The Goggles of Dr. Dragonet: See What Others Cannot—But Beware What Sees You

In The Goggles of Dr. Dragonet, Fritz Leiber introduces three friends—Arthur, Marty, and Alice—who have grown accustomed to the bizarre inventions of Dr. Hugo Dragonet. But nothing prepares them for his latest creation: black goggles that reveal the mysterious glow of consciousness itself. When they put them on, Los Angeles becomes a strange panorama of “mind light,” with living beings appearing as glowing colors and patterns.

Their scientific experiment soon becomes an extraordinary nighttime journey through Los Angeles. Minds shimmer in unexpected hues, animals reveal their own awareness, and even the distant sky seems alive. The experience is fascinating and increasingly unsettling. Then a presence neither human nor terrestrial appears, suggesting Dragonet’s invention may have revealed something humanity was never supposed to see.

Leiber combines speculative science, suspense, and wry humor with memorable characters and lively dialogue. The result is a story that begins with a curious invention and gradually opens the door to a much larger universe.

Fritz Leiber (1910–1992) was one of the most influential writers of 20th-century speculative fiction, producing acclaimed science fiction, fantasy, and horror. His imaginative storytelling and sophisticated characters helped reshape genre fiction and influenced generations of writers.

Winner of multiple Hugo, Nebula, and World Fantasy Awards, Leiber also created the celebrated fantasy adventurers Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser. His shorter fiction contains some of his most inventive ideas, and The Goggles of Dr. Dragonet showcases his talent for turning an unusual scientific possibility into a surprising encounter with the unknown.