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 3.5 read

How would you live your life if you could start it over again?
Replay certainly makes you think about the choices we all make, and the events that form hinges in our lives. If we had our time again, would things be better, would we make smarter choices, or would things just be different, would we just value and cherish what we have with more love and care? Did the author of Time Travellers wife read this - I think so.........Its an interesting read, and should certainly keep you engaged for a long journey.

Ummm

I can’t tell if I really liked it or really hated it. It was really good but the ending was such a let down.

A fictional exploration of free will and destiny

eff Winston, 43 years old, dies suddenly of a heart attack, in October 1988.

Then he wakes up, in 1963, eighteen years old and a freshman in college.

With all his memories of his previous life intact.

He's got it all to do over again, except that this time he can do it right. He can amass all the wealth, fame, and success he missed out on the first time around.

But his death happens again, on the same date, and he has a third chance. And a fourth. What's going on? Why is this happening? And is Jeff all alone, or are there others like him?

New readers of Replay are likely to think of the 1993 Bill Murray movie, Groundhog Day, but Replay precedes it by almost a decade, and Jeff Winston has to relive more than just one day, with far bigger lessons to learn than how not to be a jerk.

Over the course of the repeating cycle of the last twenty-five years of his life, Jeff explores the limits of how much control we really have of our lives and of events around us. Can he change major historical events he knows are coming? Can he build a better relationship with his wife--or a worse one? Does he need to marry the same woman at all?

It's a fascinating exploration of free will, destiny, and how to build meaning in your life.

Highly recommended.

I bought this audiobook.

Done in one sitting

One of the top reviewers said this was the first Book they searched for on Audible when they joined and the listened to it twice. I was skeptical, thought it was just a case of someone else's taste preference. But wow. What an awesome book. It touches the heart. I now see why someone would want to listen to this again. It encapsulates the life decisions we make on how we live our lives. So glad to have come across this book. Will make my top 10 favorite books at the end of the year.

So thought provoking

What did you love best about Replay?

The humanity of all of the characters, how they weren't perfect.

What did you like best about this story?

The premise is something we all wish for, so it was enjoyable seeing him go through life making different choices.

Fantastic book

Really a great book. The story is very interesting and unique. And the performance is spot on. Loved it.

The last half is much better than beginning

I had to repeatedly force myself to return to this book in the beginning. The main character was not likable and I found myself not wanting to listen to his trials. The end was better; it seemed to move faster as well.

Wonderful!

If you liked "The Time Traveler's Wife", you will like this! I couldn't wait for him to die so I could see what his next life would be!

Interesting Concept, Hated Characters

The book started out good, with an interesting story idea. However, by the end of the book, I really disliked the main characters for their habitual morally questionable decisions, as well as the ending moral of the story. The narrator did an overall good job, just being a little annoying when portraying women, especially during love scenes. Basically, it started out fun and interesting, but by the end I was a little bored and irritated.

Wow! What a fantastic story!

This is a great story! I don't know how I've missed this title for so many years. It's well worth the listen and will keep you intrigued all the way through.