
Daisy Nelson knew that her husband was dead. She had seen him, cold and mutilated, so he couldn't be facing her across the room. There weren't two Rob Nelsons. Or were there? Rob Nelson had no idea of what might happen when he volunteered to help his friend - renegade scientist Alexander Haig -with his bizarre experiment. But now he finds himself trying to sweet-talk his wife (who has just buried him) into believing that he is alive; convince a ruthless murderer that he is dead; and prove to himself that he is himself.
A man finds his reality fractured when he discovers his wife has already buried him, forcing him to navigate a world where his own existence is in question. Rob Nelson volunteers for a scientific experiment conducted by his associate, Alexander Haig, only to emerge into a life where he is officially deceased. He must reconcile his physical presence with the fact that his wife, Daisy, has already identified and interred his corpse. Caught between a ruthless killer and his own crumbling identity, Rob struggles to prove his survival while evading those who believe he is dead. The narrative follows his frantic attempts to reclaim his life while operating under the constraints of a reality that no longer recognizes his existence.
Readers frequently highlight the premise as a classic example of mid-century speculative suspense. Discussion often centers on the pacing of the protagonist's struggle to convince his wife of his identity while simultaneously avoiding a murderer. Critics note the focus on the psychological toll of the experiment rather than the technical details of the science itself. The book is often cited for its ability to maintain tension through the protagonist's isolation and the absurdity of his predicament. Readers appreciate the straightforward approach to the central conflict without unnecessary narrative detours.
Page Count:
237
Publication Date:
1979-01-01
Publisher:
PENGUIN PUTNAM * TRADE
ISBN-10:
0140051929
ISBN-13:
9780140051926
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