A dazzling novel in the most untraditional fashion, this is the remarkable story of Henry DeTamble, a dashing, adventuresome librarian who travels involuntarily through time, and Clare Abshire, an artist whose life takes a natural sequential course. Henry and Clare's passionate love affair endures across a sea of time and captures the two lovers in an impossibly romantic trap, and it is Audrey Niffenegger's cinematic storytelling that makes the novel's unconventional chronology so vibrantly triumphant.
An enchanting debut and a spellbinding tale of fate and belief in the bonds of love, The Time Traveler's Wife is destined to captivate readers for years to come.
An enthralling tale...Not typically "Sci-Fi" and anything but "Boring"! I find myself disagreeing with many of the previously posted negative reviews. I really thought she did a wonderful job of pulling the ideas together. In the beginning I was a bit skeptical because of how the time traveling element made everything jump around so. It was a complicated dynamic...(I cant fathom trying to write a book like this) but she really did a great job with it.
I thought this book was written in a refreshing way. The story was very touching. And it really got me thinking about possible metaphoric relationships between this fiction novel and real world ideas. Henry, the time traveling husband, is often absent from the present life of the couple. Could he have really been a soldier? Henry incurs health complications due to his time traveling gift which is referred to frequently in the story as a "chrono-imparment." I found myself looking at that aspect as possibly one of the ailments or diseases that have, in the past few decades, become all too common. While, I dont find myself usually the one who would be attracted to a story that many of you are terming "Sci-fi." I was able to draw many of the more fictional elements into something real.
The story also encompasses alot in the way of friends, family, and relationships which are anything but "Sci-fi." This book has been a great place for me to escape to during my reading. I would say it's anything but boring. If keeping track of the decade mobile story plot was too much for many of you reviewers offering the label "Boring"...I suggest you seek something on a lower reading level. And for those of you seeking a griping, inspiring love story out of time; this one's for you!
Totally riveted! I save my 5-stars for books I truly love and this is one of them! I couldn't put it down (which is hard to do w/two kids under 5!) - thanks for such a great escape - I was completely engrossed from start to finish.
A real surprise... I usually prefer historical fiction. This book really surprised me. I was not sure I would like it. But, I was soon hooked. I liked the back and forth narraration between the two main characters and understanding their varying viewpoints. I was crying by the end because there were many twists and turns that I did not expect. Suspense was great. The author let you figure things out on your own but had you guessing about certain events. I did not like some of the language and I felt one event (hard to say w/o giving away too much but had to do with a stange sexual encounter in the main character's teen years) was repulsive...and yet... what would we do in this character's shoes being placed in the same circumstances? Interesting. There were a few "sappy" sentences throughout such as "then we laughed and danced under the trees" that sounded so cheesy & contrived. Overall, the book has an unusual premise that I really thought would be difficult to believe but this author really pulls it off. This book will remain a favorite for me. I spent days after finishing it going through all the events in my mind and I really could not quit thinking about it. Loved it.
Be patient - is worth the wait I had heard great things about this book. However, I struggled a bit as I began reading. The concept of time traveling can be a bit confusing. (I heard this comment from several people who have also read the book) After 60 pages or so, you begin to accept Henry's ability to time travel and really get involved with the story. I think that Claire's entries provide some insight/clarification on Henry's time traveling.
It really is a wonderful love story. The connection between Claire & Henry is one of a kind. Their bond is captivating and engrossing. You just want to keep reading.
As a Chicago native, I found the local references to add to the story. Niffeneggers descriptions of the city and the surrounding areas are vivid and accurate.
Overall a great read. I highly recommend. It's well worth the wait.
His body goes places and times he has no control over where or when. "The Time Traveler's Wife"
So many stories are based on the life and experiences of the author, as this story is, in a roundabout way, is, but, oddly enough, it is not the focus of the story. It is refreshing to read such an unusual story. The author is a paper maker and sculptor, as is the wife in this story. The really interesting part is the husband is a time traveler. His body goes places and times he has no control over, though he does seem to end up in places that are, eventually, familiar and comfortable to him. Top start reading the story, you need to realize that it will jump around from places to people to times. It takes a bit to realize that the chapter headings are a guide to where and when the chapter is happening. The characters are folks you would like to share a beer with. They are normal and nice and neighborly. It is a sad story, but, hey, life is essentially sad: people live, people die, it happens and you go on. The fun is in the love the husband and wife have for each other. I am lucky to be so in love (like Tom Hanks said, "I won the lottery.") as well, so I can relate. In the end you realize there is a lot that the author did write in or chose to leave out, it would have been extraneous. There was a lot of joy and sadness, but you enjoyed reading about it all.
Anything Goes Trivia
Trevor
Megaton Man
