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Sleepwalker's World
A SCIENCE FICTION CLASSIC FROM A MASTER. Celebrated author Gordon R. Dickson's classic novel pitting good against evil, back in print.
The Sleeper Wakes
The energy crisis has been solved. Core Taps have been driven 300 miles into the Earth to tap into the subterranean power source at its core. The only when activated, the Core Taps disrupt brain waves, sending everyone nearby into a deep, forced sleep. It’s a small price to pay for a world of plenty. Or so it seems.
Rafe Harald is one of the few humans not affected by the Core Taps. Back from the Moon, where he has been preparing for humankind’s first trek into deep space, he makes his way through a shadowy night world of induced slumber. He’s come to discover the whereabouts of a missing colleague. What he’ll find is a mysterious figure known as the Old Man—and a conspiracy so devious in its design, he’ll wish it was a nightmare.
But soon the Old Man will discover that he has awoken a sleeping giant in Rafe Harald. And on a planet of perpetual sleep, a new day is about to dawn.
About Gordon R.
"Dickson is one of SF's standard-bearers."— Publishers Weekly
"Dickson has a true mastery of pacing and fine understanding of human beings."— Seattle Post Intelligencer
"A masterful science fiction writer."— Milwaukee Journal
The Sleeper Wakes
The energy crisis has been solved. Core Taps have been driven 300 miles into the Earth to tap into the subterranean power source at its core. The only when activated, the Core Taps disrupt brain waves, sending everyone nearby into a deep, forced sleep. It’s a small price to pay for a world of plenty. Or so it seems.
Rafe Harald is one of the few humans not affected by the Core Taps. Back from the Moon, where he has been preparing for humankind’s first trek into deep space, he makes his way through a shadowy night world of induced slumber. He’s come to discover the whereabouts of a missing colleague. What he’ll find is a mysterious figure known as the Old Man—and a conspiracy so devious in its design, he’ll wish it was a nightmare.
But soon the Old Man will discover that he has awoken a sleeping giant in Rafe Harald. And on a planet of perpetual sleep, a new day is about to dawn.
About Gordon R.
"Dickson is one of SF's standard-bearers."— Publishers Weekly
"Dickson has a true mastery of pacing and fine understanding of human beings."— Seattle Post Intelligencer
"A masterful science fiction writer."— Milwaukee Journal
- GenresScience FictionFiction
192 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1971
2 people are currently reading
119 people want to read
About the author
Gordon R. Dickson
589 books377 followersGordon Rupert Dickson was an American science fiction author. He was born in Canada, then moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota as a teenager. He is probably most famous for his Childe Cycle and the Dragon Knight series. He won three Hugo awards and one Nebula award.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
June 3, 2020
DAW Books (DAW Collectors #28
Cover Artist: Kelly Freas.
First published by J. B. Lippincott 1971-08
The Sleeper Wakes.
Rafe Harald is a superhuman cosmonaut who comes down from the sky to find out why earth seems paralyzed by a particular demonic power. Evil forces are loosed in the night when everyone is forced into a deep sleep through a radio beam. Harald must battle shadows that kill until he finds his way to ""The Old Man of the Mountain,"" a centuries-old entity that is finally reducing men to zombies. Good versus incalculable evil.
Rafe Harald is one of the few humans not affected by the Core Taps. Back from the Moon, where he has been preparing for humankind’s first trek into deep space, he makes his way through a shadowy night world of induced slumber. He’s come to discover the whereabouts of a missing colleague. What he’ll find is a mysterious figure known as the Old Man—and a conspiracy so devious in its design, he’ll wish it was a nightmare.
But soon the Old Man will discover that he has awoken a sleeping giant in Rafe Harald. And on a planet of perpetual sleep, a new day is about to dawn.
Cover Artist: Kelly Freas.
First published by J. B. Lippincott 1971-08
The Sleeper Wakes.
Rafe Harald is a superhuman cosmonaut who comes down from the sky to find out why earth seems paralyzed by a particular demonic power. Evil forces are loosed in the night when everyone is forced into a deep sleep through a radio beam. Harald must battle shadows that kill until he finds his way to ""The Old Man of the Mountain,"" a centuries-old entity that is finally reducing men to zombies. Good versus incalculable evil.
Rafe Harald is one of the few humans not affected by the Core Taps. Back from the Moon, where he has been preparing for humankind’s first trek into deep space, he makes his way through a shadowy night world of induced slumber. He’s come to discover the whereabouts of a missing colleague. What he’ll find is a mysterious figure known as the Old Man—and a conspiracy so devious in its design, he’ll wish it was a nightmare.
