Description
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • From the bestselling author of Dark Matter and the Wayward Pines trilogy comes a relentless thriller about time, identity, and memory—his most mind-boggling, irresistible work to date, and the inspiration for Shondaland’s upcoming Netflix film. “Gloriously twisting . . . a heady campfire tale of a novel.”— The New York Times Book Review NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY Time • NPR • BookRiot Reality is broken. At first, it looks like a disease. An epidemic that spreads through no known means, driving its victims mad with memories of a life they never lived. But the force that’s sweeping the world is no pathogen. It’s just the first shock wave, unleashed by a stunning discovery—and what’s in jeopardy is not our minds but the very fabric of time itself. In New York City, Detective Barry Sutton is closing in on the truth—and in a remote laboratory, neuroscientist Helena Smith is unaware that she alone holds the key to this mystery . . . and the tools for fighting back. Together, Barry and Helena will have to confront their enemy—before they, and the world, are trapped in a loop of ever-growing chaos. Praise for Recursion “An action-packed, brilliantly unique ride that had me up late and shirking responsibilities until I had devoured the last page . . . a fantastic read.” —Andy Weir, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Martian “Another profound science-fiction thriller. Crouch masterfully blends science and intrigue into the experience of what it means to be deeply human.” — Newsweek “Definitely not one to forget when you’re packing for vacation . . . [Crouch] breathes fresh life into matters with a mix of heart, intelligence, and philosophical musings.” — Entertainment Weekly “A trippy journey down memory lane . . . [Crouch’s] intelligence is an able match for the challenge he’s set of overcoming the structure of time itself.” — Time “Wildly entertaining . . . another winning novel from an author at the top of his game.” — AV Club
Tim Briggs –
I’m kind of a sucker for time travel books/films. I saw this was well-reviewed and I was eager to jump in. There is a well-established canon when it comes to time travel theory in pop culture. Within that canon, there is some freedom to bend and push the boundaries and remain orthodox. The time travel theory behind this book is completely heretical. It’s absurd and I’m surprised how little time and space is dedicated to even defending the science (or lack thereof) behind it. Yet, the concept of this story is incredibly unique. I applaud the ambition and look forward to reading more from the author. Behind all the science and wonky time travel theory, is a meditation on pain, suffering, memory, and meaning: “Life with a cheat code isn’t life. Our existence isn’t something to be engineered or optimized for the avoidance of pain. That’s what it is to be human—the beauty and the pain, each meaningless without the other.”
Tim Briggs –
I’m kind of a sucker for time travel books/films. I saw this was well-reviewed and I was eager to jump in. There is a well-established canon when it comes to time travel theory in pop culture. Within that canon, there is some freedom to bend and push the boundaries and remain orthodox. The time travel theory behind this book is completely heretical. It’s absurd and I’m surprised how little time and space is dedicated to even defending the science (or lack thereof) behind it. Yet, the concept of this story is incredibly unique. I applaud the ambition and look forward to reading more from the author. Behind all the science and wonky time travel theory, is a meditation on pain, suffering, memory, and meaning: “Life with a cheat code isn’t life. Our existence isn’t something to be engineered or optimized for the avoidance of pain. That’s what it is to be human—the beauty and the pain, each meaningless without the other.”
Tim Briggs –
I’m kind of a sucker for time travel books/films. I saw this was well-reviewed and I was eager to jump in. There is a well-established canon when it comes to time travel theory in pop culture. Within that canon, there is some freedom to bend and push the boundaries and remain orthodox. The time travel theory behind this book is completely heretical. It’s absurd and I’m surprised how little time and space is dedicated to even defending the science (or lack thereof) behind it. Yet, the concept of this story is incredibly unique. I applaud the ambition and look forward to reading more from the author. Behind all the science and wonky time travel theory, is a meditation on pain, suffering, memory, and meaning: “Life with a cheat code isn’t life. Our existence isn’t something to be engineered or optimized for the avoidance of pain. That’s what it is to be human—the beauty and the pain, each meaningless without the other.”
Matt –
I purchases this novel on recommendation of a friend to accompany me on a recent work trip to Colorado., After the first few pages of this book I was hooked! Crouch is able to develop a very compelling story and play with the concept of time travel in new and exciting way I had not seen before. The book takes place in a handful of locations but two of the locations are New Jersey and Colorado which added an extra fun touch to this novel for me as that was where I was from and where I was traveling to while reading it., The book made the flight pass by quickly and left me wanting to continue reading to see what would happen next., The only downside to the book for me would be it flubs the landing slightly and struggles to close out the story it set up so well. It doesn’t take away from the artfully crafted story that was told through out the book but if I had one criticism that would be it., If you like scfi and time travel this novel is for you.
