How Many Physics Professors Does It Take To Screw Up One Life?
Quick Thoughts:
Despite hearing the name tossed about among my more literary friends for years, Dark Matter was my first Blake Crouch novel. I went into with somewhat high expectations, having heard the rave reviews and knowing that Crouch is popular enough to have had several adaptations of his work made, including Wayward Pines, Good Behavior and the aforementioned Dark Matter. Knowing that, I think my opinion on this book is a little skewed. I went into it expecting mind-bending Sci-Fi of the highest caliber, something that would really leave me pondering for days on end. What I got was a well written, well plotted science fiction adventure that was very interesting, but did leave me wanting more. Without going into spoilers, I can safely say that the central plot device was a fascinating concept with so many possibilities that I felt was ultimately under explored. While Crouch touches on some really interesting questions and crafts an emotional, fulfilling ending, if you’re the type of reader who loves exploring the weird and wild limits that Sci-Fi can take you to, you might be left a little underwhelmed. Despite this, I do recommend this twisty, action packed and surprisingly touching story to anyone who loves a good science fiction story.
Full Review, with spoilers:
Let’s put our best foot forward and start with the books greatest strength, it’s focus on the central relationships and characters. What Crouch does in this story so well is craft believable, affecting dynamics between his characters. Jason is a multifaceted character who has realistic feeling ambitions, regrets and is extremely relatable to the reader. He is a bundle of conflicting impulses and desires and beliefs that feels all too real. His relationships then, are all the better for it. With his connection with wife being one of the central focus points of the book, it had to carry the lions share of the stories emotional impact. Luckily, Crouch pulls this off in spectacular fashion.
Daniela is a fantastic character, at once infused with emotional depth and capable of standing on her own feet, fully fleshed out with her own jumble of internal complexity to mirror her husband. Her and Jason’s stories are complimentary in the best way. I wouldn’t hesitate to say that what Crouch pulls off with these two is among some of the best Sci-Fi relationship building I’ve seen in some time. Similarly, despite not being given as much focus, Jason’s relationship with his son Charlie has a considerable weight to it. It feels real and earned, with more than enough nuance to be believable. Even side characters feel whole and unique to the story, not cardboard cutouts meant to fill a role. Jason’s interactions with each are gripping and pull you further into the story every time. Ultimately, this is drives the novel forward and give it sense of urgency.
Which brings us to the crux of my one major criticism. Dark Matter is not a science fiction book per se. Rather, it is a love story and a thriller covered in a Sci-Fi blanket to give it a cool shape. Crouch is less concerned with exploring the ramification of the cutting edge technology he’s embedded in the middle of this story than he is its impact on his central character personally. While this works, and it certainly sets the stage for an emotional third act and resolution, it does not fully scratch that itch that many of my fellow genre fans are probably familiar with. In fact, it leaves one with a profound sense of wanting more. Seeing a near-future Sci-Fi book take a premise like the one proposed in Dark Matter and use it as timidly as Crouch does is, at times, frustrating.
Personally, I was waiting with bated breath for most of the novel for the big turn. Apocalypses are great and all, but its all fairly par for the course for long time fans of the genre like myself. I was constantly expecting the oh shit moment that would expose just how crazy the possibilities of this technology truly are. I thought we were going to get it after the scene with the severely injured Jason in the infinite corridor. Then I thought we were going to get it after the chatroom discovery. I thought we might get it near the end, with the crowd of Jason’s. Beyond that, I thought we might see the third act reemergence of Amanda, either severely changed by her solo experiences or some doppelgänger with ill intent. Or perhaps we might be treated to the misadventures of some other characters and told of how the creation of the box had affected their lives. Ultimately, for a book that repeatedly and emphatically expounds on the infinite possibilities of the multiverse, Dark Matter is a book that plays it fairly close to the chest in that regard. It chooses to focus on the relationships of the central character and his personal journey through regret, evolution, and acceptance. And for me, that was enough to make this a recommendation worthy book, even if I was left wishing for one more act after they open the final door.
