Lucid Desire by James Oenemal

Dreams are hard things to capture on the page. They're so random and chaotic, and often so surreal, that the waking mind can rarely remember them, much less do them justice. The fact that James Oenemal captures the essence of dreaming so well is part of why I enjoyed Lucid Desire as much as I did, but it is the imagination he displays through Amy's 'lucid' dreams that puts it over the top.

This is a story of sexual frustration, emotional longing, and dangerous obsession. It is a relationship counselor who first introduces Amy and Mark to the concept of lucid dreaming, but rather than bring them closer together, Amy's obsession with it just drives an even wider wedge between them.

As a lucid dreamer, in full control of her dreams, Amy can indulge her every fantasy. She can swim like a fish, fly like a bird, or stomp through the city like a Tokyo B-movie giantess. She can also reshape herself to fit those fantasies, including some extraordinary scenes where she indulges her best-friend girl-crush in a little futa fun. The dreamscapes here are absolutely gorgeous as well, with the only thing topping her vengeful romp through downtown being her amorous romp atop some anthropomorphic clouds.

While there is definitely some darkness and sorrow beneath the surface, and the depths of her obsession become genuinely disturbing as the story progresses, you cannot help but feel she is finding true happiness within herself. It is an incredibly erotic and empowering tale, even as we wonder at what lucid dreaming is doing to her reality. As for the ending, I love that it is so ambiguous, so full of potential, and so open to interpretation. Make of it what you will, and that will define the story.

Reviewed by Sally

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