Replay by Ken Grimwood (1988)

[pokerfan]

Awesome read. Standard time travel stuff, but elevated by Grimwood's deft imagery.

[gateley]

1. I read this when it came out - and it's one of my favorite books.

I went on to read others by him, but this was the best. I think Ground Hog Day was based on this.

I recommend it, too! :hi:

[pokerfan]

2. Dang that was a quick response

I'm convinced that Harold Ramis rather shamelessly (and blatantly given the time frame) lifted the idea for Groundhog Day from Grimwood, though with enough changes so that he wouldn't have to share any of the proceeds. The TV movie 12:01 did the same. But, to be fair, time travel is fairly common SF/Fantasy theme: Mark Twain, H.G. Welles, etc. etc.

I have no idea how I missed this when it first came out except that it's not my favorite genre. I actually discovered it through reading some comments on Groundhog Day on IMDB.

[gateley]

3. I'm not sure how I picked it up -- not my favorite genre either.

But I think it is different from most time travel storylines, in that the character kept reliving it. It was a first for me, anyway.

[pokerfan]

4. That's true

and that aspect is the main reason why I think that Ramis stole from was inspired by Grimwood. :)

Not really a fast read as Grimwood intentionally disorients the reader at times. Certain passages demand careful reading. While not a fast read, I found it impossible to put down and I finished it two days.

[Dr. Strange]

5. If it ever happened to me...

I would tell Lucas not to screw up the first three episodes of Star Wars.

[pokerfan]

6. LOL

One of the protagonist's predictions/memories is that Spielberg will make a blockbuster called Raiders and follow it with a lousy sequel.

[raccoon]

7. Interesting read I found it. Made me wonder what I would do in similar circumstances. nt

[Dr. Strange]

8. That's what I like about it.

The main character is just an ordinary guy. I love fiction (particularly science fiction) that involves ordinary people put in extraordinary situations.

[Lionel Mandrake]

10. I'd plagiarize and probably get a Nobel Prize I didn't deserve.

For a theorist, this would be incredibly easy, just knowing some of the scientific breakthroughs of the late 20th C. An experimentalist would have to work a little harder.

[pokerfan]

12. And then you'd die and start all over in 1963

That game would get old quick.

[Lionel Mandrake]

13. Well yes, there is that problem.

But that's life. Enjoy it while you can. Nothing lasts forever.

[Dr. Strange]

14. And losing his daughter.

That would be the devastating thing.

[Lionel Mandrake]

9. One thing about the plot of this book puzzles me. *spoilers*

The protagonist was unable to prevent the assassination of JFK and concluded that either no major historical change was possible or else Oswald hadn't acted alone. In a later replay, our hero and his girlfriend went public and did cause major historical changes. Are we to conclude that JFK was the victim of a vast conspiracy? The author never makes this clear.

[pokerfan]

11. Obviously change was possible

they were about to start WWIII in one timeline. Vast historical changes.

Obviously, in the author's universe, Oswald didn't act alone. How vast the conspiracy was, who knows?

[RobertDevereaux]

15. One of my faves too, and winner...

...of the World Fantasy Award for Best Novel the year it came out.

[codjh9]

16. I've recommended or loaned that book to several people, and they ALL loved it.