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A review by jefferz
Dark Matter by Blake Crouch
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
It's done purposely to avoid giving away spoilers and the core plot of this novel, but honestly the synopsis of this novel really doesn't do a good job at selling how ambitious and high-concept this sci-fi thriller novel is. Minor spoiler alert but the synopsis fails to mention the multiverse-hopping quantum mechanic physics that makes the plot far more interesting than what it says on paper.
However in retrospect I see that it was probably done this way for fear of alienating certain readers who may be off-put by a synopsis sounding big brain (it's quite easy to follow and not big brain at all). Dark Matter is for sure a definite page turner especially once things get going once Jason Dessen is kidnapped by a mysterious man and I can see this making an excellent movie/tv-drama; the plot is excellent. As a novel though, I had some minor nitpicks holding this back from a 5-star read.
What I loved about Dark Matter is its explanation and mechanics to the alternate reality/multiverse plot. Instead of just throwing in a random portal to another world or futuristic device (cue most time travel stories), Dark Matter uses an interesting interpretation of Schrodinger's Cat and quantum mechanics as a plausible catalyst for reality jumping or rather, walking. However it's explained in a very watered down manner that's easy to follow and gives just enough to serve its purpose (just enough but not much more where there's ample opportunity is a common trend). The plot is also full of surprises and the thriller sequences I found to be genuinely thrilling. The book's final sequence and conclusion goes in a direction I completely did not expect which I found to be both decisive and clever at closing up most major plot holes. Spoiler(apart from one detail I might have missed. I don't understand how Jason can enter worlds/realities where Chicago and human kind are either dead, on the verge of being dead, or Jason is not alive in. If he's not alive to discover and construct the box used to enter different worlds, how does it even exist in the first place for him to exit out of?)
Unfortunately Dark Matter is less successful with its character development and romance. A good deal of Jason's motivations hinge on returning to his wife and family and while the Crouch does a great job conveying how much they long for and love each other, it doesn't actually convey why Jason loves her so much. They met by chance many years ago and had an instant spark aha moment then fast-forwards to content yet uninspired married life. The same can be said about his love and desire to see his son Charlie. I guess I'm left to assume he loves Charlie on the merit of being his son and family and nothing else as there's almost no context.
The inclusion of Jason's psychiatrist Amanda introduces a lot of intriguing plot elements like comradery in the face of loneliness and serves as an interesting foil to Jason's ideologies. Lacking a family and a compelling reason to stay in her original world/reality, the differences in her outlook when put in a similar situation as Jason provides many differences and points of discussion but she ultimately feels underutilized or worse, a being relegated to a 3rd wheel romantic distraction. Her final appearance feels like it should've been a major turning point in the narrative but is barely given an "oh, guess she's gone" moment which feels so lackluster for such a crucial companion character. The same can also be said about Daniela's perspective and chapters that sparingly spaced out throughout Jason's adventure in the first 1/3 of the book only to be abruptly dropped soon after. They're interesting yet so brief to the point where I feel they either should've been expanded considerably or excluded instead.
Across the board it's often in the quieter moments where the writings' weaknesses are most apparent. There's a great deal of internal monologues and thoughts giving the reader glimpses into Jason's psyche, but most of it is repetitive both in content and in actual written phrases. Outside of action sequences, I found the prose to be quite average and uninspired. With character writing, for being an analytical mind and gifted scientist, Jason spends an awful lot of time freaking out and reacting in uncharacteristically volatile ways (tying to be emotional and relatable?). I also felt like the novel kept downplaying its science fiction roots for the sake mass appeal. The Schrodinger's Cat mechanic is introduced, paraphrased, then dumbed down even further in subsequent explanations. Quantum mechanic theories are covered followed by an explanation that's quite literally tossed out the window by the characters as being "overly complex and irrelevant". Much like how the fantasy romance genre caters primarily to fans of romance novels, I have a nagging suspicion that there were many conscious choices made to make this a romance story with science fiction themes instead of the other way around which is fine I guess (the author notes even confirms this). It's just a bit disappointing when the book has such a good plot that probably would've been better suited to a straight-laced science fiction thriller.
There are a lot of things Dark Matter does well in and there's certainly something in it that will appeal to almost every reader. This feel like a science fiction adventure written for readers who aren't familiar or don't like science fiction. There's drama, romance, suspense, dystopia at times even, but by trying to be some many different things it results in only scratching the surface of each included element. While I enjoyed reading Dark Matter and was impressed by its plot, I can't help but feel it was a missed opportunity and had the potential to be something akin to The Matrix or the Butterfly Effect but with a multiverse focus. And that is saying a lot considering this novel was published in 2016 and predated many more well-known and recent multiverse themed works.
