Marcel Schwob’s La porte des rêves isn’t a novel with a single plot. Think of it more as a cabinet of curiosities, filled with twenty-one brief, luminous stories. Each one is a self-contained world. You might follow the philosopher Empedocles as he contemplates jumping into a volcano, or witness a bizarre trial in a land of talking animals. You’ll meet pirates, saints, murderers, and poets, all caught in moments where reality twists or reveals a hidden layer.

The Story

There isn't one story, but many. Schwob takes fragments of history, legend, and his own invention, and polishes them into perfect, puzzling gems. In one, a man becomes obsessed with his exact likeness in a painting. In another, we get the diary of a man slowly turning into a werewolf. The ‘gate’ of the title is the entry point into all these alternate realities and states of mind. The book doesn't follow a linear path; instead, it invites you to wander from one strange room to the next, never quite sure what you’ll find.

Why You Should Read It

I love this book because it respects your intelligence but also your sense of wonder. Schwob doesn’t over-explain. He gives you just enough—a vivid setting, a haunting mood, a sharp character sketch—and then lets the mystery hang in the air. The prose is clean and poetic, even in translation, and each story feels complete despite its brevity. It’s less about ‘what happens next’ and more about the lingering feeling it leaves behind: a sense of melancholy, awe, or quiet unease. Reading it feels like uncovering a secret history of the world, one written in dreams and whispers.

Final Verdict

This is a book for the curious reader. It’s perfect for someone who loves short stories, myth, and a touch of the macabre. If you enjoy writers like Edgar Allan Poe for his atmosphere, or Jorge Luis Borges for his intellectual playfulness, you’ll find a kindred spirit in Schwob. It’s also great for busy people—you can read a story in a few minutes and think about it all day. Just be warned: it’s addictive. Once you step through ‘The Gate of Dreams,’ you’ll want to see what’s on the other side of every strange door he opens.