Set in the near future (mid 2010), Charlie Huston in Sleepless recounts a tale that, though speculative, is all too close to reality. Park, a cop for the LAPD, is enlisted to work under cover as a drug dealer in order to discover the route by which the experimental drug, Dreamer, is being sold and distributed. Dreamer is of particular interest to many people because, while it cannot cure SLP and those that have it will die from its effects, it does allow those with the condition to fall into a sleeplike trance which gives them some relief in the time remaining of their life

The road that Park follows on the trail of the drug is neither well marked nor smooth. Not surprisingly, many dedicated videogamers are familiar with the symptoms of SLP, having spent many, many hours playing games, not wanting to quit as they strive to achieve yet one higher level. In fact, Rose is a devotee of Chasm Tide, using her waking hours to gain success with the game. While baby Omaha is Rose’s pride and joy, as her condition worsens Rose often forgets to tend to her infant. Park returns home to find the baby crying and Rose totally unaware that Omaha needs attention.

Sleepless is a book which encompasses several genres. It is a mystery story in that the people responsible for the illegal traffic in Dreamer are unknown. It is speculative fiction because the prion SLP does not actually exist. It is a morality tale and an inside look into the world of so called professional gamers. Moreover, Huston does justice to each of these arenas.

As a character Parker Haas is a complex and intriguing guy. His moral values are high, yet he slips easily into the underworld of the drug culture. He has a conscience and he is devoted to his family even though he spends a great deal of time away from them. He is ethical and dedicated to a kind of justice only a philosophy major such as he is can understand. And, Park is a cop. As he describes his mindset he does not know how to figure things out like a detective, he does the grunt cop work. It is not hard to empathize with the man.

It would be easy for the author to slip into the lingo of the drug culture and gaming community but he does not. The elements are all there but those unfamiliar with the territory will have no trouble following the train of thought and will doubtless learn something of those segments of society.

The author gives voice to concerns about genetic engineering through a brief description of genetically altered corn and its purported effects on cattle or people who eat it. While he does not take a firm stand on one side of the argument or the other he does point out potential problems with fooling around with Mother Nature adding yet another dimension to the book.

The author has chosen to use several different points of view and voices in Sleepless. It is difficult at times to determine who “I” is in several passages as it is not clear from the context. Ultimately all is well, but it helps to read the book in as few sittings as possible.

The depth and complexity of Sleepless make it attractive to a variety of readers and those who think they have little interest in gaming or alternative reality or drug culture should not dismiss it. The author writes very well. Enough said. 

--Andy Plonka