Book Review- Recursion

Recursion by Blake Crouch

Memory makes reality. That’s what New York City cop Barry Sutton is learning as he investigates the devastating phenomenon the media has dubbed False Memory Syndrome—a mysterious affliction that drives its victims mad with memories of a life they never lived.

Neuroscientist Helena Smith already understands the power of memory. It’s why she’s dedicated her life to creating a technology that will let us preserve our most precious moments of our pasts. If she succeeds, anyone will be able to re-experience a first kiss, the birth of a child, the final moment with a dying parent.

As Barry searches for the truth, he comes face-to-face with an opponent more terrifying than any disease—a force that attacks not just our minds but the very fabric of the past. And as its effects begin to unmake the world as we know it, only he and Helena, working together, will stand a chance at defeating it.

But how can they make a stand when reality itself is shifting and crumbling all around them?

Barry Sutton pulls over into the fire lane at the main entrance of the Poe Building, an Art Deco tower glowing white in the illumination of its exterior sconces.

I think it is safe to say that fans of Dark Matter are going to love Recursion. It has all the elements that made Dark Matter so great- it is fast-paced, with great characters, and a lot of mind-bending twists and turns. This is the kind of edge-of-your-seat SciFi that I love, and no one does it quite as well as Blake Crouch.

Much like Dark Matter, the story can be difficult to follow but it does not even matter. You trust that Crouch knows what he is doing and that you do not need to understand every nuance and scientific term or theory. This may seem strange, but I do not feel that the science was important. I do not want to say too much more about the science or the plot because I think it is most fun to going in to Recursion knowing as little as possible.

What is so great about Recursion is that Crouch has managed to find the perfect balance between an action-drive and a character-driven story. If you have been reading more blog for awhile, you may know that I much prefer character-driven novels and, even though you may not expect it, this book delivers. The two narrators are complex, flawed, memorable, and have interesting back stories. You feel as though you truly come to know them and understand their motivations.

I will warn you that it may take awhile to really get in to the story because there is quite of bit of set up that needs to be done before it really gets going. It is still interesting though, and the payoff is worth it.

Yes! Dark Matter fans will not be disappointed! I also think if you are looking to dip your toe in the world of science fiction, Recursion might be a good place to start.