George Orr is in most respects a mild and unremarkable man who finds the world a less than pleasant place to live: seven billion people jostle for living space and food. But George has an ability with which he can transform the world around him: for George dreams dreams which do in fact change reality. He has no way of controlling this extraordinary power, and his psychiatrist is at first sceptical. When Dr Haber sees the effects of George's power, he cannot resist using it: at first just to advance his own career, but then, gaining confidence, to try to change their overcrowded world into a more attractive place.