The Bootstrap Paradox

A retired thief puts his criminal past behind him to start a new life renovating houses. Everything goes according to plan until, while fixing up an old weathered townhouse in Detroit, he discovers something hidden for half a century—a secret waiting within the walls. But as he gradually unravels the mystery, he soon realizes that he is not only in a battle for his life and sanity, but also for the very nature of existence itself.

“The Bootstrap Paradox” starts with a firm foot in the reality of home renovation in Detroit; nails, drills and paint, but it’s not long until further remodeling requires a real talent for survival and a knack for swinging a bloody ax.
 
I loved this tale although I’m not sure I understood how it worked all the time. It starts with a deceptively ordinary description of the main character, Fredrick, and his young assistant, Sam, preparing to renovate a long uninhabited house (think jungle-like garden, damp walls and dodgy wiring). In the process they discover a door which has been boarded up and plastered over, and behind the door a tunnel leading downwards. There is, however, apparently no space for the tunnel within the wall or on its other side.
 
 Using pleasingly innocuous  and non-technical means (such as dropping a heavy wrench attached to a piece of string down the tunnel) Fredrick establishes that there is a gravitational anomaly within the chute and that therefore it must be a portal of some kind to another world. He and Sam venture down the tunnel and from then on we are in a maze of parallel worlds and time loops, with doppelgangers, gravity wells and a vicious and almost indestructible bug which burrows inside the victim and begins to grow immediately, leading to lethal consequences for the host.
 
The structure of the novel worked well, the world-building was clear and the tale was reasonably plausible, given that it entails time anomalies and parallel worlds. I did doubt that anyone finding a potential portal to another world would instantly think only of merchandising it rather than finding an expert to check it out for safety –  but different times, different attitudes. The dialogue was sharp and frequently funny and the characterisation convincing. Fredrick was a likeable protagonist, resilient, brave and inventive, and well contrasted with his simple young assistant, whose reactions were entirely credible. I did find the almost instantaneous conversion from vengeful villain to willing accomplice of one of the characters unlikely, although strong doses of greed do usually explain irrational responses to danger.
 
The contrast between the narrator’s everyday approach to life and to the twisted worlds he is trapped in, plus the considerable ingenuity he displays in extricating himself from the different situations, all add to the fun. I didn’t always follow the science behind the various scenarios but so graphic were the descriptions and so suspenseful and occasionally gut-wrenching was the action that my lack of comprehension became irrelevant.
 
In short, none of my caveats impaired my enjoyment of the novel and I highly recommend it to keen science fiction readers.
— Jennifer Hill

****

The Bootstrap Paradox is a thrilling science fiction, adventure, and horror story that will leave readers on the edge of their seats. From the moment the mystery begins, you are drawn into a world of distorted dimensions and timelines that will keep you guessing until the very end.

Joe Orange has crafted an original and imaginative tale that explores the depths of time travel and its consequences. The writing is sharp and precise, creating a vivid and immersive universe that is terrifying and fascinating.

At the heart of the story is Frank, a hard-boiled ex-thief with a film noir sensibility that adds a layer of intrigue and complexity to the plot. With each turn of the page, you can’t help but be pulled deeper into his journey as he uncovers the truth behind the anomalies that threaten to consume him.

What makes The Bootstrap Paradox truly unique is its unpredictable ending. Just when you think you have everything figured out, Orange throws in a twist that leaves you questioning everything you thought you knew. This is not a book to be missed by fans of science fiction or anyone looking for a gripping and suspenseful read.

Overall, I highly recommend The Bootstrap Paradox to anyone seeking an exciting and original story that pushes the boundaries of the genre. Joe Orange is a talented writer with a bright future, and I eagerly await his next release.

 

— Zoe D.