My rating: 3 of 5 stars to Audrey Niffenegger‘s novel, The Time Traveler’s Wife, published in 2003 and later made into a movie. This one is a hard book for me to rate. There was so many great things in it, but there was also a lot that made me step away and think about how it all happened…
Overview
A young couple are constantly ravaged by the husband’s ability to move between time periods, but rarely in a controlled way. They are stuck in a haphazard relationship, never knowing when he may just disappear for months at a time. As a result, readers put the pieces of their love story together chapter by chapter… knowing the conclusion to some things before you find out how it happened.
What I Liked
1. The entire concept of moving around throughout someone’s life, not knowing what time period it is until a few things happen. This created a lot of suspense and drama, which for the most part worked significantly well; however, on a few occasions, it pushed me over the limit of confusion.
2. It’s a heart-breaking tale of what happens to a young couple who very much want to be together, in love and share a lifetime of orderly memories. Note, I said, orderly memories.
3. The images created are quite wonderful. With words being the tool to convey the emotion of something none of us have ever been through, it’s especially important to have strong visuals. This was successful on most occasions. And when it wasn’t, I didn’t dislike it; just wasn’t anything special.
4. It was unique… hardly ever, if ever, done before, in such a way or manner. The author should be praised for it.
What I Didn’t Like
1. The concept was too complicated. I kept stopping to think if the author built the scene correctly. I naturally doubted it, assumed there was a mistake in the time sequence. Maybe that says more about me being a Doubter than it does about the book… OK, maybe I should stop here on this item.
2. Some of the passages were included purely for humor, and the effects on other people of his time travel were a bit too much. I’m good with someone getting beat up, or some silly naked embarrassment… but it felt too contrived and one-sided.
3. I wasn’t happy with the ending… and that’s all I say.
Final Thoughts
You really should read it and then watch the movie. It’s a different way of handling the story, so that’s why I suggest both. Ultimately, it’s the kind of book where you think you love it, but then things start falling apart in your mind about the gaps and the confusion… and you feel like you had part of a story, not the whole thing. But this is one you need to check out for yourself. Just go in knowing it’s not a brilliant and perfect piece of literature. Still a good story, and possibly a bit higher than a 3 on my scale, but I’m sticking with the rating.
About Me
For those new to me or my reviews… here’s the scoop: I read A LOT. I write A LOT. And now I blog A LOT. First the book review goes on Goodreads, and then I send it on over to my WordPress blog at https://thisismytruthnow.com, where you’ll also find TV & Film reviews, the revealing and introspective 365 Daily Challenge and lots of blogging about places I’ve visited all over the world. And you can find all my social media profiles to get the details on the who/what/when/where and my pictures. Leave a comment and let me know what you think. Vote in the poll and ratings. Thanks for stopping by. Note: All written content is my original creation and copyrighted to me, but the graphics and images were linked from other sites and belong to them. Many thanks to their original creators.
This is not my mind if book.
Understandable. It was a bit haphazard at times… I’m adding a whole bunch of reviews for things I read the last few years but never caught up with… will be lots of mystery and cozies coming soon too.
This is a favorite book of mine! I definitely can understand about the ending though! I have to be honest and admit that I have never watched the film. I do not know why, but no desire. Maybe I should make an effort?
I’m usually of the mind it’s good to watch the movie after reading something to see how it changes your mind. Or if you disagree with how it was cast or produced. I usually end up still liking the book more.
On this one, I’m not sure the actors were the right ones… so I’m iffy on it. I don’t think you’d believe it lives up to the book tho.
I believe the chosen cast was one of the reasons I have stayed away from the film, so it is funny you mention that!
ha! similar mindsets
BTW, thank you for the re-tweets and likes on Twitter! I need to get there often to do that.
You are so welcome! Enjoying the blog 🙂
For some reason, this one really appeals to me. What was the element of dissatisfaction with the ending? ALWAYS enjoy the blog, especially the 365 day challenge. Keep up the great work!
Thank you, Rae! As for the ending… it was mostly the time-jumping and not fully understanding how/when they had a moment of closure. Especially when there was a daughter involved. And understanding what really happened with the rest of Claire’s life. It felt too one-sided in that respect.
Gotcha’. I’ll probably still read it ,and unfortunately that may not be any time soon, but recently I read for the first time Memoirs of a Geisha and although I met people who couldn’t believe I hadn’t read it, that didn’t diminish my enjoyment of it. This book, TTTW, may end up in the same category. I guess we could call them, “our own little classics.” Ha!