Replay

By: Ken Grimwood

Narrated by: William Dufris

Length: 11 hrs and 26 mins

Publisher's summary

In 1988, 43-year-old Jeff Winston died of a heart attack. But then he awoke, and it was 1963; Jeff was 18 all over again, his memory of the next two decades intact. This time around, Jeff would gain all the power and wealth he never had before. This time around he'd know how to do it right. Until next time.

©1998 Ken Grimwood (P)2008 Tantor

Critic reviews

World Fantasy Award, Best Novel, 1988

Slow start but gets rolling

About halfway through the book it really gets rolling. while not on the same caliber of Kings 11/22/63 it's still an interesting book with a very human character making choices I think a normal person would in his situation.

Couldn't turn it off!

This story captivated me from the get go. Ken Grimwood's narration kept me interested in the characters for 11.5 hours straight. What an intriguing story to listen to on a long drive. I usually am spoiled by knowing the plot of books, but even with plot knowledge this book was too good to turn off.

EXCELLENT!!!

I loved this book..... loved the idea, loved the story, loved the narrator and loved the characters. The story will draw you in from the very beginning and it keeps a good flow throughout. Makes you question... 'what if I were given a second (or more) chance', knowing everything I know now. It seems that everyone at one time or another has had the thought of 'what would I do different if I could go back in time'. This story is one man and woman's answer to that question and the lessons they learn along the way. I thoroughly recommend this book and will definitely look at more of Ken Grimwood's books.

This should be a Netflix Limited Series!!

Wow! If you liked Groundhog Day you'll love this story as it's the same premise but with a major twist and much more easy to suspend your disbelief and become one with the protagonist who makes rational decisions in a world turned upside down.

Replay

The audiobook version of Replay is just over eleven hours of listening, narrated by William Dufris, released in 2008 by Tantor Audio - originally published in the late 1980s.

Replay opens with a middle-aged guy dying at his desk of a heart attack and immediately ‘coming to’ at the age of 18 in his dorm room. He gets a chance at another life, taking full advantage of what he knows of the future making him a wealthy man. But, he dies of a heart attack again … and again … and again … each time given the same opportunities, foibles to overcome, remembering his previous lives completely. In the last couple of “replays” he has come across another person, a woman, who is also replaying her life, over and over again. And these life-spans are getting shorter, and shorter, and ….

Why does this happen … or does something similar happen to all of us and we just don’t know it? Mmmmm. Food for thought that may have you thinking about this book long after you finish reading.

Nicely narrated by William Dufris. No issues with audio production.

As an aside … Grimwood authored other books under the name Alan Cochran, but the most interesting fact is that he died of a heart attack. Ironic.

A decent listen.

Unexpected gem

Don't miss this one. Although this was from 1988 it holds up surprisingly well. Sometimes the narrative is a little off but it does not detract from the overall story which is magnificent. Buy it now.

Still thinking about this....

I loved this unusual book and the way in which it made me stop and consider life and all its quirks. I kept trying to imagine what I would have done in similar circumstances. What a great premise for a book. I hope indeed that they make it into a movie. What a fun book to read (hear).

Better Than Groundhog Day

This book makes you feel for the main character. He lives so many lives yet never seems to get it right. It's a book that makes you contemplate what happens after death and one to enjoy until the end.

I won’t forget this one ...

Wonderful book and a really full filling story that makes one cherish what they have.

Excellent!

I couldn’t “put it down!” I’m hoping for sequels. A great listen! (3 more words required! 🤗)