But soon the Old Man will discover that he has awoken a sleeping giant in Rafe Harald. And on a planet of perpetual sleep, a new day is about to dawn.
December 18, 2010
This is very much a "mood piece" about people moving through a dark world where everyone else is in a forced sleep.
The premise of the book is that humanity faces an energy crisis -- a term not used in the book, but that's the concept, and a little prescient as the book was written in 1971 -- which is solved through the discovery of a new power source. But there's a catch: When these generators are turned on, they create a field that renders everyone in range unconscious. So the machines are only turned on at night. One in a million are naturally immune or can learn to fight the effect, and so are able to move about while everyone else is in a forced sleep. A conspiracy has found a way to use this field to not just put people to sleep, but to control their actions.
The book then veers off into a plot line about advancing technology bumping into the supernatural.
A good science fiction story should carry the reader along with the scientific or technical premise. When there are flaws in the science, a good writer can "bluff" you past them or at least toss in a glib explanation, like blithely declaring that the speed of light has been conquered with a "hyperdrive" or whatever. "Sleepwalkers World" was a little weak on this. It brought a lot of technical questions to my mind that the author never attempted to answer. Like, the sleep effect apparently has a limited range, as they only turn the machines on "at night", which of course is a different time in, say, the Carribean than in England, and the story moves between both places. So rather than just suffering with this sleep effect, why couldn't they build the power stations in some uninhabited area, like the poles or the Sahara desert? And how do they maintain the machines and keep them operating, as presumably no one is able to even observe them while they are running, much less tune them or otherwise work on them? Indeed, did anyone anticipate this effect when they were inventing the machine? If not, then the first time someone turned it on, it would have put the inventor to sleep, and how did anyone get near to turn the thing off? Etc.
The supernatural angle is very vague. Exactly how has this technology tuned in to the supernatural? Maybe that's deliberate, but I found it unsatisfying.
The moral core of the story is also vague. The hero and the villain both dismiss the ideas of "good" and "evil" as simplistic and primitive; they are "above" such things. But then, by what standard is the hero superior to the villain? The villain seeks power and his own benefit, while the hero is working for freedom and the good of all. Okay. Is selfishness "evil" and generosity "good"? Is tyranny "evil" and freedom "good"? If not, why should we prefer one to the other? If there is no good and evil, then what makes the hero a hero and the villain a villain?
Well, I guess I've harped on the weaknesses of this book, but it is a good read. It succeeds in creating a creepy mood, especially in the middle. And there's a good mystery about just who the villain really is.
The premise of the book is that humanity faces an energy crisis -- a term not used in the book, but that's the concept, and a little prescient as the book was written in 1971 -- which is solved through the discovery of a new power source. But there's a catch: When these generators are turned on, they create a field that renders everyone in range unconscious. So the machines are only turned on at night. One in a million are naturally immune or can learn to fight the effect, and so are able to move about while everyone else is in a forced sleep. A conspiracy has found a way to use this field to not just put people to sleep, but to control their actions.
The book then veers off into a plot line about advancing technology bumping into the supernatural.
A good science fiction story should carry the reader along with the scientific or technical premise. When there are flaws in the science, a good writer can "bluff" you past them or at least toss in a glib explanation, like blithely declaring that the speed of light has been conquered with a "hyperdrive" or whatever. "Sleepwalkers World" was a little weak on this. It brought a lot of technical questions to my mind that the author never attempted to answer. Like, the sleep effect apparently has a limited range, as they only turn the machines on "at night", which of course is a different time in, say, the Carribean than in England, and the story moves between both places. So rather than just suffering with this sleep effect, why couldn't they build the power stations in some uninhabited area, like the poles or the Sahara desert? And how do they maintain the machines and keep them operating, as presumably no one is able to even observe them while they are running, much less tune them or otherwise work on them? Indeed, did anyone anticipate this effect when they were inventing the machine? If not, then the first time someone turned it on, it would have put the inventor to sleep, and how did anyone get near to turn the thing off? Etc.
The supernatural angle is very vague. Exactly how has this technology tuned in to the supernatural? Maybe that's deliberate, but I found it unsatisfying.
The moral core of the story is also vague. The hero and the villain both dismiss the ideas of "good" and "evil" as simplistic and primitive; they are "above" such things. But then, by what standard is the hero superior to the villain? The villain seeks power and his own benefit, while the hero is working for freedom and the good of all. Okay. Is selfishness "evil" and generosity "good"? Is tyranny "evil" and freedom "good"? If not, why should we prefer one to the other? If there is no good and evil, then what makes the hero a hero and the villain a villain?
