Replay
by Ken Grimwood · first published 1986
75% recommend25% neutral
Why HN recommends it
A man relives his life from middle age, reflecting on happiness and what he would change. The time-loop novel offers an early, unique take that is fun to read and holds up on rereading.
Summarised by Claude from recommending comments
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?"
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Another great time travel novel is Replay by Ken Grimwood. One of the few books I've read twice. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Replay_%28Grimwood_novel%29
on “Sci-Fi Novels You Should Read” ↗Replay by Ken Grimwood. https://www.amazon.com/Replay-Ken-Grimwood/dp/068816112X It's ground hog day, but on a lifetime scale. The search for happiness and what it means to be happy.
on “Ask HN: What book have you given as a gift?” ↗I really enjoy reading books about re-living your life, I think the best two I have read are Replay by Ken Grimwood and the first fifteen lives of Harry August by Claire North, very recommended. In terms of movies also About time incidentally explored some of the same concepts.
on “The dark legacy of Carlos Castaneda (2007)” ↗…one I haven't read more than three times... "Godel Escher Bach: An eternal Golden Braid" by Douglas Hoffstadter "Zen Flesh, Zen Bones" a collection by Paul Reps "Slaughterhouse Five" Kurt Vonnegut "Replay" by Ken Grimwood "Maus I" & "Maus II" by Art Spiegleman
on “Ask HN: Which books would you highly recommend?” ↗…First 15 lives of Harry August" was absurdly good.. Her other book "Touch" isn't too bad either. The Harry August book is somewhat similar to another one that I also very much recommend. It's called "Replay", by Ken Grimwood
on “Ask HN: What is your favorite fiction book?” ↗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 “Ask HN: What were the best books you read this year?” ↗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.
on “Best Sci-Fi and Fantasy Books of the 21st Century (So Far)” ↗…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. 1. https://www.amazon.com/Replay-Ken-Grimwood/dp/068816112X
on “Ask HN: How much time do you spend reading books?” ↗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... --- Bonus: Anything by Kevin Kelly.…
on “Ask HN: Thought-Provoking Books” ↗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…
on “Ask HN: What are you reading?” ↗Replay: Ken Grimwood (Second time reading is even better)
on “Ask HN: What book are you reading right now?” ↗Check out the excellent, and recently translated, Chinese scifi novel “The Three Body Problem”. Grimwood's “Replay” is a great time travel novel if you're into that.
on “Ask HN: What is the most mind blowing book you've ever read?” ↗Replay, by Ken Grimwood. It made me look at my life and think about how I'd replay it if I could. It's about as introspective as I ever get.
on “Ask HN: What books changed the way you think about almost everything?” ↗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…
on “Ask HN: What is your favorite fiction book?” ↗Ken Grimwood's book 'Replay' [1] tackles this subject, with the story of a man who is able to relive his life and take different paths. [1] https://www.amazon.com/dp/068816112X
on “What If You Could Do It All Over?” ↗