This is one of those books where, you know when you have read just a couple of pages that you are going to fall in love with the book. In fact, you are already in love with the book. I fiercely held on to the book for four days and wanted to keep reading it and yet did not want the book to finish. In short, I loved the book.
The author has dealt with a difficult concept - Time travel, yet at it's very core, the book is a love story, albeit a poignant one at that. Henry DeTamble has all the makings of a regular book hero and yet, he is not, at the very core. One minute he is here and the next minute he has left behind a pile of clothes. An average reader can deal with spatial displacement quite easily, however to come to terms with time displacement is a bit harder and the author has taken great pains to ensure this imagery is complete.
The scenes shift from one period to another with Henry scuttling the streets of Chicago as a regular citizen in search of drinks and women and then, a sober middle aged man just longing to be with Claire, who in turn is a budding teenager, against the backdrop of the meadows. The time periods have been clearly annotated making it easier for the reader to wander through Henry's "travel expeditions".
As Claire and Henry come to terms with his unusual condition, which has several handicaps, it does raise the moralist's eyebrow when they decide to use it to their advantage. The other interesting point raised in the book is around destiny. Did events unfold because Henry sees it that way in the future or did they happen in a certain manner and Henry a mere bystander, more of a future reporter? The contradictions and associated dillemma experienced by them is permeated to the reader. Food for thought, eh?
One of the highlights of the book is that the story is told through the view point of both Claire and Henry.All through the book one cannot but marvel at how much Claire and Henry are in love with other. It makes one want to really believe in true love. Claire comes across as a loyal, passionate person and her stray abbherations are but quickly dismissed by the reader. Music permeaded through the book quite a lot and reminded me of some scenes from "An Equal Music - Vikram Seth".
I watched the movie after reading the book, and though the movie has captured the essence of the book, so many of the little details that added to the beauty of the book could not make it to the movie.
Although a tome, I would urge anyone who wants to travel through space and time to reach out for love to add this book to their collection.
Book Rating 4.5/5
If you like this book you would also like -: An Equal Music - Vikram Seth; The Unbearable Lightness of Being - Milan Kundera
Watch out for my next review - The Great Indian Novel - Shashi Tharoor
The author has dealt with a difficult concept - Time travel, yet at it's very core, the book is a love story, albeit a poignant one at that. Henry DeTamble has all the makings of a regular book hero and yet, he is not, at the very core. One minute he is here and the next minute he has left behind a pile of clothes. An average reader can deal with spatial displacement quite easily, however to come to terms with time displacement is a bit harder and the author has taken great pains to ensure this imagery is complete.
The scenes shift from one period to another with Henry scuttling the streets of Chicago as a regular citizen in search of drinks and women and then, a sober middle aged man just longing to be with Claire, who in turn is a budding teenager, against the backdrop of the meadows. The time periods have been clearly annotated making it easier for the reader to wander through Henry's "travel expeditions".
As Claire and Henry come to terms with his unusual condition, which has several handicaps, it does raise the moralist's eyebrow when they decide to use it to their advantage. The other interesting point raised in the book is around destiny. Did events unfold because Henry sees it that way in the future or did they happen in a certain manner and Henry a mere bystander, more of a future reporter? The contradictions and associated dillemma experienced by them is permeated to the reader. Food for thought, eh?
One of the highlights of the book is that the story is told through the view point of both Claire and Henry.All through the book one cannot but marvel at how much Claire and Henry are in love with other. It makes one want to really believe in true love. Claire comes across as a loyal, passionate person and her stray abbherations are but quickly dismissed by the reader. Music permeaded through the book quite a lot and reminded me of some scenes from "An Equal Music - Vikram Seth".
I watched the movie after reading the book, and though the movie has captured the essence of the book, so many of the little details that added to the beauty of the book could not make it to the movie.
Although a tome, I would urge anyone who wants to travel through space and time to reach out for love to add this book to their collection.
Book Rating 4.5/5
If you like this book you would also like -: An Equal Music - Vikram Seth; The Unbearable Lightness of Being - Milan Kundera
Watch out for my next review - The Great Indian Novel - Shashi Tharoor
I loved this one as well!
ReplyDeleteHey Madhu,
ReplyDeleteNot only are her books great but she is a very down to earth person as well. I went for a talk show where she was the guest and even managed to get a signed copy of "The Time Traveler's Wife" ;).
By the way if you have not already read "Her Fearful Symmetry", then you should definitely read that too.
Thanks, Suchi. Will pick that up when I get the time.. am not reading as much as I'd like to, these days. :(
ReplyDeleteI would also strongly recommend Burnt Shadows. Read my review on the site.
ReplyDeleteHave you tried using cooking/travelling time to read? Believe me, it works.