Well, I guess I've harped on the weaknesses of this book, but it is a good read. It succeeds in creating a creepy mood, especially in the middle. And there's a good mystery about just who the villain really is.
March 27, 2019
SHORT VERSION – Sleepwalker’s World is a typical Gordon R. Dickson story. The characters are a little less dynamic and the story a little more muddled, but that is comparing it to other stories by this master, not to other writers. If you love Mr. Dickson, you will enjoy this book.
Note: The original story was written in 1971 and is getting long in tooth.
LONG VERSION
Gordon R. Dickson has been one of my all-time favorite authors. Wolfling and Dorsai! are on my often reread pile, so when I won Sleepwalker’s World at ConGregate I was over the moon to have a book by this master of science fiction I hadn’t read yet.
Sometimes you shouldn’t visit childhood memories with adult understanding. Originally published in 1971, looking at the story through the lens of 2019, produced smears I wouldn’t have noticed when I wore the rosy glasses of fangirl in the eighties.
It isn’t bad, but it isn’t NOW (2019).
Following Mr. Dickson’s formula (and this book is practically picture perfect outline of his formula – so if you like his stuff, you will like this), we got a super-man. Someone who is smart, and physically perfect, and maybe a little psychic, but not too much, as our hero we are to identify with. Our sympathy for him stems from his disassociation with the human race he tries to protect, even though he has evolved beyond it. Opposite him is an evil, also part of the human race. Where the hero, our protagonist, is an individual and embraces individuality as a religion, the antagonist is also a superbeing using humanity’s herd features to rule them behind the scenes. A ruling class supports the antagonist unknowingly. Ying and yang both have to exist as humanity as a species decides what is the best way to go – republican or democrat – um, worship of the individual or worship of the community.
The hero will have one friend to help support him, someone close to his capabilities, but still, sadly, human. He will also get a beautiful, perfect, smart woman who also isn’t quite his equal. Note the male will help the hero, but the woman will just support him by telling him he must stay a good man. The woman in some manner will be part of the prize between the two forces of nature – the villain and hero. Neither capable of loving her, but she will be completely emotionally loyal to the hero by the end of the story (after doing a quick betrayal somewhere in there without meaning to, because she is still only human and weak). Overall the dynamics between the hero and his … companions is like what is found in Dr. Who.
In the end, the hero will save humanity and win the girl (I say girl because she is always younger than the hyper-evolved man) … and realize he needs to lead humanity on its next step while he learns how to be human for his mate. So sad that he will always be alone on some level among others after defeating his one equal.
This is the formula for nearly every novel length work Mr. Dickson produced. (The short stories held more variation.) I like this formula. When I was younger, I loved identifying with a superhuman and helping humanity as an individual leader from the outside instead of joining a crowd and trying to fix things from within. My fire and brimstone of teenage years matched Mr. Dickson in his heyday.
Now, though. How the women are treated, even when smart and useful … “He had virtually forgotten about her in the…” – this is a direct quote from page 117 of 176. More than halfway through and we know how much value this woman has to our hero. Just someone to protect.
That is the first smear on my lens, and then we have the superman – white male – a favorite of Heinlein, and Dr. Who, and James Bond, and everyone until the eighties started breaking up the fallacy that only white men working alone can save us.
I loved Gordon R. Dickson for so long, but I think I have reached an age where I need to break up with him. Thank you for the journey of the impossible and the building blocks you have given this generation to reach the next level.
If you haven’t read Mr. Dickson, do so. Maybe not this one, which is only a mediocre example of the master at work, but one of them. His (well-deserved) Hugos include “Solider, Ask Not” and “Lost Dorsai”.
Note: The original story was written in 1971 and is getting long in tooth.
LONG VERSION
Gordon R. Dickson has been one of my all-time favorite authors. Wolfling and Dorsai! are on my often reread pile, so when I won Sleepwalker’s World at ConGregate I was over the moon to have a book by this master of science fiction I hadn’t read yet.
Sometimes you shouldn’t visit childhood memories with adult understanding. Originally published in 1971, looking at the story through the lens of 2019, produced smears I wouldn’t have noticed when I wore the rosy glasses of fangirl in the eighties.
It isn’t bad, but it isn’t NOW (2019).
Following Mr. Dickson’s formula (and this book is practically picture perfect outline of his formula – so if you like his stuff, you will like this), we got a super-man. Someone who is smart, and physically perfect, and maybe a little psychic, but not too much, as our hero we are to identify with. Our sympathy for him stems from his disassociation with the human race he tries to protect, even though he has evolved beyond it. Opposite him is an evil, also part of the human race. Where the hero, our protagonist, is an individual and embraces individuality as a religion, the antagonist is also a superbeing using humanity’s herd features to rule them behind the scenes. A ruling class supports the antagonist unknowingly. Ying and yang both have to exist as humanity as a species decides what is the best way to go – republican or democrat – um, worship of the individual or worship of the community.
