'The Dream' (1924) by H G Wells

'The Dream' is a philosophical novel that delves into the complexities of human history, society, and the cyclical nature of human conflict and aspiration. The story is framed as a future utopian society's perspective on a dream-like vision of the past, our present and history, seen through the eyes of a man named Sarnac.

Sarnac, a futuristic historian, experiences vivid dreams where he lives as Harry Mortimer Smith, a man from early 20th-century England. Through Harry’s life, Sarnac relives the struggles, wars, and social upheavals of the era. He observes the fragility of human ambitions, the destructiveness of greed, and the pervasive violence that characterizes human history.

As Sarnac reflects on these experiences, Wells uses the narrative to critique contemporary societal flaws, particularly war, inequality, and the failure of humanity to rise above tribalism and self-interest. The novel contrasts the chaotic, flawed world of Harry Mortimer Smith with Sarnac’s future society, which has supposedly achieved greater harmony and understanding.

The Dream is a poignant meditation on human potential, emphasizing the need for compassion, reason, and collective progress to escape the destructive patterns of the past. It serves as both a critique of Wells’ own time and a hopeful vision of what humanity might become.