“Some early hypertext studies believed that recurrence - returning to a writing space more than once - was a sign of inefficient structure or a symptom of disorientation. This was plausible, but turns out to be wrong. Recurrence is the main way that people perceive a hypertext structure, the way they learn what contours they may follow and how those contours may change as the document evolves.”

- Mark Bernstein, Recurrence is Not a Vice (1998)

One of the characteristics that separate a hypertext from a book is the recurrence that can occur in a hypertext. Once deemed as “a sign of inefficient structure or a symptom of disorientation,”today, the argument has changed and recurrence is an obvious characteristic of hypertext that readers must accept. However, the manner in which recurrence is understood and faced still differs between readers.

The concept of recurrence is unfamiliar in daily life because it is rarely found in a book or in any other narrative form such as TV or film. Readers are unable to return to a certain point in their lives and try a different route and it is just as difficult to do so in a book or film. It is highly related to hypertext alone and is a new concept that readers must confront. Most narratives try to imitate reality as close as possible but the concept of recurrence conflicts with ability to do so. This is why it is met with a mixture of reactions. However, the entire nature of hypertext steps away from reality and therefore, it is unsurprising to see the feature of recurrence in hypertexts.

Recurrence is a characteristic of hypertexts that can rarely be ignored or abandoned. As the reader has power to choose the paths that they take in a hypertext, there is always the possibility that they will return to a previously viewed page. Any reader of hypertext will be aware of the experience. However, the reactions of readers will differ. Readers with an adventurous nature may find the recurrence unnecessary and time-wasting. They may simply want to get on with the story. On the other hand, other readers, more sensitive to how the story unravels, may find peace in the recurrence of pages and the knowing that they can start over.