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Do-Over: A What-If Short Story by David T. Wolf
What if you woke up one morning and discovered that you were your preteen self, but with all your present memories intact? What if this alternate science-fiction universe gave you the chance to undo the many things you regretted? To act on those opportunities you missed? What tragedies would you act to prevent? Given the chance, what would you change about your life--and the world?
23 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 28, 2013
2 people are currently reading
3 people want to read
About the author
David T. Wolf
21 books23 followersLike most writers, I live two lives. My outer life is filled with friends and family and my work as an ad man. My award-winning TV, radio and print ads have amused millions of people and helped sell tons of cleaning products, coffee, macadamia nuts and other goodies. My inner life is devoted to strange and wonderful characters driven to desperate or preposterous acts. Some of my short stories are starting to appear on the Amazon site. My first published novel, Mindclone, is a near-future look at the amusing and serious consequences of brain-uploading. It's garnered mostly five star reviews. The sequel is percolating in my brain even now. Stay tuned.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
February 21, 2025
Would you do it all over again if you could? If you kept your memory intact the second time around, what would you re-do? Would you deliberately change major life altering events? Would you date the same women, the same girls? Would you maintain the same friendships, have the same children, invest differently in the market?
Despite the short stature of this story, “Do-Over” packs many years and many thought-provoking topics into its fold. From memorable world events like AIDS and the death of John Lennon, to a chipped tooth and an accident that changed his brother’s trajectory, author David Wolf weaves us into Ricky’s second chance at life. Beginning in a dream, readers are abruptly dropped into twelve-year-old Ricky’s do over.
Wolf has this way of perpetually drawing readers into his thoughtful and creative stories. Through his short story, “Do-Over” Wolf leaves us wondering what we’d do differently, as the what-ifs take hold. Ending in stunning fashion, this one catches you off guard before it all goes dark. Whether holding Wolf’s book in your hands or listening to it through your earbuds, “Do-Over” leaves you thinking about the reverberating consequences long after the final page.
Spanning the years, the different paths taken, and the various events altered, I’m still utterly shocked days later by the conclusion of Wolf’s short story, “Do-Over.” Whether you know the answer to the questions asked or wonder about your own decisions made over the course of your life, you’ll be left shaken by the story laid out within.
Despite the short stature of this story, “Do-Over” packs many years and many thought-provoking topics into its fold. From memorable world events like AIDS and the death of John Lennon, to a chipped tooth and an accident that changed his brother’s trajectory, author David Wolf weaves us into Ricky’s second chance at life. Beginning in a dream, readers are abruptly dropped into twelve-year-old Ricky’s do over.
Wolf has this way of perpetually drawing readers into his thoughtful and creative stories. Through his short story, “Do-Over” Wolf leaves us wondering what we’d do differently, as the what-ifs take hold. Ending in stunning fashion, this one catches you off guard before it all goes dark. Whether holding Wolf’s book in your hands or listening to it through your earbuds, “Do-Over” leaves you thinking about the reverberating consequences long after the final page.
Spanning the years, the different paths taken, and the various events altered, I’m still utterly shocked days later by the conclusion of Wolf’s short story, “Do-Over.” Whether you know the answer to the questions asked or wonder about your own decisions made over the course of your life, you’ll be left shaken by the story laid out within.
June 16, 2023
Among the stories about getting a second chance to do your life—becoming young again—this is one of the good ones. Rick, middle-aged, wakes up to find that he is twelve years old again. Can you imagine this? What things would you do differently? Luckily, Rick remembers things and can make wise decisions.
Rick recalls issues from the 1970s through the first part of the 2000s. He runs into some widely known people and changes not only his own life but that of those who can affect others. He can’t change everything, but what he does have power over brings food for thought, sometimes with a bit of amusement.
The story rolls out in an entertaining way while inspiring readers to think about their own lives. Some things are pleasantly surprising, but others are just…surprising. For example, he marries the same woman, but when his children are born, the unexpected causes Rick to really ponder the situation.
This is a short story written by a talented author that many are sure to enjoy. The author’s voice is just right, and the tale can probably be read in one sitting.
Rick recalls issues from the 1970s through the first part of the 2000s. He runs into some widely known people and changes not only his own life but that of those who can affect others. He can’t change everything, but what he does have power over brings food for thought, sometimes with a bit of amusement.
The story rolls out in an entertaining way while inspiring readers to think about their own lives. Some things are pleasantly surprising, but others are just…surprising. For example, he marries the same woman, but when his children are born, the unexpected causes Rick to really ponder the situation.
This is a short story written by a talented author that many are sure to enjoy. The author’s voice is just right, and the tale can probably be read in one sitting.
December 31, 2020
( Format : Audiobook )
"The opportunity of a lifetime."
A sweet short story told by Ricky, who, awakening from a dream finds himself back in his twelves years old self but still with his future memorjes. The early school day sections are gold, the latter history altering attempts seem less likely, but are fun idas, anyway. Good ending.
And good narration by Clifton Sutterfield, whose reading is brisk, warm and well modulated and delivered with an enthusiastic timeless voice perfect for this short (50 minutes) story.
My thanks to the rights holder of Do-over, who offered this book as a complimentary download via Audiobooks Unleashed to anyone requesting it.
Great cover.
"The opportunity of a lifetime."
A sweet short story told by Ricky, who, awakening from a dream finds himself back in his twelves years old self but still with his future memorjes. The early school day sections are gold, the latter history altering attempts seem less likely, but are fun idas, anyway. Good ending.
And good narration by Clifton Sutterfield, whose reading is brisk, warm and well modulated and delivered with an enthusiastic timeless voice perfect for this short (50 minutes) story.
My thanks to the rights holder of Do-over, who offered this book as a complimentary download via Audiobooks Unleashed to anyone requesting it.
Great cover.
October 6, 2024
I enjoyed this story quite a bit. It has an interesting premise that always intrigues me. Time travel is my favorite subgenre in science fiction. Do Over isn't exactly a time travel story but it is close enough for me. Returning to the past with knowledge of the future is classic, going back to "A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court".
This story is easy to read and the parallel time frames cause interesting situations for the main character.
5 stars for me!
This story is easy to read and the parallel time frames cause interesting situations for the main character.
5 stars for me!
Currently reading
August 22, 2019When I click on book icon its not open up the book.how should I open the book?
November 23, 2015
An interesting “what if” story about alternate reality, with a surprise twist ending.
Unusual in that it is told in second person, present tense.
There are some passages in the story that seem unlikely or unrealistic, but the ending seems to explain the discrepancies. For example, if I had awakened from a dream, however long and complex, I would remember what day it was. Further along in Ricky’s life, events should be more divergent than they were in the story. And “I would have been perfectly happy with something smaller” does not sound like something a woman would say.
Unusual in that it is told in second person, present tense.
There are some passages in the story that seem unlikely or unrealistic, but the ending seems to explain the discrepancies. For example, if I had awakened from a dream, however long and complex, I would remember what day it was. Further along in Ricky’s life, events should be more divergent than they were in the story. And “I would have been perfectly happy with something smaller” does not sound like something a woman would say.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews