A review by wanderinglynn
Recursion by Blake Crouch

adventurous challenging dark emotional reflective medium-paced

5.0

The time present of things past is memory; the time present of things present is direct experience; the time present of things future is expectation.
St. Augustine

This trippy story is like being in an episode of the Twilight Zone! While I was initially hesitant because the synopsis didn't quite engage me, I picked it up because it was recommended to me and was one of my 12 months, 12 books, 12 friends challenge. So I started the book and surprisingly, found myself quickly getting lost in the story. I couldn't put it down. What a wild ride!

Broken into 5 books, the story flips between Helena's and Barry's POVs, between different times and alternative timelines. I listened to the audiobook and Jon Lindstrom and Abby Craden did a wonderful job narrating the dual POVs.

This book is a crazy blend of science fiction and thriller with a slice of romance. Since I was listening to the audiobook and was doing other things, I would think the story was about to conclude and BAM! Another twist. Another angle. Right up until the end, I was hooked. I wasn't sure Crouch was going to be able to pull it off, but he did. It made me question everything and now I want to go back and reread all the philosophy books I read in college.

Life can only be understood backwards, but it must be lived forwards.
Soren Kierkegaard

This was my first Blake Crouch book but it won't be my last!


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