Lincoln's Dreams

Published in 1987, the novel follows a young woman named Annie who begins experiencing intensely vivid, agonizing dreams connected to Civil War General Robert E. Lee. She teams up with a historical researcher to uncover the meaning behind these haunting visions and trace their connection to Lee's psychological trauma.

Yes, the novel won the John W. Campbell Memorial Award for Best Science Fiction Novel in 1988. It was also nominated for the Locus Award for Best Fantasy Novel, establishing Connie Willis as a powerhouse in the science fiction community.

Despite the title, the book focuses much more heavily on the emotional and psychological burdens of Robert E. Lee rather than Abraham Lincoln. The title references a historical trend of Lincoln himself having prophetic dreams, which contextualizes the supernatural elements Annie experiences throughout the story.

While often grouped with science fiction or alternate history due to its Civil War setting, it is more accurately described as supernatural historical fiction. Connie Willis weaves real historical facts regarding the Civil War with supernatural dream sequences, creating a unique time-slip narrative.