A Book of Dreams: The Book That Inspired Kate Bush's Hit Song 'Cloudbusting'

The Book of Dreams is an extremely honest, poignant, and poetic book about growing up as the son of the infamous Wilhelm Reich. Peter's memories are fascinating, fantastical, and gut-wrenching at times. It's not just an inside look about what Wilhelm Reich was like, but an incredibly insightful look at a unique father-son relationship.

A really interesting book written using memories recalled whilst sedated for a dislocated shoulder, those which are prompted by dreams, mixed with childhood imagination and adult contemplation many years later. Reich describes some of the factual reality of his childhood spent mainly with his "cloudbusting" father, interrupted by his childhood daydreams and imaginings. It doesn't really end nor does he really reach any profund conclusions about his upbringing as such and it therefore seems almost incomplete. It's a an interesting read if you like Kate Bush's "Cloudbusting" song which was written about the book's subject matter or if you're just interested in the simple and charming story of a strange childhood.

Even though it's a pricy out-of-print book, A Book of Dreams is worth the money. The language is beautiful and the way the story unfolds is really great. I should have bought this ten years ago--if you're on the fence, just do it. Peter Reich perfectly captures the experiences of dreams and childhood.But I have to disagree with the comments about Patti Smith's lyrics. I just finished the book and looked up her lyrics, and they don't seem to be Peter's words at all. If they were, she would have known that Peter rode on the tractor with Tom, not Wilhelm. She just loosely bases the song on this story.

Capturing the magic of childhood and the struggles of the road to adulthood and finally the triumph of becoming a man. Like its title, the book weaves through dreams and profound moments of life as the hero comes to grips with a terrific loss in childhood and the power of self acceptance in adulthood.

Thank you Kate Bush for writing Cloudbusting and introducing me to this this book. Having read the book i now know what the song was about.

A very good book written from the perspective of a son looking back on life with his father and how he learned that dreams are for living, not just for sleeping on.....

Read this book. Look up Wilhelm Reich on Youtube. Don't believe his detractors.

important book

Its a bit of a strange read. Has a surreal quality, the narrative is less than completely clear for most of the book. I came across it by accident while reading about the Kate Bush song and thought I would give it a go.However the emotion that it was written with was moving and I found it interesting. It is worth a read just don't have too high expectations.

Poor kid, i suppose this made a lot more sense to him when he wrote it than it makes to someone reading it.I hope he is okay now (,:

I pre-ordered this book and was so excited to hear it was being re-released. I read it as a pdf document but it's so wonderful that I wanted to own a physical copy and secondhand copies were on sale for a very high price. It's not only a magical and amazingly honest read but is a beautiful item to own too. I am so pleased to have it in hardback and I will treasure it and read it again and again I'm sure. It only arrived today but I'm halfway through already and can't put it down. I hope that Peter kept his belly soft and that he is enjoying a rich and happy life. This book is a rare delight and I've now ordered a copy for my daughter too.

All I can say is that Kate Bush influenced me to buy this book because it inspired her to write Cloudbusting. The song is better than the book.

An awesome story of a young boy and his misunderstood genius father...if only Wilhelm Reich had been able to continue his work, the world would be a much better place .