Sweet Dreams

Heaven, reported St John in Revelation, was a cubical city 12,000 furlongs high made of ''pure gold, like unto clear glass''. That was 1,900 years ago, and Heaven as it is today has changed out of all recognition. Sweet Dreams is the account of a recent journey to the metropolis at the nerve-centre of the universe. The journey was undertaken not by a mystical reporter like St John, but by Howard Baker, an observer of much more modern outlook. He finds a city which offers rich opportunities for leisure and enjoyment - but one which also presents a moral and intellectual challenge. In short, a city which is highly adapted to the requirements of modest, responsible, likeable, educated men of liberal views and genuine social concern called Howard Baker.

Michael Frayn is the celebrated author of plays such as Copenhagen and Afterlife. His bestselling novels include Headlong, which was shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize, Spies, which won the Whitbread Best Novel Award and his latest novel Skios, which was longlisted for the Man Booker Prize.

''May go down in history as one of England''s special contributions to the twentieth century.'' Times Literary

''Lucid, intelligent, delightful, stylish, extremely funny . . . I recommend it wholeheartedly.'' New York Times