Unfortunately, I have to agree with the review that this feels like a baby boomer in a midlife crisis waxing philosophical about metaphysics. I got the distinct impression that the author has done his share of drugs in the 60's and this affected his writing.

It does have an interesting premise and the author delivers early in the story. But there are too many implausibilities in how the characters act. There also storylines that go nowhere (what was the serial killer about?!) And by the time Pam leaves her husband, a decent guy, and takes her kids cross country to be with Jeff, I found myself cringing at the self-centered theme - "Life is short! Personal fulfillment is all that matters!" A few pages later, Pam's kids have become so infatuated with Jeff that they are begging not to go home to visit with their father - this, of course, justifies splitting up the family for the main characters' happiness. I had hoped for Jeff to learn more about compassion and altruism by the weak ending.

Still, I'm in the minority here so I will, with reservations, recommend the book to those who like time travel. Judge for yourself.


Make time to read this book   May 4, 2001
 11 out of 11 found this review helpful

This is an indispensible book for anyone who has ever considered the possibilty of living their life over, and who hasn't? Jeff Winston, the novels middle-aged protagonist, is stuck in an unsatisfied career as a broadcast journalist with a marriage on the brink of collapse. Dying seemingly of a heart attack in 1988 he awakes back in 1963 in his old college dorm, to "replay" his life over again, with the foreknowledge of his previous life, and thus the potential to make amends for past mistakes. Yet when he reaches 1988 for the second time he again dies and has to live his life over and over.... His early replays are characterized by largely hedonistic pursuits; making unimaginable riches gambling on the sports events, sleeping with beautiful women, and driving fast cars etc. Feeling the dissatisfaction at these self serving activities, he takes on an altruistic stance in his later replays; preventing major accidents and wars, with, much to his dissmay, disasterous consequences.

The novels break-neck speed sometimes stretches the credulity of the readers imagination and it's difficult at times, to fully garner the passing of centuries squeezed into it's three hundred pages. Still that alone couldn't prevent this reader from gulping down it's contents in two mesmerized sittings, when I myself, lost all concept of time. More than just a merely satisfying read, Grimwood here explores some profound territory with regard to time and aging, foolishness and wisdom. Themes from the book, even now three weeks ago having read it, reoccur in my daily thoughts. More than any pulpy self help book, or brow-scratching french novel, this book will make the reader sit up and more fully realize the precious sanctity of this life and the precious little time we have in which to live it.


Young Again   June 15, 2005
 11 out of 14 found this review helpful

In 1988, Jeff Winston was a 43-year old radio station news director who died of a heart attack. To his amazement, he wakes up in his eighteen-year-old body in his college dorm. It is 1963 again, and Jeff is young and full of memories of the events of the next 25 years, like who won the World Series. Jeff lives a very different life the second time around, financially secure and health-conscious. However, he dies at 43 again.

And Again. And Again.

In one of his many "replays" Jeff meets Pamela Phillips, who is also repeating the years between 1963 and 1988 multiple times. Together they find love and try to change the future world they remember. Jeff and Pamela's journey to enlightenment reminds us of the joy in simple things and the beauty of life.

The concept is fascinating, but the writing seems alternately stilted or excessively descriptive of mechanical processes which do not enlighten us about the characters, merely their movements. Jeff's ambitions seem like puerile misogynist male fantasies at times, but the book kept me turning pages to find out what ultimately happens to him.

If you love the Jeff character, I think you will like JUMPER and REFLEX by Steven Gould, the adventures of a young man who discovers that he is telekinetic and what he does with this ability.



Absolutely the best "alternate reality" book ever published.   June 5, 1997
 9 out of 9 found this review helpful

This book unlike any other encourages the reader to really examine his or her life in a totally unique situation. What would you do if you got a second, third or fourth chance to live your life over. The heartbreak of losing children, wives, fortunes made and lost and ultimately of being bored with quite literally "nothing new under the sun". Even though I read this book when it was initially released in hardcover, have read it 8-10 times since, have 2 first edition copies and numerous paperback copies, I still find the concept of replaying your life one of the most fascinating and compelling ideas ever envisioned. Hardly a week goes by when I'm not thinking of this idea. This book brings home the reality of winning the "Grand Lotto", what would you do with all that wealth, and in this case a whole new life or series of lives. An outstanding read! This is the book you've looked your whole life to find


You'll want everyone to read this novel. GO BUY IT NOW!!!!!!   April 29, 2005
 9 out of 9 found this review helpful

Before you begin to read this review, let me warn you that it is going to be quite lengthy, but well worth it. First of all, if you've read most of the over 200 reviews which are posted on this site, you'll notice that 99% of them have given "Replay" five stars. That alone should tell you enough about how well received this book truly is. Many of the reviewers have reread this novel several times, as I have also. It's truly rare when you find a novel that you look forward to reading again and again. Not just because it's a good book, but it's a very entertaining, thought provoking and fun novel to read.

