th October 1940.
After the war Priestley continued his writing, and his work invariably provoked thought, and his views were always expressed in his blunt Yorkshire style.
His prolific output continued right up to his final years, and to the end he remained the great literary all-rounder. His favourite among his books was for many years the novel Bright Day, though he later said he had come to prefer The Image Men.
It should not be overlooked that Priestley was an outstanding essayist, and many of his short pieces best capture his passions and his great talent and his mastery of the English language. He set a fine example for any would-be author.
When Priestley left the army he studied at Cambridge University, where he completed a degree in Modern History and Political Science. Subsequently he found work as theatre reviewer with the Daily News, and also contributed to the Spectator, the Challenge and Nineteenth Century. His earliest books included The English Comic Characters (1925), The English Novel (1927), and English Humour (1928). His breakthrough came with the immensely popular novel The Good Companions, published in 1929, and Angel Pavement followed in 1930. He emerged, too, as a successful dramatist with such plays as Dangerous Corner (1932), Time and the Conways (1937), When We Are Married (1938) and An Inspector Calls (1947).
The publication of English Journey in 1934 emphasised Priestley's concern for social problems and the welfare of ordinary people.
During the Second World War Priestley became a popular and influential broadcaster with his famous Postscripts that followed the nine o'clock news BBC Radio on Sunday evenings. Starting on 5th June 1940, Priestley built up such a following that after a few months it was estimated that around 40 per cent of the adult population in Britain was listening to the programme.
Some members of the Conservative Party, including Winston Churchill, expressed concern that Priestley might be expressing left-wing views on the programme, and, to his dismay, Priestley was dropped after his talk on 20th October 1940.
After the war Priestley continued his writing, and his work invariably provoked thought, and his views were always expressed in his blunt Yorkshire style.
His prolific output continued right up to his final years, and to the end he remained the great literary all-rounder. His favourite among his books was for many years the novel Bright Day, though he later said he had come to prefer The Image Men.
It should not be overlooked that Priestley was an outstanding essayist, and many of his short pieces best capture his passions and his great talent and his mastery of the English language. He set a fine example for any would-be author.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
January 14, 2020
Hi enjoyed a fair amount of this book and had no trouble reading 50 pages or so in one sitting. The dialogue, characters and description were all quite interesting and reasonably original. However, the whole mystery itself, once revealed, is honestly quite disappointing. Not only is it entirely unbelievable, but for all the murky characters involved, you might think Priestley could have made the conspiracy run a little deeper! I also think I missed a lot of the theme of "women as the saviour of men" that ran through the book, since the last line and closing sentiment of the novel appeared to come out of nowhere! But perhaps that's because with all the surrounding 60s prejudice I found it hard to identify a clear cut modern version of a feminist thread running through the book.
Overall, an interesting charity-shop book read, and I'm glad I'm a bit more familiar with Priestley outside "An Inspector Calls", but there's no chance of me returning to this book.
Overall, an interesting charity-shop book read, and I'm glad I'm a bit more familiar with Priestley outside "An Inspector Calls", but there's no chance of me returning to this book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 3, 2022
3.5 stars.
Entertaining later work by Priestley, who introduces us to Ben Sterndale, a reporter who likes to investigate things thoroughly, get all the facts, and then report. He is the antithesis of a lazy journalist and lazy journalism.
His is assigned to investigate the theft of a particular piece of paper and the contents on it, that is stolen from the desk of his friend's boss.
From here we are taken on a whirlwind adventure going from London to the world of Cold War-era Germany, as reporter Sterndale not only looks for this sheet of paper but confronts many shady characters who have their own reasons for wanting the same paper and the information on it relating to the Shapes of Sleep. But what are these Shapes of Sleep?
I enjoyed this fast moving tale. Although there were so many characters and so many twists and turns for such a short book, I found that only a little of the book overall could be remembered clearly after reading. The outline of the story was remembered clearly while the many characters and events therein became a bit more blurred. But that's just me.
An entertaining blend of mystery, espionage, and of course, being a Priestley book, some social commentary. Priestley's commentary and some of his characterizations are both (somewhat) progressive and also a product of their time.
