I had a few issues with Connie Willis's *Lincoln's Dreams*, but not because the American Civil War is an unfamiliar subject. Being British, I'm actually far more familiar with the English Civil War, which took place way back in the 17th century. I'm always on the lookout for well-written historical fiction, but this one just didn't quite hit the mark for me. The main character, Jeff, is a historical researcher working for a somewhat eccentric novelist named Broun. Broun's currently obsessing ov...

While *Lincoln's Dreams* is Connie Willis's debut solo novel, its polish and precision make that fact easily missed. The historical research feels impeccable, and the characters are believable, though perhaps not quite as captivating as those in her later, more expansive works. The trademark Willis levity is also somewhat subdued here. For some reason, the American Civil War has proven to be a fertile and successful backdrop for modern science fiction, and *Lincoln's Dreams* stands out as one of...

Okay, this book absolutely shattered me. I'm left pondering so many things – Robert E. Lee, his horse Traveller, and the lingering horror of a war that ended 153 years ago, yet still gnaws at the American soul. I actually read Connie Willis's *Lincoln's Dreams* years ago; my copy's from 1992. Back then, I didn't have the book-buying-but-never-reading problem I have now. Or maybe I just had more free time. I don't think that first read emotionally wrecked me the way it did this time around. I'm n...

The premise of Connie Willis's *Lincoln's Dreams* was incredibly fascinating to me, and I dove right in. Dreams have always captivated me, and reading about what others think they mean, and why we have them is also—if you'll pardon the overuse of the word—fascinating. I was hooked by *Lincoln's Dreams* throughout; I liked the characters and the storyline just enough to keep reading through the night until I finished it. And while the characters felt like pale imitations of others Willis has writ...

I honestly have no idea what I just read. First off, there's this weird assumption that I, the reader, am some kind of Civil War expert. Considering how many Americans think it's perfectly fine to get married on former slave plantations (which is like a European having a wedding at Auschwitz), that's a pretty big assumption, and even more so for those of us outside the US. I actually had to pause halfway through to Google Robert E. Lee. I figured any book written in the late 20th century wouldn'...

I have a few issues with Connie Willis's *Lincoln's Dreams*. I enjoyed it, but it's probably my least favorite of her books. Things she did right:The historical research, as always, was top-notch. The Civil War scenes felt real, immediate, and personal. Of all the characters in the novel, Robert E. Lee resonated with me the most. And Traveller, of course.The book is well written and has a fascinating semblance of action despite the usual Willis running-back-and-forth business and the ships-passi...

Annie dreams of things she couldn't possibly know: Antietam, Chancellorsville, and Gettysburg. Her dreams are terrifyingly real. Her psychiatrist believes Annie is hiding something deep in her subconscious. His former roommate sees it differently. He works as a historical researcher for a writer of Civil War novels, specifically about Lincoln's dreams. Annie, it turns out, is having Robert E. Lee's dreams. Lee is restless, even in death. He cannot sleep, and Annie is somehow helping him find res...

I picked up "Lincoln's Dreams" based on its Amazon reviews, but I was sadly disappointed. Maybe the Civil War just isn't my thing. Or perhaps the female character felt too much like a ghost. But honestly, I think it just wasn't that well-written. The main character works for an author who writes Civil War novels. He falls head-over-heels for a young woman who's haunted by Robert E. Lee's dreams. He tries to save her from these dreams, even though she feels drawn to them. Honestly, the only chara...

I generally adore Connie Willis, but **Lincoln's Dreams** just didn't do it for me. I ran into a few snags: first off, Willis spends a *lot* of time asking the reader to sympathize with Robert E. Lee. Now, I know Americans of my generation have been practically programmed since grade school to see Lee as not such a bad dude, but frankly, my sympathy hits a wall after a certain point. (Totally different can of worms, but: blah blah blah duty, yeah sure; but basic morality wins out over duty, okay...

Lincoln's DreamsThis is a book that really divides readers. On Goodreads, most reviewers adore Connie Willis, but few seem to truly love *Lincoln's Dreams*. This review comes after my second time reading it. Like many others, Connie Willis is one of my favorite authors. I've read six of her other novels, five of them from the Oxford time travel series, and all were brilliantly entertaining. A major strength of Willis's writing, especially in science fiction, is its profound humanity. The Oxford ...