Machine Dreams

This novel, told from multiple perspectives, explores the meaning of two wars (World War II and Vietnam) as seen by two generations. Phillips writes masterfully about coming of age, sexuality, family, gender, and class. A work of impressive depth. Highly recommended.

I love this book because even now, years after the first time I read it, I remember the characters so well. It's like they were members of my own family. Jayne Anne Phillips writes beautifully of a time (1950s-60s) and a place (West Virginia) and a family. The book reminds me of growing up in a house where we were all in our own orbits, doing our own things, living our own lives, and experiencing our own pain. Sad, but true.

I've read Machine Dreams twice and I was completly moved. It is like a picture of modern America where everyone travels alone, like in a dream, and the same time is in the middle of a crowd into reality. Philip's talended writing expresses desires and feelings of every woman and their struggle to remain unique. But it is not a feminist book. male characters are very strong too. Its structure and the different narrator in each chapter show the different kind of characters and the different aspects of the American society

I had to read Machine Dreams as part of a school course at University at first it appeared to be nothing special, who were all these characters, did I care waht this woman, was telling her daughter and who were they anyway? I read the first section, then put it away for a while. When I started to read it again it was sooo good. It does take a while to get into but it is well worth percivering. At the end of the book I was so caugh t up with the up with the characters it was unbelivable considering my initial reaction to the book. The links in the book become obvious as you read on and the treatment of time as none linear works well. There are central themes in the book, such as the strenght of the women characters and the way in which they deal with the things that happen. I was told the book was about the Vietmnam war but I don't personnaly think that this was the main point of the book, it is a key factor but how could it not be. After reading the book I was left feeling very aware of the feeling I have for my friends and family, it is difficult not to become emotionally involved in the book. Finally - GO READ IT! (And don't give up on it.) I only gave the book 4 stars because of my initial desire not to read it after the first section - This is probably more my problem than the books.

Jane Anne Phillips' 1984 first novel Machine Dreams is an affecting and carefully-wrought chronicle of an American family through this century, culminating in the tragedy of Vietnam brought home through a beloved son's/brother's death. Phillips constructs the novel by focusing each section on a different family member, alternating also between first and third person narrators. Her use of language and characterizations are strong throughout. This is a fine book.