
Flashback
A provocative dystopian thriller set in a future that seems scarily possible, FLASHBACK proves why Dan Simmons is one of our most exciting and versatile writers. The United States is near total collapse. But 87% of the population doesn't care: they're addicted to flashback, a drug that allows its users to re-experience the best moments of their lives. After ex-detective Nick Bottom's wife died in a car accident, he went under the flash to be with her; he's lost his job, his teenage son, and his livelihood as a result. Nick may be a lost soul but he's still a good cop, so he is hired to investigate the murder of a top governmental advisor's son. This flashback-addict becomes the one man who may be able to change the course of an entire nation turning away from the future to live in the past.
Reviews

Casie Blevins@casiepaws
This was a right wing nightmare of a novel. Well written but eye rollingly obnoxiously preachy. Written in 2011, it 'predicts' every horrible thing that might happen from good social government programs. Every character gets their preachy moment expounding on the evils of progressivism. I had heard good things about Dan Simmons. Apparently, this only applies to projects prior to this novel. It's a shame because he truly is a good writer. Too bad he is drowning in ill informed bad right wing politics. It took a long time to read this novel. I had to wade through it and I'm glad it's over.

casey@edgerunner

Cindy Lieberman@chicindy

Raymie Smith@raymie