This is the second time I’ve read this book and it is my absolute favourite novel. The slogan on the book says that it will change your life and it really can. I’ve always had a fascination with the way so much of our lives are down to chance. This book takes it to the extreme, the main character Luke Rhinehart (also the name of the author) decides to put every decision to the roll of the dice.
Published back in 1971 it’s amazing how well it transfers across into the current day. Luke Rhinehart is a psychiatrist who despite having a successful career, a group of friends, wife and two children has become disillusioned with his life. The first decision that he puts into the hands of the die is to rape the wife of his friend and colleague that lives downstairs. After that his life starts to snowball into more and more choices being made by the roll of the dice including creating a whole new therapy for his patients. It doesn’t take long for his life to begin to unravel but it seems that with each decision that is taken out of his hands he becomes more and more liberated.
It is written in an autobiographical format often switching between first and third person at whim. Definitely a book for the open minded. After reading it I guarantee you will want to put a few of your every day decisions into the hands of chance. If not your entire life…
Overall: 92%