BOOK BRIEF

The Palace of Dreams

Ismail Kadare
Guide cover placeholder

The Palace of Dreams

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1998

Book Brief

Sparkles iconBeta
Ismail Kadare

The Palace of Dreams

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1998
Book Details
Pages

208

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Ottoman Empire • 19th century

Publication Year

1998

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

Roundup icon

Super Short Summary

The Palace of Dreams by Ismail Kadare follows a person named Mark-Alem, who works at a government institution called the Palace of Dreams. The Palace collects and interprets citizens' dreams to maintain control and predict potential threats to the state. Mark-Alem's journey explores themes of power, bureaucracy, and the role of dreams in society.

Mysterious

Dark

Unnerving

Contemplative

Melancholic

Reviews & Readership

4.2

5,632 ratings

72%

Loved it

23%

Mixed feelings

5%

Not a fan

Roundup icon

Review Roundup

The Palace of Dreams by Ismail Kadare is lauded for its allegorical depth and exploration of totalitarianism. Readers appreciate Kadare's vivid storytelling and the novel's Kafkaesque atmosphere. However, some criticize its dense prose and complex narrative, which may challenge casual readers. Overall, it's praised as a thought-provoking and powerful work.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The Palace of Dreams?

Readers who enjoy The Palace of Dreams by Ismail Kadare typically appreciate political allegory, philosophical themes, and dystopian narratives. They may also be drawn to works like Orwell's 1984 and Kafka's The Trial. This book attracts those interested in exploring power dynamics and the interplay between dreams and reality.

4.2

5,632 ratings

72%

Loved it

23%

Mixed feelings

5%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

208

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Ottoman Empire • 19th century

Publication Year

1998

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

Buy This Book

We’re just getting started

Add this title to our list of requested Study Guides!