First published 1986
Carl Hausman finds himself lost in the underworld, a place he never expected to visit. Morpheus appears as his guide, not the fearsome ruler one might imagine, but a welcoming host eager to share his domain. Together they move through landscapes that blur the boundaries between what is real and what exists only in dreams. Morpheus shows Carl the depths of artistic creation, the weight of human longing, and the ways love transforms and deceives. Each stop on their journey reveals new layers of experience, from moments of pure beauty to scenes of deep sadness. Carl must navigate these revelations while questioning everything he thought he knew about existence itself. The tour becomes more than sightseeing. It becomes a confrontation with the fundamental forces that shape human consciousness and desire.
Genres: mythology, literary-fiction, fantasy, magical-realism
Vibes: intimate, lyrical, thought-provoking
Tropes: fish-out-of-water, guide-mentor
Setting: Underworld
370 pages · Hardcover · William Morrow and Company