Monday, April 30, 2007

Time Traveler’s Wife

A Love that transcends time and death



Image Courtesy: amazon.com


The book I read last is ‘The Time Traveler’s Wife’ by Audrey Niffenegger. It’s a strange love story of Henry DeTamble and Clare Abshire. Henry is a victim of a strange genetic disorder called "Chromo-Impairment" which causes him to time travel. He doesn’t have any control over the time or the destination or the duration of his travels. The genetic disorder causes him to time travel spontaneously when he is stressed out or tired, physically or emotionally.


As a rule of time traveling, Henry cannot take anything with him other than his body. He lands naked and bare footed. He explains the sensation of time travel as of epilepsy and it makes him hungry. So Henry masters the arts of stealing and breaking into places necessary for his survival.


Most of Henry’s visits were to his past where he witnesses the accident which took his mother away or the visits to a museum with his parents. And on one of his travels he meets his future wife Clare Abshire. Clare is from a rich family living in a large house. She is fond of a clearing of land in the middle of the meadow where she spends her time playing. On one fine day, when Clare is in the clearing, Henry lands in front of her stark naked… Henry is 28 and Clare is 6…



Eric BanaImage Courtesy: mystuffandcrp.blogspot.com





Clare is fascinated by the stranger who gives her glimpses of her future. Henry gives her a list of dates on which he will be appearing from the future. Clare keeps this as her secret and she waits expectantly for Henry on the dates he has given. She keeps a box of clothes and shoes hidden for him under a rock in the clearing. She gets so obsessed with her strange companion that she tends to ignore boyfriends at school and spends a lot of time by her own. At her 18th birthday they part knowing that they would be meeting only after 2 years and in the present. Henry tells her he is her future husband.


After 2 years, Clare meets Henry in the future as a librarian but Henry is completely ignorant of her or their meetings in the meadow because the Henry who came to visit Clare is still in the future and the present Henry is not aware of this. But Clare is foretold by Henry about this and she patiently fills Henry with their story. For the first time, Clare is the future teller. Later the book reveals their struggle to lead a normal life and their struggle to overcome his condition.


Niffinegger Image courtesy: madamcage.com


The novel at its heart is not about the fiction or technicalities of time travel or Henry’s disorder. The core of this novel is the relationship of Henry and Clare. It circles around their life, friends, families and passion. Once you are fully engrossed in the book you can feel their joy, their pain and their desperation. The narration is on a normal pace without much twists and turns. The talent of the author lies in making an unrealistic theme like time travel in a way that seems pretty real and possible. Her writing style is simple which helps in telling a story which would have become extremely complicated to convey. She overcomes the inherent difficulties of narrating a story with numerous time swaps. To add to the complexity the story is narrated through the eyes of both Clare and Henry. But Niffenegger seamlessly rides over these difficulties with consummate ease.


Though Henry can be there in the past, he cannot change anything. And at many instances we can feel the pain in knowing it in advance and incapable of changing it. That makes it different from the usual science fiction novel. By concentrating instead on the emotional struggles of the chief characters Niffenegger brings a delightful human touch to the story.


Rachel McAdams Image Courtesy : typepad.com


Time Traveler’s wife is a thoroughly enjoyable read for all those who have romance in their hearts. It is tale of love that transcends time and death and which will move you for sure. I am even looking forward to its movie version set to star Eric Bana and Rache McAdams.

19 comments:

dmarks said...

This book seems quite popular among the bloggers, and I really need to read it. I did a blog post that discussed this a couple of weeks ago.

Rama Mohan said...

Hi thanks for comments on my blog. Your blog is great. I am linking your blog in my lifestyle-india. will be back.

Mrs. Hairy Woman said...

That sounds like a really interesting book.. I take it they made a movie from this book?

Joaquín Pineda said...

este blog es muy interesante.

salu2!!

Tynna said...

ahhh...you have already got me interested to get hold of the book myself..thank you..

银熊仔 said...

Thanks for coming.And your articles are great.I will read it when I can understand.Good night~

ilke said...

thank you for your comment biby cletus.we have our blog in our language but you can understand what we are trying to do through photos:)nice blog.thanks for supporting.

best wishes.

CyberCelt said...

Hello! That looks like a good book. You have a way with words that makes me want to read more. I am visiting for Click & Comment Monday from Advertising for Success. Thank you for your visit.

Tedj said...

And how does one get placed on your blogroll? I love Indians!

Meret said...

Gracias por tu visita a mi página.
Te leo...
Saludos.

Lisa said...

Hi, you commented on my blog, so I checked out yours. Funny that you did a review on "The time traveler's wife" since that is my most favorite novel (and I read a lot!). I have read it 4 times already. I have to admit I am curious to see the movie version!! And Claire had long red hair, so how can Rachel McAdams play her!?

Unknown said...

Hello..
Thanks for your visit.
Very interesting your blog.
I will be back.
Kisses.

hope and love said...

i have not read this book.. but i MUST read it now..!
great blog u have here..

Parisgaladriel said...

I just wrote both this book and this blog as a must read. Tks for the recommendation.
It was very nice visiting this blog.

Anonymous said...

very very touching story and interesting too
cant wait for the movie to be released
thank u for visiting my blog so nice of u what u said
yours too sounds interesting
keep the good work :-)

mariolabegain said...

best regards from las poetas mierdosas.
we will read you!

UovoallaCoque said...

Umh.. I would like to have the same genetic disorder of Henry, sometimes.

Brandon in California said...

Gee... I came here after seeing biby cletus post on my blog.... and low and behold I see a picture of Rachel McAdams. Wow! I always thought she was cute! Now she's set to be in another movie. This one based on a book involving time travel. Cool! I'll be on th lookout for the book and movie.

Tedj said...

Hey I'll be glad to link back to you tonight in my potpouri of friends section. Very very cool!

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