Dark Matter

The glowing encomiums from authors such as Andy Weir and Harlan Coben made me think I was going to get rather more from this novel than it actually delivered. Perhaps in the world of thrillers this is mind-bending stuff, but for SF readers the tale feels more like a decent episode of 'The Twilight Zone' than, "... the most creative, head-spinning novel I've read in ages" (Justin Cronin). In fact I'd go so far as to say it's more 'Sliding Doors' than anything else (albeit with added apocalypses and murderous dopplegangers). Trite aphorisms such as, "If you go in with fear, fear is what you'll find" drag the story down even further, imho.Anyway, it's a fast read, a holiday page-turner... but nothing more.

I really enjoy books that read like you're watching a movie. This was one of those experiences. It was easy to read due to its short, snappy sentences, was really visual in its delivery, and its premise was amazingly executed. Definitely worth a read!Fifteen years ago, Jason Dessen made a choice. Now he works as a physics professor at a local college, is married to Daniela, and has a son, Charlie, who is almost fifteen. Jason loves his life - wouldn't change it - but often wonders what could have been. In another life, he might never have given up his research to have a family. He might have continued, making groundbreaking discoveries in quantum physics and realising the impossible. His wife could have been the famous artist she was on track to be. Instead, they had Charlie and made a life together. One day, Jason is kidnapped and knocked unconscious. He wakes up in a world full of this alternate possibility. Charlie doesn't exist. Daniela isn't his wife. The Jason in this world went on to make those discoveries, realise the impossible. But is he happier for it?It strikes me that there are some decisions we make our minds often come back to, and this book is that thought embodied. It was fascinating to read about someone who kind of regrets the decision they did make, only to have the alternative stare them in the face and make them wonder which would make them happier.I really enjoyed reading this but my only criticism of it is that the plot centers on two ultimate roads: have kids or have a career. Maybe I'm naive but can't you have both?

Thirty years ago a guy, Ken Grimwood, wrote a novel titled Replay. One of the finest, most involving tales I've read. Very, very similar to this but without the quantum theories....and a tad more humanity to the characters. Dark Matter however, is a bold attempt to address this genre in a bang up to speed manner. And for the most part achieves brilliance. Given the subject matter, it must have been difficult to say the least to arrive at a satisfying conclusion. But he pulls it off!! Some characterization a little sketchy nut overall a fascinating and we'll written tale.

But in a good way. Some nice existential angst thrown in around choices and meaninglessness as well as challenges to the "wanting a better life" way of living. Story reminded me a little of 'The Family Man' in parts, as well as a dash of 'Counterpart'. The ending was good but, without ruining the plot, I'd have preferred it if the reader had ended the story, right at the end, as a 'viewer/one of the others' (you have to read the book to know what I mean), it would have perhaps been more hard hitting. Not quite sure why book called Dark Matter btw.

That's the central idea at the heart of "Dark Matter": what if we had taken a different turn in life? Would our environment and life experiences have turned us into different people? And ultimately, would we be happier?It's a powerful concept and definitely something that I, like many other people, have considered at some point. It's not something we can change, but the protagonist of Dark Matter - Jason Dessen - has the ability to. A renowned particle physicist and winner of the Pavia prize, Jason has developed a way to visit alternate versions of himself in different parallel universes. He has everything he could ever want in life: success in his field, money, fame, respect... But he still doesn't feel fulfilled. A decision that he made in his twenties to leave someone who could have potentially been the love of his life has haunted him, and he's willing to do anything to see what could have happened if he'd stayed with her - even if it means ruining the life of another man. Even if that man is a different version of himself...Not only does this have a powerful central concept, but it is a very well written and fast paced book from beginning to end. Crouch deftly explores all of the different philosophical, moral and scientific problems that a story like this raises whilst also providing a very human and heart wrenching central story. Recommended for fans of thrillers, science fiction, and staying up way into the night to read "just one more chapter"