The Once and Future Me by Melissa Pace is a haunting and thought-provoking novel that follows a woman named Dorothy, who finds herself on a bus headed to Hancover State Psychiatric Hospital with no memory of who she is, how she got there, or why she’s being sent. As the story unfolds, we follow Dorothy’s journey of self-discovery as she tries to untangle whether she’s truly Bix, a girl from the future, or Dorothy, a woman from the past.
What I loved most about this novel was the psychological tension — the constant push and pull between the past and the present, and the uncertainty of what’s real and what might just be in Dorothy’s mind. Melissa Pace does an incredible job portraying this internal battle, keeping readers questioning right alongside the main character.
The setting inside the psychiatric hospital was vivid and unsettling, filled with memorable side characters — from the strict doctors and eerie nurses to the other patients who each bring a different layer to Dorothy’s story. The 1950s backdrop added another powerful dimension, reflecting a time when women’s voices were often silenced and mental health care was misunderstood. I appreciated how the novel subtly explored female empowerment within that context, showing how societal expectations and controlling husbands often led women to be institutionalized for reasons that had little to do with actual illness.
I also enjoyed the contrast between the historical and futuristic timelines — the glimpses into what life was like in Dorothy’s possible “future” self added intrigue and depth to the story. I don’t want to give away spoilers, but I will say the ending left me with a lot to think about. It’s one of those conclusions that feels both complete and incomplete — satisfying in one way, but open enough for a possible sequel.
Speaking of controlling husbands, Paul, Dorothy’s husband, always felt suspicious to me. There was something off about him from the beginning — the way he constantly tried to keep Dorothy under control and make her question her own reality. His behavior perfectly captured the manipulative and oppressive dynamics many women faced during that era, and it made me question his true intentions throughout the book.
While the pacing felt a bit slow at first, it definitely picked up as the mystery deepened. I also have to mention that I really liked Worthy, the police officer — his storyline added warmth and complexity, and I was genuinely sad about how it all ended.
Overall, The Once and Future Me is a fascinating, well-written novel with a unique premise and strong psychological elements. I’d give it 3.5 stars — a slow burn that ultimately pays off with emotion, mystery, and a powerful look at identity, memory, and the roles women were forced to play in society.
