As part of coping with what’s been a rough year, I’ve been rereading long-ass do-over stories from my Favorites list:
A New Past by Charlie Foxtrot - I found myself skimming the long chapters of vacations filled with extended sex but was otherwise engrossed again. I still don’t understand why the “Epilogue” isn’t part of the main tale, as the story’s not complete without it and it’s not like including it makes the thing significantly more long-ass.
A Fresh Start by rjlf - This has the best examination of the science-fictional aspects of a do-over premise I’ve seen. While plot-driven, this drives towards a character-based dilemma in a really effective way and NAILS the ending. It’s also pretty darn fun.
Building a Better Past by tendertouch - For most of the story, it’s an amiable but apparently standard do-over tale. Then comes the twist that puts everything in a new perspective. I like that. I like that a lot.
Paul’s Redemption by novascriptus - The focus here is on using the do-over to become a better person. Paul succeeds, despite being a successful white male in 1950s America. I like that a lot (despite having to read about the 1950s to get it).
Rewind by Don Lockwood - Unfinished, but the penultimate chapter works as an end of an episode, so you can reach a satisfying conclusion if you skip the last one. Or go ahead and get a preview of where things might be going next. The story’s focus is the psychic clash of previous and present existence, with a sidelight on the ethics of changing the timestream. I like both of those things.