I Think We’ve Been Here Before
by Suzy Krause
RATING: 5/5
Suzy Krause’s I Think We've Been Here Before is a gripping, thought-provoking novel that left me in tears by the end. Set against the backdrop of the holidays (though not in the traditional holiday story sense), it weaves together elements of sci-fi, romance, and mysticism to create a compelling narrative that questions the nature of life, death, and connection.
The story follows Nora, a young woman from Saskatchewan, who leaves her hometown after a breakup with her high school sweetheart. She moves to Germany to start fresh, where she meets Jacob—a man she feels a deep sense of familiarity with, despite the fact that they’ve never crossed paths before. The sense of déjà vu is overwhelming, leading Nora to wonder if there's some sort of cosmic connection between them. But Jacob has always lived in Germany, and Nora has never even left her province, making their shared sense of knowing each other all the more mysterious.
Meanwhile, Nora’s family back in Saskatchewan is grappling with their own crisis: the news that the world is going to end in a matter of months, specifically around the Christmas holidays. In Germany, Nora is left stranded with no access to money, as the global financial system collapses when workers in various industries quit their jobs. Jacob, whose own sister is stuck in Montreal, becomes an unlikely companion in this chaotic and apocalyptic world. Together, they try to navigate the madness of a society on the brink of collapse, with no clear way forward.
What stands out most in this novel is Krause’s ability to blend the fantastical and the emotional. While it deals with themes of global catastrophe and personal loss, it is also a story about connection—how we find each other, how we lose each other, and how time itself can feel both infinite and fleeting. As the world teeters on the edge, Nora and her family’s emotional journeys are just as urgent and real as the global crisis unfolding around them.
The holiday setting—though unconventional—adds an extra layer of poignancy to the story. The novel is a Christmas book in the same way Die Hard is a Christmas movie: it just happens to take place during that time of year. Yet, the timing amplifies the feelings of finality and reflection, making the emotional beats even more profound.
The pacing of the book is unrelenting, drawing you in from the very first page and holding you captive until the final moment. It is not just Nora’s journey that makes this book so compelling, but the intertwining of her family's struggles, Jacob’s backstory, and the profound philosophical questions about existence that arise in the face of impending doom.
For me, I Think We've Been Here Before was one of the best books of the year. It’s a beautiful mix of speculative fiction, emotional depth, and holiday introspection. I’ll be rereading it next year, and I have no doubt it will become a staple of my holiday season reading, gifted to friends and loved ones alike.
If you’re looking for a novel that is both deeply moving and creatively imaginative, this is one to add to your bookshelf. It’s a unique and unforgettable read.