While not a major work of Priestley's, it's still a readable story, and, as previously indicated, a time capsule of its era.
Perhaps a few plot elements near the end seemed a bit underdeveloped, but it appears he achieved his aim - to write a light entertainment and make a few comments on some issues of the society that he was living in.
The reporter Ben Sterndale was one of those cynical, single and lonely characters that many writers, like Chandler, have made good use of. He had the image of a PI as well as a reporter.
Another good Priestley book.
Entertaining later work by Priestley, who introduces us to Ben Sterndale, a reporter who likes to investigate things thoroughly, get all the facts, and then report. He is the antithesis of a lazy journalist and lazy journalism.
His is assigned to investigate the theft of a particular piece of paper and the contents on it, that is stolen from the desk of his friend's boss.
From here we are taken on a whirlwind adventure going from London to the world of Cold War-era Germany, as reporter Sterndale not only looks for this sheet of paper but confronts many shady characters who have their own reasons for wanting the same paper and the information on it relating to the Shapes of Sleep. But what are these Shapes of Sleep?
I enjoyed this fast moving tale. Although there were so many characters and so many twists and turns for such a short book, I found that only a little of the book overall could be remembered clearly after reading. The outline of the story was remembered clearly while the many characters and events therein became a bit more blurred. But that's just me.
An entertaining blend of mystery, espionage, and of course, being a Priestley book, some social commentary. Priestley's commentary and some of his characterizations are both (somewhat) progressive and also a product of their time.
While not a major work of Priestley's, it's still a readable story, and, as previously indicated, a time capsule of its era.
Perhaps a few plot elements near the end seemed a bit underdeveloped, but it appears he achieved his aim - to write a light entertainment and make a few comments on some issues of the society that he was living in.
The reporter Ben Sterndale was one of those cynical, single and lonely characters that many writers, like Chandler, have made good use of. He had the image of a PI as well as a reporter.
Another good Priestley book.
June 13, 2021
Some of the description in this book is so brilliant and lively it begs the question why Priestley ever bothered with plays.
There were too many characters for me in such a short book and became complicated at times. However, all of the moving parts slotted together nicely in the end, not with great shock or payoff as you might expect from a mystery, but nicely.
There were too many characters for me in such a short book and became complicated at times. However, all of the moving parts slotted together nicely in the end, not with great shock or payoff as you might expect from a mystery, but nicely.
May 14, 2023
A mystery story with some espionage overtones. This easy-going plot set in 1950s London and Germany provides some satire regarding the newspaper and advertising trades, whilst also providing some social commentary on relationships and careerism.
June 30, 2023
This was a book I never knew existed – a crime novel by JB Priestley. As crime novels go it was not entirely successful. Too many characters and not much of a plot. Just about good enough but not great.
March 31, 2023
Was a cozy little British mystery that quickly ended up in dullsville.
March 4, 2020
A bit of a surprise read. I stumbled across this when looking for something else and having recently read The Good Companions thought I'd try one of Priestley's shorter works. If it were Graham Greene it would be one of his 'entertainments'. I didn't know that Priestley was a fan of whodunnits. This isn't one of those, but is essentially a private eye 'tale' mixed with espionage thriller. Hints of Chandler and le Carré (although contemporary with the latter's first publication). It reads like he has studied the genre well, but brings his own style and humour to it, and page turning fun it is. However, there is also an intent to it. As he says, it is 'a topical tale' and it remains so, 60 years on. As the lead character asks 'Who wants the truth in a world of propaganda, public relations, advertising?'and could just as easily ask the same today.
January 3, 2018
For my full review click on the link below:
https://crossexaminingcrime.wordpress...
https://crossexaminingcrime.wordpress...
February 22, 2013
Priestley at the top of his late form. He here has written a critique of post war society, the relationship between the sexes and mass media as a highly enjoyable and compulsive spy/ detective/ mystery/ thriller.
December 29, 2012
Strange
January 10, 2015
An interesting look at 60s society from the point of view of a middle-aged man who finds it confused and aimless. (
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews