Somewhere Else, Another You

by Tania De Rozario

False starts, chance encounters, careless mistakes, strokes of luck: Are we the sum of our actions, or of our possibilities?

Somewhere Else, Another You is a literary game-book inspired by theories of the multiverse: Each time the reader makes a choice, the universe of the narrative splits, creating a story in which all outcomes exist at the same time but cannot be experienced concurrently. A cross between a Pick Your Own Path novel and an existential crisis, this book invites you to meander through its paths, and towards your own conclusions.

Genres: Fiction

68 pages, Paperback

Published December 1, 2018

About the author

Tania De Rozario is a writer and visual artist. She is the author of four books. Her latest collection, Dinner on Monster Island (Harper Perennial, 2024), has been described as “sharp and searing” (Ms. Magazine), “unique” (Publishers Weekly), “a book with resonance” (Kirkus Reviews), "taut and riveting" (LA Times), "elegant", "droll" and "magnetic" (British Columbia Review).

She is also the author of Tender Delirium (2013, Math Paper Press), And The Walls Come Crumbling Down (2016, Math Paper Press / 2020, Gaudy Boy), and Somewhere Else, Another You (2018, Math Paper Press).

Tania’s writing has won the New Ohio Review Nonfiction Contest (2020) and the Muriel Craft Bailey Poetry Contest (2021), has been a finalist at the Lambda Literary Awards (2021) and has been published in journals/anthologies across four continents. Her art has been showcased in Singapore, Europe and the US. She has written widely about art, with a focus on Singapore and Southeast Asia, and has also worked as an adjunct, teaching at the UBC School of Creative Writing (Canada, 2021-2023) and across faculties at Lasalle College of the Arts (Singapore, 2006-2018).

Reviews

[Joely · Rating 4 out of 5]

De Rozario does the most tasteful job with creating a sense of mystic and wonder. She contorts your mind and heart to the happenings of every path you take in this choose-your-own-adventure. It is a short and sweet book to pore over and let resonate for at least a good afternoon. Just when you think you understand the story or the underlying ideas, the comprehension slips away, and that just might be exactly what De Rozario intends. All the paths were delectably short, which is perfect for someone easily bored like me, with a short attention span. The only thing is that's its $19SGD for a 60 page bookie, which might not seem like a good deal for some, but a good reminder is that books like Somewhere Else, Another You are stylistic by nature towards a crowd that enjoys a more indie vibe, so, perhaps, that justifies the price like how a handcrafted coffee comes at a slight premium to a mass-produced one.

[ash | songsforafuturepoet · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve been given a wonderful opportunity to review an interactive ebook of Somewhere Else, Another You by Tania De Rozario that Tusitala made.

It’s a wonderful whimsical experience of a choose your own path story about multiverse theories and alternate selves.

The second-person narrative - always a daring choice - really suits this book here as it brings you into the character’s point of view. Combined with the interactive nature of the ebook - and a wonderful job was done with the sounds (earphones highly recommended) and actual interaction such as tapping on parts of the screen - I felt so immersed and invested into the story.

For fans of books with resolutions, a heads up: this book is more about the journey than the destination. I do wish the scifi could be explored - I got so excited when something ~strange~ happened but it wasn’t a huge part of the story.

If you are interested in literature, do give Tusitala’s website a visit. They have really creative projects and they are passionate about reimagining the reading experience.

[Ying · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun short read. Well written.

[Stella Wenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

"How would you live if you knew that somewhere else, another you might be living the best possible version of yourself? And if our other selves live on in other worlds, do we remain forever entangled despite distance and time, separated by a tiny choice the size of an entire universe? Do we dream of the selves we left behind, struggling to get up in the morning because waking is always some sort of loss?"

4.5 stars
The kind of book that I'm always looking for. Existential crisis and quantum physics parallel universe wrapped in 'pick your own path'? Yes. A thousand yes.

[Aya Prita · Rating 4 out of 5]

I met this book as a gift from the team of the independent bookstore. She said that we both shared similar preference so I have to try this one out and guess what: I'm in love. The premise with choice to proceed the story, the quantum and stuff is mesmerizing. Even the word choice are super poetic.

I really love the "You" poem.
Overall, pretty quick-read but I'm in love.

[Li Mun · Rating 5 out of 5]

very magical , she was able to compile so much lessons into a small book , it doesn’t take a lot of time to read it.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love how the format was chosen for an experience of quantum physics. Would have liked slightly longer stories!

[DustyReader · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting read. Light reading with deep quotes to reflect on.