Time traveller’s wife - Audrey Niffenegger
Posted on Mar 22, 2008 under romance novel, science-fiction / fantasy |
Time traveler’s wife is an atypical love story between a librarian (Henry), who suffers from a genetic disorder that makes him travel through time and his wife (Clare), constrained to get used to his sudden leaves and long absences. Henry can’t control the moment of his leaving and has no idea when he will be back. Thus, in order to keep his calm, he runs.
Clare waiting for Henry - Henry waiting for time
When travelling, Henry can’t take anything with him. Thus, he awakes bare naked and starving as he finds himself in the need of learning various tricks in order to get food and clothes. He learns all these tricks from his elder self. Clare is a catholic artist who practically has known Henry all her life although they met in reality only at an adult age. The relationship between the two can seem in the beginning rather crazy, almost like a joke. Henry’s departures are in no way a warranty of the marital lastingness. Waiting is one of the central ideas of this novel. Both characters wait for something to happen: Clare, like a modern Penelope, spends her time dreaming of her time-travelling husband, while Henry craves for a treatment, a confirmation that his disease has a cure. The latter’s wish to live like a normal human being makes him able to support a family from which he is absent most of the time.
Unlimited love
A series of misfortunate accidents arises from Clare’s need to love somebody who would stay by her side, a glimpse from Henry that he would not desert her, an insurance in case of fire, of flooding or divine will.
Told from both points of view, the story reveals the effects of time travelling on unconditional love between the two and on their marriage. The characters do not reveal themselves gradually because there is no proper chronology of the events. Also, the discussions between teenage Clare and an older Henry are almost improbable. Moreover, the love feeling is said rather than being suggested and facts are depicted mechanically. The indisputable charm of the novel is given by the characters’ faith that they are meant for each other, that love is above any kind of limitations and even above death.
Written by Ioana