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

Interesting idea; narration and writing not great

The central premise of the book is an interesting one. Unfortunately the author doesn't follow the writer's dictum "show them, don't tell them." There is a great deal of exposition, narration, and summary of the protagonist's life. Everything is spelled out, the reader doesn't get to arrive at any conclusions alone.

The story begins in the 1960's, and the philosophic musings of the book seem straight of the 60's and 70's.

The narrator doesn't help. He often emphasizes the ends of sentences in ways that make the already sentimental and solipsistic writing seem even more so.

Lastly, he makes the main character sound like a bad SNL imitation of Bill Clinton. I finished the book, but I was ready for it to be over about the half-way point.

Groundhog day

I loved this book. Each time he replays, you see a different side of the same person. It's an excellent novel and I wish there was a sequel!

not my usual genre. i took a lucky risk

Would you listen to Replay again? Why?

no probably not because I'm just not a repeater, or a replayer

What other book might you compare Replay to and why?

beartown.
I like long books that seamlessly hold my attention. I easily drift because I listen to books on long runs. this one kept me focused

Have you listened to any of William Dufris’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

not sure

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I cried. the endling is inevitable, not devastating, but just.....sad

Any additional comments?

I'm not a "time travel" reader. or anything that hints at sci-fi. but this book really kept my attention. very very entertaining.
the narration was seamless. like, you are not aware of it....which for me, is ideal

Best book in years

Loved the twists and turns. Smart enough not to bore me. Romantic enough to interest me. Even lived a life I would have tried.

Enjoyable, thought provoking book.

What if you got to do it all over again?
A well written book that makes you think. Narrator was solid, not the best but quite good.

Groundhog Day taken to the next level

I really ended up enjoying this book. I listen to books on my commute. It took a while for me to get excited about listening each time during the first couple of chapters. I thought it was going to be a retelling of the movie Groundhog Day, which it was... a little. This is why I chose this book. I like the concept of Replay/Groundhog Day. However, the author chose some very interesting twists that hooked me in. Overall, a very good listen and story. I appreciated the narration's interpretation of the story and delivery. This ended up being well worth the listen.

Amazing book-

Came here because of narrator who is great and the story seemed good- groundhog day like-
You cant put it down and its one of the best audiobooks
Highly enjoyed it highly recommended if you like groundhod day in a more serious way-highly satisfying
Narrator elevates the story

Wow. Just WOW!!!

I was hooked right from the beginning. I loved Flashforward by Sawyer--and this is like it in reverse--over and over. I loved King's 11 22 63--this compares on a much smaller level. Ken Grimwood has a new fan! Highly recommended.

Good start, but couldn't wait for it to end

I don't usually go for science fiction titles, but this one intrigued me, in part because it's been mentioned as a basis for the concept behind Groundhog Day. The story starts out strong, with the main character dying almost immediately and then finding himself reawakening 25 years in the past, in his 18-year-old body in his college dorm room. He then relives the next 25 years, only to die again at exactly the same time, on exactly the same day. This cycle repeats itself several times throughout the story, and the first few times through it's interesting to read how the character chooses to do different things with his new life each time, and how he reacts to the fact that he has another opportunity to start over.

After the first few times, it gets old. For the last third of the story, I kept checking the time I had left until the end, and was amazed as how much was still to come! By the last time through I was relieved that it was over.

Weird narration

The narrator really does not do a good job with female voices - makes them sound annoying and simpering. Also has awful pronunciation on certain words - Shasta, savannah, Poughkeepsie - like fingers on a chalkboard