Life is a collection of memories – each moment builds on the previous to create new pages in the story of our existence.

There are few things more difficult and painful than when a loved one begins to lose their memory.  In Recursion, Helena’s mission is to save her mother from the atrocities Alzheimer’s by preserving even the smallest and most select memories.  She receives funding from a mysterious benefactor in a deal seemingly too good to be true.

Helena’s invention has unintended consequences – it is able to override memories and send the world into alternative timelines (cue Bran from Game of Thrones). Imagine being able to erase losing a loved one by rewinding life to before the tragedy. Further complication matter, alternative timelines cross leaving all humans afflicted with two pasts – think of the most vivid déjà vu where you had a different wife, daughter, life or even death!

Frankly, this is a hard premise to explain because I don’t believe I completely understood how it worked.  This was a very complex Groundhog’s Day of sorts that Crouch has become known for.  While I don’t believe you need a PhD to enjoy this book, it would certainly help. However, my confusion really did not take away from the characters or the adventure.

I enjoyed the premise but felt this story had two too many reiterations (similar to Dark Matter). I almost wish this narrative was a short story or other form of literature. Recursion gets an A+ for creativity and originality, but a B for execution.

PS – shout out for naming a character after our favorite author – Amor Towles!

Verdict: Sigh. I am on the fence. If you enjoyed Crouch’s Dark Matter then give this a read. 3.5/5 Stars
Length: 336 pages
Quote: The cold is the only thing keeping him tethered to reality.
When: you want a mindf*ck.
Also Try: 7.5 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton (B2C review)

Buy Recursion by Blake Crouch