Source: Review copy from Tinder Press. Thanks to Caitln for sending me an ARC
I very much enjoyed Benjamin’s debut The Immortalists which had a clever conceit at its heart in that the four protagonists of the Gold family all know the date when they will die. It was well done, so of course I wanted to read her next novel which moves into SF while retaining a family drama at its core, despite it being 499 pages! And, with an endorsement – ‘Perfect for fans of The Time Traveller’s Wife‘ how could I resist?
As the novel begins, Laurel, a biologist, is running away. She takes a job as a support worker (actually a dishwasher!) at McMurdo research base in Antarctica as far away as possible from her former life as can be. Given that McMurdo is effectively snowed in for half the year, those that remain behind during the winter season form a close-knit community – Laurel is determined to stay on. She may be there as a dishwasher, but as a trained scientist, she’s fascinated by the work that’s going on, including exploring the phenomenon known as the ‘dome’ that’s a short distance away from the base. Weekly lectures open to all on the base are a must-see for her. But imagine her surprise when a team of physicists arrive, including her ex-husband Eli . . .
Interspersed between episodes of Laurel’s life in the novel’s present at McMurdo, are those of her growing up on her family apple farm, and how she met and married Eli. They were happy together until tragedy befell them.
Eli had had a theory about parallel universes, but was reluctant to share it with colleagues for fear of getting laughed out of court, however, Laurel remembers it. When he turns up at McMurdo, they manage to get along – there is obviously love still there underneath. Laurel is convinced that his theory might be proven under the dome – that there could be a portal there to another universe where they could possibly relive their lives without the tragedy that had happened before. With the help of her friend, they plan a secret trip out to dive in the water under the dome.
The rest of the novel tells what happens then. I can’t spoil it for you, but Benjamin takes a big parallel universe idea and follows it through all the way. But can they ever be happy in another world?
To be honest, the second half gets rather baggy, as Benjamin is determined to detail all the ways in which Laurel and Eli’s lives change – in great detail. While it’s fascinating and generally believable, if you’re able to accept the premise, there are, however, moments where it is hard to imagine how what happens could happen! I’m being deliberately vague – sorry – but I can’t say more. There were some fascinating thoughts though involving ageing and senescence, and parallels with childhood. As in the TTW, there were plenty of moving moments along the way, and the science bits aren’t overwhelming at all.
I would have preferred this novel to be a chunk shorter, but can’t deny that it was still a page-turner and I was fully invested in finding out how things panned out, even though I preferred the first section set in the Antarctic. I liked the cover too – which captures Eli’s theory rather well (once you know what it is!).
Chloe Benjamin – Under Story – Tinder Press, 2026, 512 pages. BUY at Amazon UK or Waterstones via my affiliate links.