The Lathe of Heaven characters

Appears from the start

A quiet Portland draftsman who fears sleep because some of his vivid dreams alter the shared world. Everyone else accepts each revised history as if it had always existed, while George remembers the realities that were replaced. His attempts to suppress dreaming with borrowed drugs bring him under compulsory psychiatric care.

Also known as Dr. Haber

Appears from the start

The confident psychiatrist assigned to treat George after his illegal drug use. He specializes in sleep and dream research, uses hypnosis and an experimental device called the Augmentor, and initially regards George's account of reality-changing dreams as a clinical problem that can be tested.

First appears in chapter 2

George's aunt, remembered as part of the first crisis that made him understand his dreams could change reality. During a period when she stayed with George's family, her unwanted attention left the teenage George frightened and desperate for escape.

First appears in chapter 3

An independent Portland lawyer whom George consults because he believes Dr. Haber is abusing the power created by his treatment. Skeptical but attentive, she agrees to observe a therapy session and judge whether George's extraordinary claim has evidence behind it.

First appears in chapter 10

One of the turtle-like extraterrestrials whose arrival has transformed human politics. The alien communicates with George in compressed, dreamlike sayings and treats dreaming as a reality in which one must move carefully rather than as raw material to dominate.