Dark MatterDark Matter
Score Modern
What it's about
Jason Dessen, a physics professor with a loving family, is knocked unconscious by a kidnapper one night. He wakes in a world where his life is completely different: he never married, never had a son, and is a celebrated scientist. Blake Crouch's thriller asks what would have happened if you had taken the other path.
Why it's worth reading
It's one of the most popular science fiction thrillers of the last decade and became an Apple TV+ series.
You'll love it if you liked
Good to know
It's fast and mind-bending. Avoid spoilers.
By the numbers
- Readers68 out of 100 · counts 42%
- Critics0 out of 100 · counts 14%
- Bestseller39 out of 100 · counts 34% (its stronger lane)
- Buzz0 out of 100 · counts 10%
Critics and Bestseller are two ways to earn a place: a book's stronger one counts more. Buzz rewards recent bestseller weeks and prizes, so older books start at zero. The parts combine into the Must-Read Score, shown on a scale where the best book we found scores 99 and the last book to make the ranking scores 50.
Where it ranks
- #120 of the 313 science fiction books we rank
- #180 of the 555 mysteries and thrillers we rank
- #679 of the 1,573 modern books we rank
- #1282 of the 2,816 books we rank
Reads as
Gripping, Adventurous
More by Blake Crouch
If you like this, read next
The Martian
Gideon the Ninth
All Systems Red
Promises in Death
Innocent in Death
CryptonomiconExplore the best-of lists
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Quick answers
Is Dark Matter worth reading?
Yes. It's one of the most popular science fiction thrillers of the last decade and became an Apple TV+ series. It ranks #1,282 of the 2,816 books in our ranking, with a Must-Read Score of 70.1 (the best book we found scores 99).
What is Dark Matter about?
Jason Dessen, a physics professor with a loving family, is knocked unconscious by a kidnapper one night. He wakes in a world where his life is completely different: he never married, never had a son, and is a celebrated scientist. Blake Crouch's thriller asks what would have happened if you had taken the other path.
How long does it take to read Dark Matter?
About 8 hours (340 pages), or about 2 weeks at 30 minutes a day.
What should I read after Dark Matter?
If you liked it, try Recursion by Blake Crouch, Upgrade by Blake Crouch or Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir.