Verbotene Wirklichkeit

by Philip E. High

Wieder ist durch die technische Entwicklung ein neues Ziel erreicht: Wissenschaftler haben ein Gerät erfunden, mit dessen Hilfe sich der Mensch jeden Wunsch, jeden Traum erfüllen kann - die Phantasie wird zur Wirklichkeit. Aber das Gerät ist gefährlich. Die Menschen vergessen ihre Umgebung, ihre Familie, ihr Leben, um sich eine Traumwelt zu schaffen, die allein Realität besitzt. Sie werden süchtig - schlimmer als durch Alkohol oder Rauschgift. Nur die Immunen, die den Verlockungen des Geräts nicht erliegen, erkennen die Gefahr. Deshalb wird jeder, der im Besitz eines solchen Gerätes angetroffen wird, von ihnen getötet.
Ein einziges Land ist noch frei. In einem Land können die Menschen soviel träumen, wie sie wollen . . .

Genres: Science Fiction

145 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1967

Reviews

[Chris Weidner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I finished reading “Reality Forbidden” by Philip E. High this morning. Man, I loved it. Every time I read one of his books I think “oh this is my favorite one” and then I read the next and find myself surprised again. I think I might have an addiction to his stories.

Speaking of addition…without giving away any plot twists, the story takes places after a “dream device” has been invented that turns people’s dreams into a reality of sorts. It’s so popular that a majority of the world becomes addicted and leads to civilizations crumbling and going to war. The story takes place after the Fall and you’ll get hooked pretty quickly if this sounds like you’re sort of thing.

As always with High, the story is just as relevant today as it might have been back in 1967. The story involves a slew of topics like addiction, mental health, propaganda, media, belief, social class, and power. I wish I had the money and the pull to turn this book into a film or a tv series.

It is a quick read and a book I’ll pick up to read again in the future.

[Derelict Space Sheep · Rating 3 out of 5]

A sinister, mind-rattling concept explored by the wrong author. High’s ideas are laid down seemingly as and when they occurred to him, which, even coming from the era of pulp, fails to impress. Eric Frank Russell would have made this a masterpiece.

[Michel Clasquin-Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of High's better works, but you can't help wondering how much better a book it could have been without the Deus ex machina at the end. Oops, was that a spoiler?