Recursion
by Blake Crouch · first published 2019
80% recommend20% neutral
Why HN recommends it
Fast-paced, high-concept science fiction about false memory syndrome and a reality that keeps shifting. It is a fun, easy read and a wild ride for fans of sci-fi thrillers.
Summarised by Claude from recommending comments
Memory makes reality. That’s what New York City cop Barry Sutton is learning as he investigates the devastating phenomenon the media has dubbed False Memory Syndrome—a mysterious affliction that drives its victims mad with memories of a life they never lived. That's what neuroscientist Helena Smith believes. It’s why she’s dedicated her life to creating a technology that will let us preserve our most precious memories. If she succeeds, anyone will be able to re-experience a first kiss, the birth of a child, the final moment with a dying parent. As Barry searches for the truth, he
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…call this fantasy, but I don't think the distinction is meaningful in this case. It's about someone who gets stuck in a strange world that's sort of The Library of Babel meets The School of Athens. * Recursion by Blake Crouch. False memory syndrome (e.g. The Mandela Effect) becomes a global existential crisis. All Blake Crouch books are incredibly fast page turners with fun SF ideas: Dark Matter, Wayward Pines,…
on “Ask HN: Best SciFi books in last 5 years” ↗…professor, but a celebrated genius who has achieved something remarkable. Something impossible. https://www.amazon.com/dp/1101904224/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_HY... Another good one from the same author - Recursion: A Novel https://www.amazon.com/dp/1524759783/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_G0...
on “Ask HN: Mind bending books to read and never be the same as before?” ↗My fav sci-fi books are: Ubik by Philip K Dick Dark Matter by Blake Crouch Recursion by Blake Crouch Highly recommended
on “Permutation City (1994)” ↗I consider Recursion by Blake Crouch to be similar, even though I liked Antimemetics much better. I haven't read Crouch's other books, but have heard that Dark Matter is better than Recursion, though it may be less similar…
on “MMAcevedo aka Lena by qntm” ↗…Bancroft, Josiah, https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35959733-arm-of-the-sphi... - The Hod King (The Books of Babel, #3) by Bancroft, Josiah, https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/32998292-the-hod-king - Recursion by Crouch, Blake, https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/42046112-recursion - Foundryside (Founders, #1) by Bennett, Robert Jackson, https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/37173847-foundryside - The Three-Body…
on “Ask HN: Best books you've read in 2019?” ↗Fiction I discovered and read Blake Crouch this year - Dark Matter - Recursion - Upgrade - Pines I also discovered and read - Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir - Gravity by Tess Gerritsen - A Man by, At the End of the Matinee Keiichiro Hirano It's between Recursion and Project…
on “Ask HN: What is the best thing you read in 2022?” ↗…amazing, the writing style, humor and the whole story line is a must-read for sci-fi fans The "Silo" series by Hugh Howey is excellent, I read it after watching the TV series from Amazon, and no regrets. "Recursion" and "Dark Matter" by Blake Crouch is also really great
on “Ask HN: Books you read in 2023 and recommend for 2024” ↗…scared by the runtime - you won't want it to end. Other authors I happen to enjoy very much include David Mitchell (Thousand Autumns or Bone Clocks FTW), Cory Doctorow (Makers, Walkaway), Blake Crouch (Recursion), Daniel Suarez (Influx, Delta-V, Daemon), Robin Sloan (Sourdough, Mr. Penumbra's 24-hour Bookstore). Just to wrap up and repeat what has no doubt been said elsewhere in the thread, fiction in particular…
on “Ask HN: Are books worth it?” ↗…these: - Upgrade by Blake Crouch - Biography of the Pixel by Alvy Ray Smith Like Project Hail Mary, Upgrade is the kind of book I really wanted back when I was a michael crichton fan. His last book, Recursion was really my favorite. I love books that secretly teach you a thing or two and celebrate science and engineering. Biography of the Pixel was a fascinating history of computer graphics and fundamental…
on “Ask HN: What are some of the best books you have read in 2022?” ↗I did Recursion, Upgrade and Dark Matter by Blake Crouch and they were all really fun easy reads. Highly recommended.
on “Ask HN: What is the best thing you read in 2024?” ↗Recursion by Blake Crouch! Biggest mindf* of the 2010's, hands down.
on “Ask HN: Are books worth it?” ↗Recursion, Blake Crouch was an amazing ride.
on “Ask HN: What is the best thing you read in 2022?” ↗This reminds me of the book Recursion by Blake Crouch. In the book, scientists figure out how to use memories to time travel. Interesting concept.
on “A single memory is stored across many connected brain regions” ↗> It describes most Blake Crouch and Peter Clines novels. I vaguely recall liking Dark Matter. I've still got Recursion on a shelf around here somewhere waiting to be read. Still haven't read any Peter Clines. Now I'm not sure I want to. :-)
on “Book Review: There Is No Antimemetics Division” ↗"Recursion", Blake Crouch: That’s what New York City cop Barry Sutton is learning as he investigates the devastating phenomenon the media has dubbed False Memory Syndrome-a mysterious affliction that drives its…
on “Ask HN: What are you reading during the lockdown?” ↗