WARNING: This is the only caution I will give on reading this novel. Ask yourself this question, how many books have you read that you wanted to instantly go out of your way to purchase as many copies as possible of it just so you could spread the news of just how great the novel was. After you've read Ken Grimwood's "Replay" you will more than likely be moved to do so.

Ken Grimwood's World Fantasy Award Winning novel "Replay" originally published in 1987 by Ace books, is a novel you will never forget. As many other reviewers have noted, it changed their lives. It didn't change my life at all, but it will make you think about your own life and how you've lived it so far. The book will cause you to be thankful for the simple things in life and what we daily take for granted. It's not a book which deals with a religious outlook or tries to preach on another level of enlightenment, but it is a tremendous story of what you would do if you could go back in time and right a wrong, or choose another path in your life. The novel is very easy to read and hard to put down. It doesn't explain any of the circumstances with technical complexity, but it is very thought provoking and simply put, a lot of FUN to read. It truly is unforgettable.

Grimwood does a very good job of making the main character's experience, your own experience. The main character, Jeff Winston, keeps dying on the same date and keeps coming back to start his adult life again at a recurring point in his previous life's time line - with his memory of the previous experiences intact. Each life Jeff lives is different and unique, some are poignant, some are romantic and some are a living nightmare. He becomes wealthy beyond his dreams in one replay, becomes a loving and caring father in another, while being an over zealous playboy in yet another. After living several lives, he realizes the best things in life have always been available to him. There is some well placed humor throughout the book, and some very heart retching tender moments too. My only concern with the novel is there is very little mentioning of the Vietnam war throughout the book. What was very much in the news then, and still is, has become very much a part of our history. However, with Grimwood's incorporated references to the past 25 years, you barely notice that the war is not an issue in the novel. The Kennedy assassination, Apple computers, Star Wars, the Iran hostage crisis, the Tylenol scare, the space shuttle disaster are all very much a part of the story.

Once you've read this novel you'll be asking yourself, why hasn't this been made into a feature film? Many reviewers have mentioned that the Bill Murray film "Groundhog Day" played off of the novel "Replay." That's like saying the TV show "Friends" was patterned after "Gone With The Wind." Bill Murray relives the same day every day in the same place, Jeff Winston in "Replay" relives 25 years of his life several times and does it in many parts of the world. There's just not that much to compare the two stories with. So why hasn't "Replay" been made into a movie? In 2000, Warner Brothers and Revolution Studios began to start early pre-production on this film, which was to star Brad Pitt and Julia Roberts. However, the project has stalled since then. I have checked several movie source web pages (AVI) and the project is no longer on the active list with either of the two studios. Hopefully, it will move into the production stage again soon. This would be a tremendous film with low costs on special effects, if any at all. The story is so strong, I'm surprised that it wasn't completed years ago. After all, a strong well written story is the basis for every feature film. This one is a sure winner!

Unfortunately, Ken Grimwood passed away in 2003 at the young age of 59. He was working on a sequel to "Replay" when his death occurred. Ironically, he died from the same thing which killed Jeff Winston in "Replay.' A heart attack. I don't know if a sequel could've held a candle to "Replay.' After all, how do you improved upon perfection. "Replay" is still in print, but only in the shape of a trade paperback from Arbor House. Thank goodness for places like Amazon.com, where you can still purchase the mass market or trade paperback book. You may even have some luck searching for this novel at used books stores.

I cannot recommend "Replay" highly enough. Is it the best book I've ever read? I can only tell you, it is the only novel I have ever read five times and enjoyed it more each time. So if that's your standard for a best book, then I wold have to say yes in a very big way! So why not treat yourself to a wonderful story which will make you think, cry and laugh. After all, over 200 readers have experienced this joy, why not you?