Review: Recursion by Blake Crouch

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.

Recursion by Blake Crouch. Narraded by Abby Craden and Jon Lindstrom. Published by Random House Audio, 2019. Run time is 10 hours and 47 minutes.

I received an advanced readers copy of this book from GoodReads Giveaway.

This was a very creepy, scary premise. Who isn’t scared of loosing all their precious memories? It is a very terrifying thought. This book reminded me a lot of the movie Dark City, but without the cadaver aliens. It is an absolutely brilliant look at the pros and cons of editing memories. Also extremely sad when dealing with reliving the same hurtful memories over and over. It never heals and it can lead to a mental breakdown. That is also a terrifying thought. Blake does a great job of telling us to not %$@* with science.

The book is broken up into different parts and for the majority of the book I was very entertained. It did start to feel a little too long and repetitive towards the end when the government steps in. And I get it…. I mean… the book is all about editing memories and reliving your life multiple times. So while I do understand the need to show how everyone’s life is this horrible repeating nightmare, it did start to feel like it was dragging on a bit too long. Though, I will say this is one of Blake’s better books. It was extremely entertaining.

The two narrators do a great job. They capture the attitudes and swagger of the main characters. They also do a great job of showing the growth of the characters through the evolving cadence of their deliveries through the entire book.