I decided to use the summary on the back cover for this review because it makes far more sense than anything I was able to come up with. The Time Traveler's Wife* has a very complicated story line, and that's one of the reasons I enjoyed it. I really liked the way the story was split between Henry and Clare's point of view. Once I fell into the rhythm of it, it was easy to follow, and it allows the reader to see things a little more clearly. However, there was one instance where things got so complicated that I still haven't been able to figure it out. I've read over the wedding a couple of times, yet I still haven't figured out what was going on.

There was only thing that caused me any major annoyance in this book and, it only lasted for about a page. Claire is having trouble conceiving, and one night Henry brings up the subject of adoption. Claire immediately shoots that option down, saying, "But that would be fake. It would be pretending." It really irritates me when people view adoption this way. It IS possible to love an adopted child just as much as your own biological children.

One thing in this novel that had me laughing every time I thought about it was Henry being a librarian. He definitely tore down the stereotype of librarians being older and boring. Think of what it could be like to work with a guy who's young, handsome, and is occasionally found running through the stacks naked. Of course, he only does that because he carries nothing but his body when he time travels, but you wouldn't know that! That would be completely awkward.

Another specific thing I enjoyed in this novel was the bit of scientific explanation of time travel we are shown. In the few time travel novels I have read, most of the time the reader is supposed to completely suspend belief. In this novel, however, Niffenegger at least shows a possibility of why it could happen. And after all, is anything completely impossible?

Overall, I found this novel to be a pretty good read. It didn't wow me as it did some, but I did enjoy it very much. I'm very excited to see this book's screen adaptation. For those of you who have seen it, did it do this book justice?

*Amazon Affiliate Link

Posted by Melanie at 8:00 AM    

Labels: Audrey Niffenegger, book review, The Time Traveler's Wife