Book Review: The Once and Future Me by Melissa Pace

Book Review: The Once and Future Me by Melissa Pace

4/5 stars. At times, early in this story, I wondered at the ideas and whether the historical fiction was written solely to be commentary on the evils of mid-20th Century psychiatric practices. As the story developed, I began to wonder if the events we were witnessing were actually happening or if they were only constructed in the main character's head. The author does an excellent job of keeping the reader wondering and on the edge of their seat as the action unfolds. This story was wonderfully paced and well-written with fascinating questions the author raises throughout the book. First about the unfortunate mental health practices we have overcome in humanity's past; then later, whether the direction we now seem to be going in other aspects of government and technology are similar in nature to those formerly poor choices. 

As I mention, the author synthesizes the seemingly different ideas into a common thread by considering how the past and the potential future intertwine to bring us to a place of either destruction or transcendence. Which direction we choose will determine the success or failure of the modern world and begs the question of which is the correct path to pursue? I enjoyed the first person perspective in this story, as we experience the events as they happen to, and through the mind of, the main character. We get a sense of her desperation both in the past and in the present timelines. The main character is a true hero whether she succeeds in fulfilling her mission or not, simply by trying to save humanity in one giant leaping effort. 

I have continued to think about this story since I read it in the late summer and I continue to discover new thoughts related to its importance to sci-fi literature today. I believe this is a debut novel for this author, but it is far from a typical first attempt. Highly recommended!