THE CURE FOR DREAMING

Hypnotism, mind control, and the birth of feminism are woven into an audio tale that's just a bit creepy and a little bit preachy. Jennifer Ikeda narrates the story of 17-year-old Olivia, who is chomping at the bit to get out from under the tyrannical control of her father. It's Halloween night, 1900, in Portland, Oregon, and the world is changing as it heads into the twentieth century. Women are fighting for the right to vote, men are trying to keep them in their place, and people are curious about vampires, particularly Dracula; mesmerism; and mind control. Ikeda delivers the story as if caught in the hypnotic trance that starts Olivia on her journey, displaying little emotion or enthusiasm. The resulting emotional distance drains the life from this disturbing tale. N.E.M. © AudioFile 2015, Portland, Maine [Published: MARCH 2015]