On a score of 1-5 stars (5 being the best), how do you rate The Time Traveler's Wife?
* Couldn't stand it!
3%
[ 1 ]
**
3%
[ 1 ]
***
6%
[ 2 ]
****
23%
[ 7 ]
***** Loved it!
56%
[ 17 ]
Gave up on it (explain why below)
0%
[ 0 ]
Didn't read this one
6%
[ 2 ]
Total Votes : 30
Author
Message
sirg1006 Administrator
Joined: 22 Jul 2006 Posts: 2142 Birthday: 10th June
Location: Scottish Borders
Posted: Sun Apr 01, 2007 4:29 pm Post subject: April Book Choice - The Time Traveler's Wife
The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger
Discuss here your thoughts on the book once you have finished reading it. Did you (not) enjoy it? Anything that struck you or maybe someone else could answer if you have a question? We're not really looking for in depth discussions... just tell us what you think of it!
For those who have finished it, please choose a star rating for the book based on how much you liked it. What did you think of it? Do you have any questions based on the book?
Joined: 22 Aug 2006 Posts: 381 Birthday: 16th February
Location: Upper Largo, Fife
Posted: Sun Apr 01, 2007 4:54 pm Post subject:
I read this last year before my first final exam (the day before the first exam I was finishing this instead of studying - but hey I got an upper second class so its all good ).
First of all I was surprised that
Spoiler:
he actually travelled in time. I thought he would have some neurological problem that made him regress mentally or something but, no, genuine time travel here people and not a tardis in sight.
Looking at my book journal entry from then I had it summed up as
a very romantic, sad and moving story that dealt with love and loss in an original way. I thought that Henry and Claire each spent some time waiting on the other. And I wonder, if Henry hadn't told Claire they would meet and get married would she have dated other people?? Maybe she would have ended up with someone else altogether. Or perhaps I'm missing something.
The saddest thing in the whole world is Henry's death and the fact that he knew it was coming. Henry also has to live his past over and over again which must have been a real pain. Also sad is the fact that Claire is waiting for Henry even after he dies but maybe the fact that she sees him again is a happy thing.
I would have liked to know what happened to Alba - if she had been cured, if she had wanted to be cured etc.
So I gave this one 4 stars. It was a really good read and so not what I expected. Definately one I'd recommend. _________________ Currently reading: Man in the Dark by Paul Auster
Last edited by nicnic on Sun Apr 01, 2007 4:56 pm; edited 2 times in total
I also read this last year and loved it, really didn't want it to end. I have it on my swap list at the moment so if anyone wants a swap or just wants to borrow it let me know!!
Joined: 29 Jul 2006 Posts: 4137 Birthday: 12th December
Location: Cumbria
Posted: Mon Apr 02, 2007 1:47 pm Post subject:
I read this sometime ago and can't remember many of the details but as people print reviews it will come back to me. I enjoyed the book but didn't love it enough to read again at the moment when I have so many books to read. But I'll be interested to read what other people think. It was certainly a different angle on the boy meets girl, boy loses girl story.
I read this a couple of months ago, and thought I'd enjoy it. But I didn't, I really liked the characters, but felt that there was something missing in the story for me. _________________ Currently reading On Beauty by Zadie Smith
Joined: 01 Oct 2006 Posts: 192 Birthday: 12th July
Location: N.Ireland
Posted: Wed Apr 04, 2007 11:47 am Post subject:
I read this last year and loved it too, the middle part was a bit hard going, but well worth persevering!!! _________________
Currently Reading:-
"Amy's Honeymoon"- Julia Llwelleyn
I read this on holiday last year and couldn't put it down. It is so different to anything I had read before. I hear they are making it into a film. I hope they don't destroy it's magic.
Joined: 22 Jul 2006 Posts: 7637 Birthday: 7th July
Location: Shropshire
Posted: Wed Apr 04, 2007 3:20 pm Post subject:
I agree with Nicnic that it's a very moving story
Spoiler:
it's so sad when Henry knows at what age he's going to die. And I filled up when Alba rushed over to him during her school trip - seeing her father after his death. Imagine how emotional those meetings must have been for Alba and Clare.
I remember spending most of my time staring into space, getting my head round dates and the concept of time travel, than actually reading the book
What I want to know is, even after his death, will Henry keep reliving the events where he met himself, ad infinitum? It made sense that they'd happen twice, but would his younger self go on to grow up then meet his younger self again...over and over and over? In a way, would it be as if a part of him hasn't died?
I hope that makes sense!
I thought the ending was so perfect and moving. Imagine losing your spouse whilst you're both young, then living years and years knowing you'll meet them again (and they having no idea they've been dead for many years).
These concepts really blew me away. A totally innovative and well structured story.
I cannot begin to imagine how the condition must have been for Alba. It would make a fascinating follow up, to find out how she fared. At least she had her father to teach her tricks of survival. She would have been so vulnerable turning up somewhere totally naked and disorientated. I'd dread to think what could happen to her. Unless of course the doctors treating Henry found a way to manage the condition so that Alba was in control of it, rather than it controlling her.
