
DREAMS
By Olive Schreiner
To a small girl-child, who may live to grasp somewhat of that which for us is yet sight, not touch. Note. These Dreams are printed in the order in which they were written. In the case of two there was a lapse of some years between the writing of the first and last parts; these are placed according to the date of the first part. Olive Schreiner. Matjesfontein, Cape Colony, South Africa. November, 1890.
I. THE LOST JOY. - All day, where the sunlight played on the sea-shore, Life sat.
II. THE HUNTER.
III. THE GARDENS OF PLEASURE.
IV. IN A FAR-OFF WORLD.
V. THREE DREAMS IN A DESERT. - Under a Mimosa-Tree.
VI. A DREAM OF WILD BEES.
VII. IN A RUINED CHAPEL. - “I cannot forgive—I love.”
In this lyrical meditation, abstract figures—Life, Love, and a shy, ever‑watchful companion—wander a sun‑kissed shore, their conversations woven from the rhythms of waves and the hush of wind. The narrative unfolds as a series of vivid, almost mythic scenes that explore the fleeting emergence of Joy and its quiet disappearance. Schreiner’s prose glimmers with poetic imagery, inviting listeners to feel the breath of the sea and the tremor of first love.
As the pair press onward through deserts, icy ravines, and fields of bloom, the mysterious newcomer offers tender aid, embodying a new, resilient form of hope. The work balances gentle humor with profound melancholy, prompting reflection on how desire, loss, and renewal shape our inner landscapes. Listeners will be drawn into a dream‑like journey that lingers long after the final line, echoing the timeless dance of yearning and comfort.
Language
en
Duration
~1 hours (100K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Sue Asscher, and David Widger
Release date
1998-08-01
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
Subjects

1855–1920
A pioneering South African novelist and essayist, she brought international attention to life in southern Africa with The Story of an African Farm. Her writing joined literary power with fearless arguments about women’s freedom, justice, and war.
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