What the hell did I just read…in such an amazing way. If there ever were a book that could make you question the very fabric of reality and the choices that have shaped your life, it would be Blake Crouch‘s Dark Matter. This novel is not just a science fiction thriller; it’s an exploration into the paths not taken and a contemplation of what truly makes us happy.
“Are you happy with your life?” Those are the last words Jason Dessen hears before the kidnapper knocks him unconscious. Before he awakens to find himself strapped to a gurney, surrounded by strangers in hazmat suits. Before a man he’s never met smiles down at him and says, “Welcome back, my friend.”
In this world he’s woken up to, Jason’s life is not the one he knows. His wife is not his wife. His son was never born. And Jason is not an ordinary college professor but a celebrated genius who has achieved something remarkable. Something impossible. Is it this life or the other that’s the dream? And even if the home he remembers is real, how will Jason make it back to the family he loves?
As one who tends to shy away from straight science fiction novels, aside from a few here and there, what Blake Crouch was able to accomplish with Dark Matter may have me rethinking my choices when it comes to those sci-fi novels. Crouch seamlessly blends high-concept sci-fi with psychological thriller in a way I didn’t think was possible. The author’s writing style is engaging and accessible with enough scientific explanation to satisfy sci-fi readers while remaining clear enough to follow along without feeling overwhelmed. This made it easier for me, not to mention the thriller aspect.
While the over premise of Dark Matter is the pull for most readers, the character development throughout the novel plays a pivotal role in anchoring this extraordinary tale within emotional truths. Jason’s deep love for his wife Daniela and their son Charlie serves as his compass in navigating places unknown. Despite Jason facing impossible situations along his journey, his unwavering commitment to his family humanizes him amid scientific wonders and terrifying uncertainties. This adds so many layers to what could otherwise be a purely speculative fiction novel.
Crouch masterfully constructs tension by leading us to wonder if it’s even possible for him to return to his home. Each paragraph and chapter builds upon the previous with twists and turns until reaching the climatic moments filled with such action and emotion it became more and more difficult to put the book down.
Dark Matter by Blake Crouch is by far one of the best novels I have ever read. As someone who typically shies away from science fiction, this book offered a narrative rich with thrilling suspense, heart-pounding action, and existential musings that made it more than just a sci-fi novel. What Crouch does with Dark Matter is simply fantastic and one for the ages.
Dark Matter is available at bookstores everywhere. The audiobook, narrated by Jon Lindstrom, is available at Libro.fm!
Dark Matter Adapted for TV
Dark Matter was adapted for streaming which premiered on Apple TV+ on May 8, 2024 starring Joel Edgerton as Jason; Jennifer Connelly as Daniela; Alice Braga as Amanda Lucas; Oakes Fegley as Charlie Dessen; Jimmi Simpson as Ryan Holder; and Dayo Okeniyi as Leighton Vance. The first season was nine episodes and is show run by the author Blake Crouch. Dark Matter was renewed for a second season in August 2024.
