I have to admit to coming to this book after becoming a fan of the TV series - and was so surprised that the series had kept very little apart from one character name and the general premise. In fact, this was a completely different story.

It's an intriguing thought - suddenly everyone on the planet blacks out. There's worldwide disasters and chaos, but when the dust settles, everyone realises that they had some sort of vision of the future while they were unconscious. The story then follows a group of scientists who believe they are responsible, but aren't sure why, trying to come to terms with the guilt as well as what their visions means.

I can't make up my mind whether the science discussions make this a hard SF novel, or whether the social commentary gives it a softer slant - I guess it falls somewhere between the two. It definitely gives you food for thought - would a brief, two minute glance at your future life change how you live now? And could you change the future enough so that your vision no longer applies? Lloyd's opinion that you can't did annoy me a lot - plus his weird hang up with not getting married because it might fail - really turned me off his character. Conversely, I quite liked Theo, and his search to prevent his own murder. In fact, the ending of his story arch was the best part of the book, with some proper thrilling action sequences.

Overall, I enjoyed the read, despite it being quite wordy. The ending is kind depressing for the future of the human race, but it was reasonably apt

Sent to a fellow bookcrosser who has this on their wishlist - hope you enjoy it.

Thanks so much for this surprise dark-darco, I admit I also didn't know about the book until I'd seen the TV show at which point I added it to my wish list. Thanks for sending, I've added it to my TBR and I'll add it to my reading list.

P.S. I've moved address fortunately I get on quite well with the owner of my old house and he dropped it off for me.

I started reading it this morning, already enjoying it. Thanks dark-darco 👍

A good sci-fi novel, probably would have been a better read if I’d read it in 1999 when it was first published as so many things have changed since then in the real world. I read it after enjoying the TV show but this is totally different apart from the original concept (also understandable due there being 10 years between publication of the novel and the creation of the show).

I like the concept of the novel being that of everyone seeing a glimpse of their future and what actions they took to either try and prevent that future or because of that glimpse taking steps to make it a reality.

This was going to be a bookray but there wasn't as much interested as first thought. Passed to KT-J to read before finding a new reader.

Thanks Stubee, look forward to seeing how this compares to the tv show!

Caught back to release.

Sending on to Ythan, hope you enjoy this.

Arrived safe and sound.

Thanks very much.

I really enjoyed this and will definitely read more of this author in future. Got a bit lost at times with all the science but I kept up with it as best I could.

I can't remember much about the TV series but will definitely go back and watch it again and do a comparison. I do remember enjoying it first time round but I don't remember what happenes to specific characters.

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I'll see if I can find a new home for this soon.
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Hi Vinya, this is a RABCK so there is no rush to read it. However, if you could pass it on to Nadezda, that would be great, thanks. I originally offered it to Nadezda but she was on holiday and by the time she replied to my PM, I had already posted it to you.

Off on its travels to Finland.

4.8.2022:

The book is here. Thanks! I will pass it to Nadezda next.

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16.1.2023:

Unfortunately I didn’t like it almost at all. I also wanted to read this because I saw the tv-series years ago, and even though I don’t remember much about it, I expected more fast-paced book. I think it was a mess. I didn’t know what I was reading: theories of physics, thriller or a love story. I struggled with both the theories and the language. I think I understood everything I needed but it didn’t help. I thought both Lloyd and Theo were quite annoying.

What I did like were the funny predictions Sawyer made of the future, like how Donald Trump is building a pyramid in the Nevada desert and how George Lucas never finished the nine-part Star Wars saga.

Even though I didn’t like it much, I still appreciate that I got the chance to read this since I wanted to do so so many years. Thanks, Ythan! :)

I sent the book to Nadezda today.

Thank you for the wish list book!