The other work is a novel called "Replay" by Ken Grimwood. The
protagonist hits age 45, has a heart attack and dies, then wakes up at
age 18 with all his memories intact. He relives his life, making
certain changes along the way, hits 45, heart attack... and wakes up
back at 18 again. And over, and over... the catch is that each time he
"replays," he wakes up older than the last time around. At first, the
increment is small, but the increment itself grows with each replay.
There's all sorts of interesting things about whether or not history can
be changed in a substantial way, etc. as well as a really human story.
A really, really cool book, even if it isn't Joyce or Pynchon. ;-)
ciao,
jb