Dream Life

by Ik Marvel, Donald Grant Mitchell

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you will see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work.This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

164 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2005

About the author

Ik Marvel is the pen name of American essayist and novelist Donald Grant Mitchell.

Reviews

[Kristin Stone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just beautiful. This little book makes me grateful, and helps me to recognize and enjoy the daily "good things". This author, I can only remember his pen name (Marvel) right now, had such a gift for exalting the wonder and beauty of being alive. I was enthralled, but also comforted, by his words. There are some people of which I think: "Even though he has not said directly, surely he knows God". And this is just how I thought of Mister "Marvel".

[Margaux St. Clare · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yes, yes, yes! One of the best books I read in 2023.

The reader follows a boy named Clarence; no—the reader is Clarence! In a very interesting style, Marvel writes not only in present tense, but in second person. He slips the reader right into Clarence’s shoes, and his mind. Initially, I thought this a strange style, one which I’ve never heard of before. But the combination of present tense and second person turned out to be a quite delightful one. Not only does it keep the reader feeling and thinking that which the boy is, but it is a very fresh and creative way to teach the reader about a character. By the end of the book, I was wishing more books were written in this captivating, interesting style. Marvel has done an excellent job, for this book rather does feel, not like words on a page, but like a dream.

[Selamawit · Rating 4 out of 5]

Found this for so cheap in a used bookstore in DuPont. As soon as I saw the cover I knew I needed it on my shelf. I read it following the seasons, it’s not too long of a book so I had to set it down and wait for winter to come before finishing. I like the idea of moving through a book at different times of a year. It was a comforting read.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW what a surprise, very thought provoking. gave it the five stars for the fall of our lives part. Only problem was my 126 year old copy fell apart as i read each page. each fell from the book as turned. so i guess i will not read it again. so life was the same 126 years ago as it is today.

[Dana Jerman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was super sweet. Kinda felt like Sorrows of Young Werther, only less tragic.