There are so few things in our existence we can count on to give us the sense of permanence, of the ground beneath our feet. People fail us. Our bodies fail us. We fail ourselves. He’s experienced all of that. But what do you cling to, moment to moment, if memories can simply change. What, then, is real? And if the answer is nothing, where does that leave us?

False Memory Syndrome–a mysterious medical condition where you are absolutely sure you have memories of another life lived.

Or is it?

It’s a crazy story, dealing with memory, loss, the choices that shape who we are, death, and–eventually–the very nature of reality itself.

Yes, that escalated quickly. So did the story.

It’s a crazy story and it’s fascinating to see how the stakes just keep escalating. And how while some people are trying to do the right thing, there will always be someone willing to do the worst.

I think the only real negatives I have are:

• This is oddly similar to Dark Matter. It goes in completely different direction, but for having read only two of Blake Crouch’s books so far, it’s weird they both deal with similar themes.

• I’m not thrilled with how the ending works out. I suppose it’s entirely possible we just didn’t know all the rules of the driving technology, but it does seem like the ending is a little convenient. It doesn’t really weaken the story and I don’t know how I would have done it better, but I think this could have been different.

Overall, if that’s the worst I can say, it was still well worth the read. Onward!

He has wondered lately if that’s all living really is—one long goodbye to those we love.