However in retrospect I see that it was probably done this way for fear of alienating certain readers who may be off-put by a synopsis sounding big brain (it's quite easy to follow and not big brain at all). Dark Matter is for sure a definite page turner especially once things get going once Jason Dessen is kidnapped by a mysterious man and I can see this making an excellent movie/tv-drama; the plot is excellent. As a novel though, I had some minor nitpicks holding this back from a 5-star read.
What I loved about Dark Matter is its explanation and mechanics to the alternate reality/multiverse plot. Instead of just throwing in a random portal to another world or futuristic device (cue most time travel stories), Dark Matter uses an interesting interpretation of Schrodinger's Cat and quantum mechanics as a plausible catalyst for reality jumping or rather, walking. However it's explained in a very watered down manner that's easy to follow and gives just enough to serve its purpose (just enough but not much more where there's ample opportunity is a common trend). The plot is also full of surprises and the thriller sequences I found to be genuinely thrilling. The book's final sequence and conclusion goes in a direction I completely did not expect which I found to be both decisive and clever at closing up most major plot holes. Spoiler(apart from one detail I might have missed. I don't understand how Jason can enter worlds/realities where Chicago and human kind are either dead, on the verge of being dead, or Jason is not alive in. If he's not alive to discover and construct the box used to enter different worlds, how does it even exist in the first place for him to exit out of?)
Unfortunately Dark Matter is less successful with its character development and romance. A good deal of Jason's motivations hinge on returning to his wife and family and while the Crouch does a great job conveying how much they long for and love each other, it doesn't actually convey why Jason loves her so much. They met by chance many years ago and had an instant spark aha moment then fast-forwards to content yet uninspired married life. The same can be said about his love and desire to see his son Charlie. I guess I'm left to assume he loves Charlie on the merit of being his son and family and nothing else as there's almost no context.
The inclusion of Jason's psychiatrist Amanda introduces a lot of intriguing plot elements like comradery in the face of loneliness and serves as an interesting foil to Jason's ideologies. Lacking a family and a compelling reason to stay in her original world/reality, the differences in her outlook when put in a similar situation as Jason provides many differences and points of discussion but she ultimately feels underutilized or worse, a being relegated to a 3rd wheel romantic distraction. Her final appearance feels like it should've been a major turning point in the narrative but is barely given an "oh, guess she's gone" moment which feels so lackluster for such a crucial companion character. The same can also be said about Daniela's perspective and chapters that sparingly spaced out throughout Jason's adventure in the first 1/3 of the book only to be abruptly dropped soon after. They're interesting yet so brief to the point where I feel they either should've been expanded considerably or excluded instead.
Across the board it's often in the quieter moments where the writings' weaknesses are most apparent. There's a great deal of internal monologues and thoughts giving the reader glimpses into Jason's psyche, but most of it is repetitive both in content and in actual written phrases. Outside of action sequences, I found the prose to be quite average and uninspired. With character writing, for being an analytical mind and gifted scientist, Jason spends an awful lot of time freaking out and reacting in uncharacteristically volatile ways (tying to be emotional and relatable?). I also felt like the novel kept downplaying its science fiction roots for the sake mass appeal. The Schrodinger's Cat mechanic is introduced, paraphrased, then dumbed down even further in subsequent explanations. Quantum mechanic theories are covered followed by an explanation that's quite literally tossed out the window by the characters as being "overly complex and irrelevant". Much like how the fantasy romance genre caters primarily to fans of romance novels, I have a nagging suspicion that there were many conscious choices made to make this a romance story with science fiction themes instead of the other way around which is fine I guess (the author notes even confirms this). It's just a bit disappointing when the book has such a good plot that probably would've been better suited to a straight-laced science fiction thriller.
There are a lot of things Dark Matter does well in and there's certainly something in it that will appeal to almost every reader. This feel like a science fiction adventure written for readers who aren't familiar or don't like science fiction. There's drama, romance, suspense, dystopia at times even, but by trying to be some many different things it results in only scratching the surface of each included element. While I enjoyed reading Dark Matter and was impressed by its plot, I can't help but feel it was a missed opportunity and had the potential to be something akin to The Matrix or the Butterfly Effect but with a multiverse focus. And that is saying a lot considering this novel was published in 2016 and predated many more well-known and recent multiverse themed works.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death, Gun violence, Violence, Blood, and Medical content