Night of Delusions

---

space

Keith Laumer’s science fiction novel, Night of Delusions, is difficult to discuss without giving away the very essence of the story.  The beauty of this book is the gradual realization of what’s really happening, a discovery best experienced first-hand. 

Laumer’s narrative is in the first person, so we know the thoughts of the protagonist as he threads his way through what really is a detective story.  When he is confused, chances are the reader will be as well. Are we being led down a blind alley?  Is what we’re seeing real?  As the hero begins to understand what may be happening, the reader is right there with him.  The author provides few external clues to what’s really going on outside the main character’s impressions.

Laumer’s writing style is one of the novel’s strengths—coming across as a comfortable conversational tone that easily flows from one scene to the next—certainly one of the reasons contributing to his popularity. 

Just over the halfway point of the book, though, the pacing begins to lag slightly.  The action begins to seem a bit repetitive—as if it is simply filler.  The reader may begin to wonder when it’s going to end.  The novel probably could have been somewhat shorter, but stay with it.  Laumer delivers and takes us through some outrageous moments.

Keith Laumer was a prolific science fiction writer. He peaked in the 1960s and early 70s with a number of science fiction book series in addition to a few novels based on the 1960s British spy television hit, The Avengers.  Night of Delusions was one of his standalone novels, and it isn’t generally acknowledged as one of his better ones. 

Don’t be fooled, though. Laumer could write.  This book is unconventional and creative—with a plot and ending that you will be thinking about long after you’ve read Night of Delusions.

---

---

---