If I Had My Time Again, a Review By Susan

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If I Had My Time Again
Linda Green

Boldwood Books
336 Pages
Published March 13, 2026

Goodreads/Amazon/Bookshop.org

March 13, 2026

            The author prefaced the book with warnings that the content might be disturbing to some readers.  It was a good thing too because the cover and title sent readers mixed messages.  The cover is a beautiful shade of blue with a fluffy white cloud and a director’s chair.  While this is perfectly appropriate for what is inside, there is more than meets the eye.

            For one thing, if you are uncomfortable with the concept of death, you might have a difficult time.  I would include myself in that category, but at 64, was glad I persevered because avoiding the whole thing doesn’t make things any easier.  The concept, clearly fitting into Matt Haig’s subject and content, is that death is like a reality TV show; upon your demise, you have the opportunity to make movies about your death and the people that remain behind, but you cannot change the ending.  Three people who died are teamed up to support one another through the process, each one making their “Director’s Cut, making it how they want it to be, given the rules.  The stated purpose of this exercise is for the participants to come to grips with death, their own in particular.

            The idea of this, death as a reality show, before moving onto heaven or hell is appealing to those who have issues with the eventuality, although since this is not what I imagined as any kind of real afterlife, it is only marginally useful.  One really does have to suspend one’s beliefs whether afraid of death or not.  While I was able to, I am unresolved about the idea of reducing death to a Director’s cut in which we get to become filmmakers making the best versions of our deaths,  Along the way, the characters get essentially whatever they desire, such as their favorite foods and no hangovers after drinking too much. I have to admit, that seems appealing.

            There are other triggers besides death that the reader should be aware of, including serious illness, suicide and alcoholism.  All of these topics are handled with compassion, however.

            This was a diverting read after another heavy read even though it is not completely without heft.  The novel is sly and gives the reader much to think about, including regrets and how we should think about them before they occur, but how they will always be there; that is the nature of human beings.  In addition, it raises other themes, such as how people are more than what they seem and we should strive to make fewer assumptions.  There are layers to this book, like an onion.    There is good character development and the book is easy to follow as well.  Occasionally, the pacing was a little tedious and I think it could have benefitted from a little bit of editing.  However, all in all, I was glad I read it and will look out for other books by this author.

            Thanks to Net Galley and Boldwood Books for providing me with advanced copies of this book.  All of the opinions herein are my own.