Fever Dream is a novel by Argentinian author Samantha Schweblin. Initially titled Distancia de rescate, and written in Spanish, it was published in 2014. It was later translated for the English-speaking world by Megan McDowell and published in 2017 by Riverhead Books.
Inspired by Argentina's excessive use of harmful pesticides for farming, Schweblin explores the country's production of genetically engineered crops. These crops are highly resistant to pesticide. Thus, farmers use herbicide excessively to guarantee a higher yield but at the cost of the environment and human life. Health issues such as birth defects and cancer are detected among residents.
Many of the children in the vicinity have visible birth defects. This is directly linked to the contamination of water sources in the region. The run-off water from these highly intensive farms are loaded with hazardous chemicals.
Fever Dream is a psychologically horrific tale about the pitfalls of capitalism and the clear disregard for human life and the environment. The novel won the 2015 Tigre Juan Literary Award, 2017 Shirley Jackson Award for outstanding novella, and the 2018 Morning News Tournament of Books. It was nominated for the 2017 The Man Booker International Prize Shortlist.
