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is in the future for him."

Apart from being slightly uncomfortable at the thought of Henry grooming a young girl for marriage, I was drawn into the book pretty much straight away. The concept behind it was totally different from anything I had read before, yet the underlying love story and the moving interaction between Henry and Claire make it real and somehow familiar. They can't prevent the things that happen and their lives roll on in a very weird way.

Their helplessness is quite sad too ~ Henry cannot control his "condition" and Claire must sit passively by and wait for his next appearance. And, all through this they are trying to hang onto some semblance of normality in their lives. They want a marriage, a home life, jobs, friends and a family ~ things that most couples take for granted, but that the DeTambles will have to really work at. Imagine how hard it would be to invite friends over if you don't know whether your husband is in the same decade as you!

I was also really impressed with Niffenegger's writing style. Her narrative is evocative and very descriptive. Her description of Claire's visit to the library is wonderful and put pictures into my head.

"..Now that I've gotten past the dark, foreboding entrance I am excited. I have a sort of Christmas-morning sense of the library as a big box full of beautiful books. The elevator is dimly lit, almost silent Chicago autumn morning light shines through the tall windows."

I almost felt that I was there! She uses her words well and really conjures up images and emotions in the text. You will find, though that there are some slightly sexy scenes ~ so this is definitely one for adults only! The language used during these scenes is a little near the knuckle, so be warned.

For a writer's first novel I was really impressed and thought it was well written and easy to follow. Although the ideas behind the novel are quite complex (time travel and the inconsistencies in the time line), the actual book is refreshingly readableif a little difficult to explain. I found myself wondering what would happen next and read it quite quickly because I wanted to see how it would all pan out.

Her style however is unorthodox at times. It jumps around alarmingly, perhaps mimicking the way Henry's life jumps around. On one page we are seeing life through Henry's eyes and we are Claire on the next. As a reader you have no control over the narrative and are as helpless as Henry and Claire are. This gave me a greater affinity with them and made me understand their frustrations a little better too.

I recommend The Time Traveler's Wife to anyone who is after a good, yet different read! I was impressedand I hope you will be too.

BOOK DETAILS.

Hardcover 224 pages (January 1, 2004)
Publisher: Jonathan Cape
ISBN: 0224071912

I borrowed my copy form the library, but the paperback is 6.99 and the hard back 12.99.

Learn more about this author, Tange.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

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