Matt –
I purchases this novel on recommendation of a friend to accompany me on a recent work trip to Colorado., After the first few pages of this book I was hooked! Crouch is able to develop a very compelling story and play with the concept of time travel in new and exciting way I had not seen before. The book takes place in a handful of locations but two of the locations are New Jersey and Colorado which added an extra fun touch to this novel for me as that was where I was from and where I was traveling to while reading it., The book made the flight pass by quickly and left me wanting to continue reading to see what would happen next., The only downside to the book for me would be it flubs the landing slightly and struggles to close out the story it set up so well. It doesn’t take away from the artfully crafted story that was told through out the book but if I had one criticism that would be it., If you like scfi and time travel this novel is for you.
Matt –
I purchases this novel on recommendation of a friend to accompany me on a recent work trip to Colorado., After the first few pages of this book I was hooked! Crouch is able to develop a very compelling story and play with the concept of time travel in new and exciting way I had not seen before. The book takes place in a handful of locations but two of the locations are New Jersey and Colorado which added an extra fun touch to this novel for me as that was where I was from and where I was traveling to while reading it., The book made the flight pass by quickly and left me wanting to continue reading to see what would happen next., The only downside to the book for me would be it flubs the landing slightly and struggles to close out the story it set up so well. It doesn’t take away from the artfully crafted story that was told through out the book but if I had one criticism that would be it., If you like scfi and time travel this novel is for you.
Kip Gire –
I’ve had this book on the backburner, as it was glowingly recommended as THE Blake Crouch to read. I totally understand all of the accolades and awards. This was a monumental read. One of those that you need to talk about it with someone for hours to gleam the parts that broke your brain and share in just the awesome. The story isn’t science fiction-y, as it is future possible-tech fiction-y. I note that as most sci-fi doesn’t do it for me. There’s love and tension and regret and fear and dreams all in abound here. It will also discombobulate you at times, forcing you to go back and reread the last page again a few times. It’s not that its challenging, it just swings way harder for the fences than most books try to, and is successful in almost every sentence., I’m moving this directly past Go, collecting $200 and placing it on my serious favorites list., I want to give this six stars., Go read it now. And then, call me ASAP.
Kip Gire –
I’ve had this book on the backburner, as it was glowingly recommended as THE Blake Crouch to read. I totally understand all of the accolades and awards. This was a monumental read. One of those that you need to talk about it with someone for hours to gleam the parts that broke your brain and share in just the awesome. The story isn’t science fiction-y, as it is future possible-tech fiction-y. I note that as most sci-fi doesn’t do it for me. There’s love and tension and regret and fear and dreams all in abound here. It will also discombobulate you at times, forcing you to go back and reread the last page again a few times. It’s not that its challenging, it just swings way harder for the fences than most books try to, and is successful in almost every sentence., I’m moving this directly past Go, collecting $200 and placing it on my serious favorites list., I want to give this six stars., Go read it now. And then, call me ASAP.
Kip Gire –
I’ve had this book on the backburner, as it was glowingly recommended as THE Blake Crouch to read. I totally understand all of the accolades and awards. This was a monumental read. One of those that you need to talk about it with someone for hours to gleam the parts that broke your brain and share in just the awesome. The story isn’t science fiction-y, as it is future possible-tech fiction-y. I note that as most sci-fi doesn’t do it for me. There’s love and tension and regret and fear and dreams all in abound here. It will also discombobulate you at times, forcing you to go back and reread the last page again a few times. It’s not that its challenging, it just swings way harder for the fences than most books try to, and is successful in almost every sentence., I’m moving this directly past Go, collecting $200 and placing it on my serious favorites list., I want to give this six stars., Go read it now. And then, call me ASAP.
Dennis Davenport –
It’s been quite a while since I last read science fiction. This book has rekindled my desire to check out more Sci-Fi and specifically Blake Crouch’s writings. It was a book I just couldn’t put down. Absolutely loved it!
Dennis Davenport –
It’s been quite a while since I last read science fiction. This book has rekindled my desire to check out more Sci-Fi and specifically Blake Crouch’s writings. It was a book I just couldn’t put down. Absolutely loved it!
Dennis Davenport –
It’s been quite a while since I last read science fiction. This book has rekindled my desire to check out more Sci-Fi and specifically Blake Crouch’s writings. It was a book I just couldn’t put down. Absolutely loved it!
Kindle Customer –
Quantum physics, hard scifi, romance, mystery, and action all rolled into one beautiful masterclass in writing. What’s not to love? Recursion is by far my favorite book of the year, maybe even of the decade.
Kindle Customer –
Quantum physics, hard scifi, romance, mystery, and action all rolled into one beautiful masterclass in writing. What’s not to love? Recursion is by far my favorite book of the year, maybe even of the decade.
Kindle Customer –
Quantum physics, hard scifi, romance, mystery, and action all rolled into one beautiful masterclass in writing. What’s not to love? Recursion is by far my favorite book of the year, maybe even of the decade.