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Rewind
Rewind
By Mark Dowling
Some songs bring back memories. Others bring you all the way home.
Rewind is a funny, heartbreaking, and beautifully observed novel about love, laughter, mix tapes, and the things we carry — even when our minds can’t.
Told through the eyes of a man remembering his youth, one track at a time, this story is soaked in 80s anthems, smoky nightclubs, missed slow sets, stolen kisses, and bittersweet what-ifs. Each chapter is titled after a song — and each song unlocks a story.
But as the memories come flooding back, so does the sense that something isn’t quite right. The narrator's world blurs and loops. Time folds in on itself. The details repeat. And you begin to this isn’t just nostalgia.
It’s a quiet, powerful portrait of a man grappling with Alzheimer’s — even if he doesn’t fully realise it. But through music, he clings to who he was. Through stories, he remembers who he still is.
Witty, warm, and gut-wrenchingly real, Rewind is for anyone who’s
Loved a song so much it hurt
Lost someone before they were gone
Wondered where all the time went
This isn’t a science fiction time travel story — this is emotional time travel. Honest, raw, and often laugh-out-loud funny.
Fans Nick Hornby, David Nicholls, Roddy Doyle
Bittersweet coming-of-age stories (even if you’re long past coming of age)
Music as memory, and memory as identity
If you've ever hit “Play” on an old track and felt your chest tighten with something you couldn’t quite name — Rewind is for you.
Some songs bring back memories. Others bring you all the way home.
Rewind is a funny, heartbreaking, and beautifully observed novel about love, laughter, mix tapes, and the things we carry — even when our minds can’t.
Told through the eyes of a man remembering his youth, one track at a time, this story is soaked in 80s anthems, smoky nightclubs, missed slow sets, stolen kisses, and bittersweet what-ifs. Each chapter is titled after a song — and each song unlocks a story.
But as the memories come flooding back, so does the sense that something isn’t quite right. The narrator's world blurs and loops. Time folds in on itself. The details repeat. And you begin to this isn’t just nostalgia.
It’s a quiet, powerful portrait of a man grappling with Alzheimer’s — even if he doesn’t fully realise it. But through music, he clings to who he was. Through stories, he remembers who he still is.
Witty, warm, and gut-wrenchingly real, Rewind is for anyone who’s
Loved a song so much it hurt
Lost someone before they were gone
Wondered where all the time went
This isn’t a science fiction time travel story — this is emotional time travel. Honest, raw, and often laugh-out-loud funny.
Fans Nick Hornby, David Nicholls, Roddy Doyle
Bittersweet coming-of-age stories (even if you’re long past coming of age)
Music as memory, and memory as identity
If you've ever hit “Play” on an old track and felt your chest tighten with something you couldn’t quite name — Rewind is for you.
118 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 13, 2025
1 person is currently reading
5 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
December 7, 2025
This book is a quick read which is both light and entertaining if, like myself, you are of a certain age and remember with fondness the days of Madness, discos and Walkmans.
It is a jaunt down memory lane with some laughs and thought-provoking observations along the way. Could maybe unlock a deep-routed regret and hidden emotion...
It is also a poignant reminder of the fragility we all share and the importance of memories in shaping the person we become. And how sometimes, those memories take on a significance all of their own.
On the whole, I enjoyed reading this book but I do have to unfortunately comment on the editing, which is not good. Punctuation errors, layout, fonts and spacing, word repetition... I'm afraid they are too numerous to ignore and hence the three rating.
Having said that, if you want a quick and easy light read and can accept these, maybe for a journey or on the beach etc., then you could do a lot worse than read this.
It is a jaunt down memory lane with some laughs and thought-provoking observations along the way. Could maybe unlock a deep-routed regret and hidden emotion...
It is also a poignant reminder of the fragility we all share and the importance of memories in shaping the person we become. And how sometimes, those memories take on a significance all of their own.
On the whole, I enjoyed reading this book but I do have to unfortunately comment on the editing, which is not good. Punctuation errors, layout, fonts and spacing, word repetition... I'm afraid they are too numerous to ignore and hence the three rating.
Having said that, if you want a quick and easy light read and can accept these, maybe for a journey or on the beach etc., then you could do a lot worse than read this.
September 14, 2025
This is a very well written book. I really enjoyed reading it, although I found the last chapter quite sad.
I'd really recommend it to anyone, especially if there is a person with Alzheimer in your life.
I YouTubed all of the songs and listened to each one when reading that chapter. Wonderful memories of my childhood.
4 stars
I'd really recommend it to anyone, especially if there is a person with Alzheimer in your life.
I YouTubed all of the songs and listened to each one when reading that chapter. Wonderful memories of my childhood.
4 stars
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews