What I read: Bridge by Lauren Beukes

Bridge examines the notion of parallel worlds and the outcomes of moving between them.

The main character, Bridge, is a young woman who receives a mysterious “tool” from her mother, Jo, a neuroscientist who died of a brain tumour. The “tool”, called the dreamworm, enables Bridge to travel to other realisms where she can occupy the bodies and lives of her alternate selves. Bridge hopes to find a version of her mother who is still alive and to mend their fractured relationship, but she soon discovers that the dreamworm is not a harmless, but a dangerous weapon that has drawn the attention of ruthless multiverse-travelling assassins.

The book is a fast-moving and exciting read that combines aspects of science fiction, mystery, and family drama. Beukes creates a vivid and diverse multiverse that spans several states and countries. (Here, I had some flashbacks of “Quantum Leap” – “leaping” into a body and situation where she needed all her wits about her to adapt fast).

The book also explores the topics of identity, choice, grief, and toxic family relationships, as Bridge faces her past and her future, and tries to figure out who she really is and what she really wants.

Originally when I saw the title of the book, I thought “Bridge” referred to the “channel” between different realities. As I think about it – it is an all-encompassing title as it can refer to the name of the main character, the dreamworm or the channel to separate existences.

What I enjoyed most:
• Creative, suspenseful, and original plot
• Entertaining, mind-bending and through-provoking
• Explored different possibilities and consequences in life
• Complexity and diversity in parallel worlds
• Everyone needs a “Dom” in their lives

Bridge is a captivating and imaginative book that will appeal to fans of science fiction, thrillers, speculative fiction and psychological fiction.

Lauren Beukes’ books has been on my radar for a while, and I’m thrilled to have finally read one! I participated in a #TandemReadalong with Tandem Collective, Exclusive Books and Penguin Random House SA. Reading this book, while having continuous and insightful discussions with fellow readers was a wonderful experience. Thank you! AD

About this book

Bridge by Beukes, Lauren | Penguin Random House South Africa

About the author

Lauren Beukes | Author

Check out my “Bridge” playlist/soundtrack 🙂

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