Thursday, August 21, 2008

Ode to Time Traveler's Wife

Yes, you remain my favorite book...if it's possible, I think I love this book even more than I thought I did previously when I read it a year and a half ago. I think it is positively exquisite. It's books like this that make me positive that I could never write one - the way that it's intricately put together and draws out emotions in me that I didn't know I had. Confession: I cried pretty much solid for the last 40 pages! I think it was sadder/happier the second time around, having a better understanding of the characters and knowing the ultimate ending, etc.

First off, it's NOT science fiction. Let me be very clear about that up front! My definition of SF is if it's "grounded" in reality (ie - if people teleport and it's not considered weird or abnormal, it's not SF. In this book, Clare is very much reprentative of "normal" people, and seeing the time traveling through her eyes enhances our understanding. Not SF.) :)

It's about Henry DeTamble, a time traveler and Clare Abshire, his wife. She meets him when he's in his 30's, after they're already married in the present, and Clare is a child. Henry meets Clare when Clare is in her early 20's and he's nearing 30. Are you confused? It makes sense when you read it. It's truly the most amazing love story, I am so sad that I'm done with the book, and definitely can't wait to read it again in a few months. It also really makes you think - by throwing one imagined concept - time traveling - the author really makes you ponder the reasons we do what we do...free will, causality, happiness, death... my head is still spinning with all of the beautiful and complicated things I read.

I'm really excited for our book club discussion in a few weeks. I just hope I don't cry. :)

And, another reason to get excited for Christmas this year, the movie is being released!! I think Eric Bana is a fabulous choice for Henry DeTamble, and Rachel McAdams is the perfect Clare. I just hope they can capture the essence of the book.

SO.EXCITED. for the movie. For real... I hope a trailer comes out soon!


Oh, and another movie/book opinion... I think Rob Livingston as Gomez is also a fabulous casting call. If they can write/direct a movie as well as they can cast it, might be a good representation of the book! Fingers crossed!

1 comment:

katie said...

omg, i'm so excited for the movie, and i totally cry at the end of the book, too! i am so sad that i'll be out of town for this book club discussion :( i heart TTW