PDA

View Full Version : The Time Traveler's Wife



mmaria
09-30-2008, 03:43 PM
"The Time Traveler's Wife" by Audrey Niffengger
A very interesting subject about time travel, based on the main character's ability to suddenly find himself in any time, future or past, but without his own free will. In that way he gets to know his future wife as a man in his forties when going back to the past when she is in her teenage period of life. The book "grabbed" me so much, that I could not leave it for a second, until I read the whole story. The only thing that I did not like very much is its style of telling the story: very emotionless and monotonous. But, nevertheless, I really enjoyed reading it, as I haven't had since long time ago.

Logos
10-01-2008, 09:35 AM
I just finished it myself :) and thought it was a fabulous book, read it in about 2 days. I was also compelled to keep reading and reading. About the jumping around in ages and time, I thought they would be annoying at first, but by the 100th page or so it seemed quite cleverly done and as part of the message of the book is "time is nothing", and while it was relevant to know this information, it did not detract from the flow of the narrative.

And I usually hate endings to books that really draw me in, but it was not a let-down at all; it was just as expected, and for a rare time I was left feeling that a book was really completely finished and I was not wishing it would go and on, if that makes sense :p

mmaria
10-01-2008, 12:18 PM
It seems that the book contains some hints or clues on which the author could base the second part of the novel. What I have in mind is their daughter, who inherited her father's ability to travel through time, and the doctor's interest to undertake scientific research in order to enable a controlled time travel. It looks like a good basis for developing another very interesting story on the same subject, but with different and less painful experiences and results.

kelby_lake
10-02-2008, 01:18 PM
Seems like it will be good but it depresses me a lot, and I wish they'd tell it in a more romantic style. And that it was much shorter- I have no patience with long books.

andave_ya
10-30-2008, 10:12 PM
oh that sounds fascinating!!! I want to read it now :)

TheFifthElement
10-31-2008, 04:46 AM
Oh I love this book. I've read it three times now, and each time as I approach the end I know I'm going to cry (and I don't cry at books) and I want to and I don't and I can't help myself. A beautiful love story told in a most unusual way. One of my top ten all time favourites.

bree
10-31-2008, 03:16 PM
I loved this book although it was a few years ago since I read it. I think it is time I opened it again.

amalia1985
10-31-2008, 06:10 PM
Although I don't read books about time travelling and similar themes, this one was suggested by a German friend of mine, and it was really engaging and captivating.

MilindChatterji
11-28-2008, 06:34 AM
i always have a fascination for time machine and space shuttle stories. Audrey Niffengger's new release seems interesting. i'm definitley going to try it.

optimisticnad
11-28-2008, 09:19 AM
The Time traveller's Wife is a FANTASTIC book!! I read it immediately after it came out because I wanted to see what all the hype was about. It was so well written, so gripping. I loved the characters. Hell I love the whole idea of time travel. I wish I had thought of the plot! There's no time machine, no tardis or space shuttle in this. It's a simple endearing love story with a time travel twist and I've read it twice - huge compliment because i don't like reading books more than once. Unless I really enjoyed it.

I've always thought of what people were like when they were younger - e.g parents, lovers. They can tell you about their childhood and life before you came into it but it's not the same. To be able to travel back and forth in time, see them when they're young, old, strong, vulunrable - I think it would be wonderful. And might kill the relationship - lol. There's a Raymond Carver short story, the title escapes me but I remember the ending, a little boy tells his father something along the lines that he feels lonely when he thinks of his dad at his age and he wished he knew him. Must dig it out - it was beautifully written.

Welldone Niffengger! Has she written anything since? It's a hard act to follow.

kelby_lake
11-28-2008, 01:30 PM
I couldn't finish it- too long. The concept is wonderful but her writing doesn't do it justice.

Guinivere
12-09-2008, 09:48 AM
I absolutely loved that book. At first I thought the concept sounded promising but then not only did the characters take over but also the heartfelt romance of it all just warmed my heart. I don't usually read romance but this one was worth it. I find it quite challenging to find good well written romantic plots without the soppy and sometimes seedy characters.
I asked my Mum to give it to me for Christmas so I don't have to borrow it from the library anymore.

Joreads
12-09-2008, 10:11 PM
I have this book sitting on my bed side table ready to read and I just keep putting it off for some reason. Now I have dumped it to the top of my list.

Tallon
12-10-2008, 05:25 AM
I read this for a bookclub a year or so ago and i'm surprised it is going down so well here as that was on a music forum and most people were pretty critical of it. I remember disliking the characters and how pretentious they were and being disappointed at how such a good concept was so poorly executed.

Thespian1975
12-13-2008, 04:40 PM
i always have a fascination for time machine and space shuttle stories. Audrey Niffengger's new release seems interesting. i'm definitley going to try it.


It's time travel, but not as we know it.

A totally unique book that will make you cry. Once you get used to the idea and can keep track of where and when the characters are then it is so beautiful and engaging yet terrifying as well.

10/10

kelby_lake
07-23-2009, 04:48 PM
She is an abysmal writer. The only reason anyone thinks the book is good is because of the concept.

Barbarous
07-29-2009, 06:09 PM
I have yet to read this novel, but my love adores it. It seems interesting enough and is said to have numerous allusions to Rilke and Proust and to great 70's punk!

free
08-04-2014, 04:35 AM
I've always thought of what people were like when they were younger - e.g parents, lovers. They can tell you about their childhood and life before you came into it but it's not the same.



It is really attractive. This book makes it possible. I like it. :)

Eskeyp
08-25-2014, 04:35 PM
I loved this book. It's not perfect, but it made me feel and think and want. It's one of those stories that pulls you into the characters' lives and leaves you wanting more, mulling over the scenes and premise for days after you've reluctantly turned the last page. Rarely is such an original idea portrayed with such vivid language so you believe the time travel possibility and the characters are almost people you know.