The hero will have one friend to help support him, someone close to his capabilities, but still, sadly, human. He will also get a beautiful, perfect, smart woman who also isn’t quite his equal. Note the male will help the hero, but the woman will just support him by telling him he must stay a good man. The woman in some manner will be part of the prize between the two forces of nature – the villain and hero. Neither capable of loving her, but she will be completely emotionally loyal to the hero by the end of the story (after doing a quick betrayal somewhere in there without meaning to, because she is still only human and weak). Overall the dynamics between the hero and his … companions is like what is found in Dr. Who.
In the end, the hero will save humanity and win the girl (I say girl because she is always younger than the hyper-evolved man) … and realize he needs to lead humanity on its next step while he learns how to be human for his mate. So sad that he will always be alone on some level among others after defeating his one equal.
This is the formula for nearly every novel length work Mr. Dickson produced. (The short stories held more variation.) I like this formula. When I was younger, I loved identifying with a superhuman and helping humanity as an individual leader from the outside instead of joining a crowd and trying to fix things from within. My fire and brimstone of teenage years matched Mr. Dickson in his heyday.
Now, though. How the women are treated, even when smart and useful … “He had virtually forgotten about her in the…” – this is a direct quote from page 117 of 176. More than halfway through and we know how much value this woman has to our hero. Just someone to protect.
That is the first smear on my lens, and then we have the superman – white male – a favorite of Heinlein, and Dr. Who, and James Bond, and everyone until the eighties started breaking up the fallacy that only white men working alone can save us.
I loved Gordon R. Dickson for so long, but I think I have reached an age where I need to break up with him. Thank you for the journey of the impossible and the building blocks you have given this generation to reach the next level.
If you haven’t read Mr. Dickson, do so. Maybe not this one, which is only a mediocre example of the master at work, but one of them. His (well-deserved) Hugos include “Solider, Ask Not” and “Lost Dorsai”.
March 5, 2012
This was odd. I was entertained and the writing was good. But, I don't know, the main character wasn't explained very well. And I guess I never really got who the villain was or where all this power was coming from. Weird.
November 6, 2023
It's got a bit of that A.E. van Vogt vibe with a touch of PKD concepts. I did enjoy the book while reading, but now that it has been a few weeks since I've read it, I sort of forgot most of what happened. If I think back, all that really sticks in my mind is how the main character keeps getting kidnapped every few chapters. It kinda got ridiculous, but it was fun. While I won't actively recommend this to anyone, it is a decent enough read.
June 14, 2017
I had read this in hardcover back in the 1970's. Glad to get a copy of my own and reread this tale of unintended consequences.
December 16, 2022
3½. I appreciate this one for how brazenly bizarre it is. Like something by a humorless Philip K. Dick.
July 11, 2024
sexist and boring except for the creepy child faced monster
February 27, 2025
Well written and quite readable, but the premise is a little far-fetched and gets a little farfetched-er as it goes on. Good suspense though.
March 14, 2016
I love the speed at which this story starts, dragging you into the world quickly and giving you glimpses as you go. I liked some of the areas he delved into but they felt a bit oddly joined to the story sometimes.
It was a fun read. Time to give it away so someone else can read it and pass it along.
It was a fun read. Time to give it away so someone else can read it and pass it along.
June 24, 2025
“I am Lucas,” the wolf said. “And I have been told to kill.”
Amazing! Got purely on the basis of the cover, from Attic books in fake London. Started with some interesting world building premise and then went crazy, writing style reminded me of Garth Marengi, especially Rafe speaking to Gaby, except this is real not spoof.
I couldn’t decide whether to give it 1 or 5 stars, so averaged at 3.
Amazing! Got purely on the basis of the cover, from Attic books in fake London. Started with some interesting world building premise and then went crazy, writing style reminded me of Garth Marengi, especially Rafe speaking to Gaby, except this is real not spoof.
I couldn’t decide whether to give it 1 or 5 stars, so averaged at 3.
January 12, 2012
Grade B-.
August 9, 2013
About an astronaut on Earth who has to deal with a situation where power generating machines force nearly everyone to fall asleep at night. Odd book for sure - not quite sure to make of it.
October 2, 2008
Worst. Book. Ever. I'm not even kidding. It's horrible. Nothing redeemable here.
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May 12, 2019I have the german edition: Geschopfe der Nacht
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews