I recently finished reading The Man Who Saw Seconds by Alexander Boldizar, and I must say, it has had quite an impact on me. As someone who is drawn to science fiction that pushes the boundaries of thought and raises philosophical questions, I was intrigued by the premise of a protagonist who can see five seconds into the future. The book has already been recognized as the winner of the 2025 Locus Award for best science fiction novel of 2024, and that made me even more excited to dive into its pages.
From the outset, I was captivated by Preble Jefferson’s journey. After a fateful encounter on a New York subway that spirals out of control, Preble discovers the darker side of his ability. This twist of fate sets off a chain reaction, drawing the attention of government agencies, and what follows is a relentless pursuit that deftly examines the interplay between individual agency and systemic forces. This momentum kept me turning pages late into the night.
Among the positive aspects of the book, I found the initial setup and action-packed storyline to be particularly compelling. Much like Paul J. Dibartolo expressed in his review, Boldizar delves into the theme of precognition with a unique lens, making it a thought-provoking exploration of morality and human choices. The clever incorporation of action and philosophy truly stands out. Additionally, I can wholeheartedly agree with K.C. Finn’s observation that the narrative is propulsive, often leaving readers breathless and eager for more.
However, it wasn’t all smooth sailing. One criticism I’ve encountered relates to the writing style, which varied throughout the narrative. While some readers, like Roger M. Baron, described the storyline as bold and credible, others found the prose to be a bit clunky and even inconsistent at times. I must admit, there were moments when the dialogue felt uneven, distracting from the rich ideas being presented. T. Thompson’s review resonated with me on this point, as I found myself grappling with the pacing and character development. Indeed, while the plot was engaging, some characters felt underdeveloped, making it difficult to connect fully with their motivations.
Boldizar’s ability to interweave action with philosophical inquiry is undoubtedly commendable. He asks readers to contemplate time, free will, and the ramifications of every decision we make—a point that I felt throughout the book. Yet, there were instances where the exposition became overwhelming, causing me to pause and question whether the information was necessary for the plot. As Live and Let Live mentioned, the ideas were compelling, but the execution could be clunky at times, and I occasionally wished for a more streamlined prose.
That said, the absorbing narrative and unique premise overshadowed these flaws more often than not. The tension between Preble and the government as he tries to protect his family felt extremely relevant, especially considering the prevailing themes of individual versus system in our current socio-political climate. The fast-paced action is reminiscent of both an adrenaline-pumping thriller and a deeply thoughtful narrative, which makes it a fascinating read overall.
For those enamored with science fiction that challenges the mind while delivering a steady pulse of excitement, The Man Who Saw Seconds hits the mark, even with its quirks. I found myself constantly questioning what would happen next, making it hard to set aside. Overall, I would rate this book a solid 4 stars out of 5. It engages with thoughts on reality in a way that’s both entertaining and reflective, even if it loses some momentum in character development and style along the journey.
I wholeheartedly recommend this book to fans of science fiction who seek something fresh, yet thought-provoking. While it may not be perfect, the complexity of the ideas and the urgency of the plot made it an engaging and enjoyable experience. You won’t want to miss out!