It's all about the complete madness of reality. It's also hilarious, terrifying and heart-achingly compassionate by turn. It's set, appropriately, in the chaotic and virtually lawless melting-pot of New York City in 1911: the only real rule is survival, no matter how and at no matter what cost to others. The brilliance of 'Dreamland' lies in the tension between the obvious accuracy of Baker's research (this a real, completely believable world,documented in fascinating detail) and the utter, extraordinary madness of the events and characters he describes. The grotesque and lunatic world of the vast 'funpark' of Dreamland works as a metaphor for the brutal jungle of New York; at times it's hard to work out which is the more insane. The characters- which range from mad dwarves to statesmen to con-men to Sigmund Freud (seriously!) are all quite fantastical yet utterly believable: despite their weirdness and ruthlessness, we completely identify with their desperation,their yearnings and ultimately, their humanity. As you read, you are aware of a rather scary momentum which eventually leads to a confrontation of all the key characters, the long- overdue beginnings of social reform in NYC; and a violent, apocalyptic (and of course quite crazy) climax in Dreamland. It's great; it leaves you breathless. Buy it. MIKE RAYNER
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