Replay
Jeff Winston, forty-three, didn't know he was a replayer until he died and woke up twenty-five years younger in his college dorm room; he lived another life. And died again. And lived again and died again—in a continuous twenty-five-year cycle—each time starting from scratch at the age of eighteen to reclaim lost loves, remedy past mistakes, or make a fortune in the stock market. A novel of gripping adventure, romance, and fascinating speculation on the nature of time, Replay asks the question: "What if you could live your life over again?"
Stats for nerds
12recommend
18mentions
16people
2014–2026years
78% recommend22% neutral
Mentions per year
What Hacker News says
- I just read Replay by Ken Grimwood. Couldn’t put it down and finished in a day. It’s a “character re-lives his life in a time loop” story, which subsequently has been done in many different ways, but this is an early example (was published in 1986 or 87, so e.g. it predates Groundhog Day by several years).
Anyway it was an emotional read. I’m surprised I had never encountered the book before, since “alternate choices affecting how your life turns out” is a concept I’ve always been into. But on the other hand this one would not have been nearly as powerful to me earlier in my life. Me being the same age (or close enough) to the main character at the start is what does it, of course.
So, recommended, especially if you’re in your early-mid 40s.
- Both of these are quick, easy reads. Don't read about the plots ahead of time.
Replay by Ken Grimwood: https://www.amazon.com/Replay-Ken-Grimwood/dp/068816112X
Illusions by Richard Bach: https://www.amazon.com/Illusions-Adventures-Reluctant-Richar...
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Bonus: Anything by Kevin Kelly. He always seemed to be over-hyped by influencers, so I avoided his work for the longest time. That was a mistake.
- Sometimes 1-3 hours a day, sometimes never. It is important to build the reading habit.
My tips? Make a goal of reading a single book for 30 minutes somewhere quiet. If you have a smartphone and/or smartwatch, put them in a different room. Now resolve to read an interesting book for 30 minutes.
If you are looking for engaging recommendations, check out Replay by Ken Grimwood[1]. Try not to read too much about the plot before reading it. If you're a younger person, the book will serve as a warning. If you're an older person, it will hit hard.
- Hard agree on Harry August, also the book I usually recommend to anyone who wants a suggestion. If you liked it, I also seriously think you should try "Replay" by Ken Grimwood, similar, slightly, but an entirely unique and wonderful novel of its own. Also, a very poignant look at love in the context chaotically living your live again and again.
- Replay by Ken Grimwood.
Don’t read anything about the plot, it will spoil it. Don’t read the Wikipedia article.
It’s a science fiction novel. Relatively short.
The book will hit you differently, depending on your age.
It’s messed with me for weeks and it’s still messing with me.
- Ken Grimwood - Replay
It’s a fun story where the main character gets to relive part of his life. Even though I can’t replay in my own life, the story still gave me a lot to think about and helps me live happily (and prevent too much existential dread from creeping in).