Fasinating stuff
_________________ Reading: Miss Smilla's Feeling for Snow by Peter Hoeg
Reading Challenge 2009: 8
2008: 4
2007: 10
I read this back in mid 2005 for our reading group so it's not absolutely fresh in my mind, but has stayed with me better than many books.
I remember that opinions across our group (of 12) were very divided - some loved it, some just couldn't get on with the idea of time travel at all. I have to say I absolutely loved it - yes, you have to totally suspend your disbelief and just go with it, but the characters totally grabbed me and I got completely absorbed in the complexities of the love story, so much so i did cry at the end. All in all I thought it was a really satisfying read, and one I might well re-read one day (a rarity for me!) _________________ Currently reading: The Good Husband of Zebra Drive - Alexander McCall Smith
Joined: 22 Aug 2006 Posts: 381 Birthday: 16th February
Location: Upper Largo, Fife
Posted: Wed Apr 04, 2007 6:09 pm Post subject:
ShropshireBlue wrote:
What I want to know is, even after his death, will Henry keep reliving the events where he met himself, ad infinitum? It made sense that they'd happen twice, but would his younger self go on to grow up then meet his younger self again...over and over and over? In a way, would it be as if a part of him hasn't died?
I hope that makes sense!
[/spoiler]
Yeah it makes sense - I kind of though this too, especially as they meet again after he dies but I think maybe the time travelling is making my brain stupid _________________ Currently reading: Man in the Dark by Paul Auster
I read this last week on holiday. Reviews I had seen previously, and my sister, had told me that it was difficult to get into. However, I was hooked right from the start. I was thoroughly compelled by the dual narrative and was not distracted by the chronological shifts. Some parts made me cry - even though I was sitting in a public lounge with other travellers close by!
Joined: 22 Jul 2006 Posts: 2142 Birthday: 10th June
Location: Scottish Borders
Posted: Thu Apr 12, 2007 2:15 pm Post subject:
Just got this today from Anne Marie from RISI mobile library. Only just read the prologue but liking it already Need to read fast as got another coming
Can't wait to start this. Just starting one from the RISI mobile library, then I can start this! _________________ Swap List: http://tinyurl.com/33pg6r
Currently Reading "Switchcraft" by Lowri Turner
Joined: 22 Jul 2006 Posts: 2142 Birthday: 10th June
Location: Scottish Borders
Posted: Sat Apr 14, 2007 6:45 pm Post subject:
I really loved this!
Can't remember what I was going to say though
Spoiler:
Oh yeah... one part that I did find unbeliveable was the fact that so many people find out that Henry can time travel and even Ingrid after their relationship not exactly being the best of terms I can't believe no one sold the story to the papers of the mysterious disappearing man. Ingrid later on before she shot herself asked what her life was like in the future and by the sounds of it she didn't live in a nice place so could have exploited the situation.
Kendrick said he was going to use a grant to conduct research but I doubt it would have stayed top secret and Alba at the museum even said to her teacher that Henry time travelled like she did and it just seemed like an everyday occurance in life? Wouldn't anyone else have found it strange?
And the fact that they end up winning the lottery so Clare can buy her studio and nothing really gets said about that? Would that not be in the papers or friends congratulating you?
I didn't find it hard to get into - really enjoyed it right from the start and I was thinking questions like can he visit the future which was then answered later.
It was emotional but there were little discriptions that made funny everyday scenes like him ending up under the bed when they're staying at her parents and really felt for Clare when she was having the miscarriages (2nd one was a bit descriptive even for a few paras!). And I knew she was going to have a child but then after he had the vasectomy and she lost another just didn't know how she was going to have one.
Posted: Tue Apr 17, 2007 10:28 pm Post subject: Time Traveller's Wife - WHAT A READ XXX
I AM SO HOLDING OUT FOR A TIME TRAVELLER! What a gorgeous, romantic story. Maybe it's my age but I love the thought of a time traveller watching me with love and waiting for the right moment. It took me ages to found somebody else to read this book so that I could talk to them about it!
My Auntie ( a fellow avid reader) only reads on the bus to work so couldn't find time to get into it, my daughter ( another avid reader but VERY pregnant) just couldn't find the involvement time, my daughter in law (yet another reader) - just too busy.
Finally saw someone reading it in the park - long chat and mutual appreciation.
WHAT A READ. I LOVED IT! INTELLECTUALLY CHALLENGING AND CLEVER.
Posted: Thu Apr 19, 2007 9:31 am Post subject: Re: Time Traveller's Wife - WHAT A READ XXX
wonkynana wrote:
Finally saw someone reading it in the park - long chat and mutual appreciation.
Brilliant! I would love to do that! I don't often see strangers reading except on holiday as I drive to work now but I think if I was on a bus or train I might approach someone.
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Born 30/12/08
- but hey I got an upper second class so its all good 
).
and the fact that he knew it was coming. Henry also has to live his past over and over again which must have been a real pain. Also sad is the fact that Claire is waiting for Henry even after he dies but maybe the fact that she sees him again is a happy thing.
Need to read fast as got another coming 
