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A review by suzyhps
The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
This book really threw me. When I was finished I had to give myself quite a while to feel a little less despair at the idea of an inevitable, looming future. I didn't expect to enjoy this story and plot as much as I did. I picked the book up in a little free library and I was incredibly curious as to how the author had written the time travel, as it can be done hundreds of different ways. I was not disappointed, it felt tangible and to some extent very believable. I empathized with the characters and I did cry quite a bit.
However, there were a few things that I didn't love too much. Of course time travel makes it tricky, but the relationship Henry has to Claire as she grows up made me uncomfortable at times, though I don't believe it could have been written in a way that didn't. Then, for me as someone born in the late 90s, I had to let the lists of artists, musicians, etc. kind of wash over me in order to not get lost in the lists and details. It was a bit overdone. My final gripe was that Claire seemed to have been waiting for the past 50 years for Henry to come back. This is of course not unrealistic, as most of her life had revolved around him up to that point, but it seemed to counteract the very thing Henry had hated seeing in his father. Of course, we aren't privy to what happens to Claire in the years between, but it did make me wonder if she had been allowed (by herself) to move on even a little.
So overall I would recommend this read if you are interested in time travel confusion, soulmate like romance, and what feels like a glimpse into someone else's life.
However, there were a few things that I didn't love too much. Of course time travel makes it tricky, but the relationship Henry has to Claire as she grows up made me uncomfortable at times, though I don't believe it could have been written in a way that didn't. Then, for me as someone born in the late 90s, I had to let the lists of artists, musicians, etc. kind of wash over me in order to not get lost in the lists and details. It was a bit overdone. My final gripe was that Claire seemed to have been waiting for the past 50 years for Henry to come back. This is of course not unrealistic, as most of her life had revolved around him up to that point, but it seemed to counteract the very thing Henry had hated seeing in his father. Of course, we aren't privy to what happens to Claire in the years between, but it did make me wonder if she had been allowed (by herself) to move on even a little.
So overall I would recommend this read if you are interested in time travel confusion, soulmate like romance, and what feels like a glimpse into someone else's life.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Miscarriage
Moderate: Death and Death of parent
Minor: Alcoholism