Recursion by Blake Crouch, 4 stars

[NancyJ]

This is an intriguing book and a great ride. It initially starts in two time lines. A cop is haunted by a suicide he could not prevent. The victim began to have vivid memories of a whole other life, in addition to her real life. She is confused and grieving over the family she cannot have, and she can no longer cope. This is becoming an apparent epidemic called False Memory Syndrome. In an earlier timeline, we follow a neuroscientist who wants to help Alzheimer's patients re-experience lost memories. Eventually these time lines meet, intertwine, and expand with horrific outcomes.

At one point I was sure I was going to give this book 5 stars. I liked the characters and the plot line, but it started to get a little tedious with a few too many recursive loops. (view spoiler)[It started to feel like a time travel book, in which the time loops get out of control (hide spoiler)] Like a lot of science-fiction, you're better off if you don't look at it too closely. Just hang on and enjoy the ride.

[Susie]

A good one for when you need an escapist read?

[Karin]

Susie wrote: "A good one for when you need an escapist read?"

It depends on what makes a book escapist for you--this is a thriller and a bit on the dark side.

[NancyJ]

I think so. It’s a diverting fantasy. It gets really scary at one point, but you know it couldn’t actually happen.

[Karin]

NancyJ wrote: "I think so. It’s a diverting fantasy. It gets really scary at one point, but you know it couldn’t actually happen."

Right, I know it can't ever happen which is true for almost all scifi, but it depends on what kind of escapist reading I am in the mood for or others :)

[Meli]

My book club just picked this for March! I am looking forward to it.

[Charlotte]

I loved this book! I did give it 5 stars but I agree that it was a bit tedious at one point.

[Shelly]

Glad this book is getting a lot of attention and a lot of love! I agree, don't get too caught up in the time loops and trying to figure out who is where when and how, just enjoy the ride, many interesting questions to consider.

[Meli]

Karin wrote: "Right, I know it can't ever happen which is true for almost all scifi."

I feel like the best sci-fi deals with things that can be or are approaching reality... robots that are so human we can't tell the difference, thought police, etc.

Most of the sci-fi I've read is usually showing what could be if we keep in the direction we are going (as a humanity) which is what makes it so scary.

I'll have to read this and see if that is the case here, but I suspect this requires more suspension of disbelief.

[Joy D]

Nice review, NancyJ. This one sounds interesting to me.