Recursion

A Novel

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • From thebestselling author of Dark Matter and the Wayward Pines trilogy comes a relentless thriller about time, identity, and memory—his most mind-boggling, irresistible work to date, and the inspiration for Shondaland’s upcoming Netflix film.

“Gloriously twisting . . . a heady campfire tale of a novel.”—The New York Times Book Review

NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY Time • NPR • BookRiot

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.

Praise for Recursion

“An action-packed, brilliantly unique ride that had me up late and shirking responsibilities until I had devoured the last page . . . a fantastic read.”—Andy Weir, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Martian

“Another profound science-fiction thriller. Crouch masterfully blends science and intrigue into the experience of what it means to be deeply human.”—Newsweek

“Definitely not one to forget when you’re packing for vacation . . . [Crouch] breathes fresh life into matters with a mix of heart, intelligence, and philosophical musings.”—Entertainment Weekly

“A trippy journey down memory lane . . . [Crouch’s] intelligence is an able match for the challenge he’s set of overcoming the structure of time itself.”—Time

“Wildly entertaining . . . another winning novel from an author at the top of his game.”—AV Club

If you’re looking for the best multiverse book you’ve ever listened to, this will be it

This book picks up at the quarter mark and never lets go. I’ve already listened to it twice. It’s that good. A world I don’t want to leave as each listen comes to an end.

No criticism here.

Solid, but not great

Blake Crouch has a certain style with a lot of twists, and this didn't disappoint, but I didn't connect with any of the characters like I did in his other novels. The narration was great and I didn't mind so much that there was two different narrators like I have in the past.

My biggest complaint is that the books structure made listening to the book a little rough. It was broken up into books and not chapters, so it was hard to find stopping points unless you listened to the whole 1-3 hour block.

I Loved It!

This book held my rapt attention from the get go. I was able to follow without any confusion throughout. I loved the way the science fiction was interwoven with the importance of love and family. It really resonated with me and made me think some very deep thoughts. I recommend it to anyone who wants to be challenged to consider the nature of reality and the choices we all make in our lifetimes. Blake Crouch wowed me with both Dark Matter and Recursion. I think he's an amazing writer and a brilliant deep thinker.

Masterpiece!

I’m such a Blake Crouch fanboy! Awesome book that even entertained my lame girlfriend! Woohoo!

Time, memory, reality, and consciousness

Is our perception of time merely a false, simplistic construct our brains have created because our limited ability to experience true reality, as opposed to the one our minds create, is too constrained? Does the passage of time even exist or is that a waking dream untethered to physics?

“Recursion” explores our relationship with time through our individual and shared conscious memories. If a memory could launch a new reality, what would happen to our current selves? to the world?