I was desperately in need for a feel-good/fun, girly and quick book and my Back Mountain library had this available. I had seen the movie a while ago, but the 500+ page novel seemed sure to offer more heart.
The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger
Genre: Fiction, Romance, Sci-Fi
Publication Date: 2003
Setting: Chicago, 1970s-early 2000s
The charming story about a man, Henry, who lives out of time, and his romance with Clare. Clare meets Henry when she is a young girl, and grows up knowing him. But Henry doesn't meet Clare until he is in his 20s. So who fell in love first? What are the emotional/social implications of a young girl falling for an older man? Of course when Henry meets Clare (when they are both in their 20s) he doesn't have a difficult time falling for her (even though he hasn't yet experienced the history she has with him). Theirs is romance that feeds my love for science fiction.
This book also gets a little deep, as questions about destiny and free will arise. If Henry from the future is meeting young Clare (and they are married), does Clare really have a say in the matter? Can you change the future or is it all pre-determined? And if it is, by who? So far as I know, time travel does not exist and I won't hurt my head trying to think about it too much (or about future Henry and present Henry in bed together, a scene that was not well explained). As well as the predicament of conceiving/pregnancy and genetic testing - would you want your child to have a disorder? would you try to treat them as a child? or wait until they are old enough to make their own decision?
The most interesting theme I found was the loneliness in the relationship - Clare sometimes enjoys when Henry is away in time, but is very happy when he returns. Sometimes you want the other person gone (or better said: you want time to be alone/independent) but that doesn't mean you don't miss or enjoy having them around.
Finished reading: Monday, August 10, 2015
DD's Rating: A-
Another book I read in under 24 hours, which I enjoyed. I wish the author would've taken the issue of genetic testing a little further, to have a real debate, but this is supposed to be chick-lit. Full points for the exploration of free will and determinism. I also find it interesting that, for the most part, the chronology of "present" follows Clare's, although the book is narrated from both perspectives. I guess it is so the novel is as "current" as possible.
Next read: Brain on Fire by Susannah Cahalan
Showing posts with label time travel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label time travel. Show all posts
Wednesday, August 19, 2015
Sunday, January 11, 2015
The Bone Clocks
The Bone Clocks by David Mitchell
Genre: Fiction / science fiction, Drama
Publication date: September 2014
Reason for read: My boyfriend purchased this Kindle book for me as a Christmas present. He saw that it was on New York Time's top 20 list and thought that I would enjoy this semi-sci-fi novel. Funny story - he was between The Bone Clocks and Station Eleven to get for me, and I actually was on a hold list for Station Eleven at Bryn Mawr library.
Interesting note: David Mitchell claims that the characters and storylines coincide with some of his other works (like Black Swan Green), similar to Stephen King connecting several of his books (The Dark Tower series, Hearts in Atlantis, The Stand, etc).
This was a phenomenal book to start 2015. The Bone Clocks is very dense, at over 640 pages, but the story and characters hold you and the mystery of Horology and the Anchorites keep you motivated to continue reading. I did have trouble with the locations, as much of the novel takes place in Europe (England and Ireland), but I don't know to what factor geographical knowledge would enhance my enjoyment.
The novel revolves around Holly Sykes, but is written from the point of view (POV) of several characters that Holly encounters throughout her life. The story is told from England in 1984 to Ireland in 2040. Holly and others have special abilities are referred to as a "psychoeteric"skills, and this trait makes them desirable to Carnivores, or Anchorites. And then there are the Horologists, the resurrectionists, who switch genders at ever resurrection and who exist at a present time with memories and knowledge from previous lifetimes.
The Horologists are the most interesting. These individuals live a full life, perish, and are resurrected in a new body, different gender, and must start all over again. How odd it must be to have the wisdom of a 400 year-old being stuck in an adolescent girl's body. No one takes you seriously. No one wants to hear your opinion on politics or religion. And if you really let your knowledge shine, you draw attention to yourself which could be dangerous (although, how much do you have to lose when you know you can start over again). Years and years of time. Nothing but time. You are able to travel across the globe, learn multiple languages, discover new passions or focus on previous interests. The caveat is that everyone you know and everyone you meet and everyone you care for will die, and you will live on. And how do relationships work if you a girl now, but in the past life you were a male? Is that considered bisexual? Does it really matter to someone centuries old?
I realized upon completion that the male characters (the POV characters at least) all had major flaws. Perhaps I am quick to say this because I am a female and can empathize and forgive the females, but the males all appeared to act selfishly and hurtfully. The male POV characters cheated their friends, set up a business foe for incarceration, and abandoned their families for work and personal interests. The males all believed they were acting righteously (although they were really being self-righteous) and had no problem scoffing at others, thinking themselves to be so high and mighty. This isn't a negative critique on the characters, only an interesting realization, perhaps caused my growing feminism.
The novel did not deal with multiple or parallel universes, but instead with different points of time and how all humans are "Bone Clocks" - sacks of bones ticking down to individual and collective expiration. The conclusion of the book is a bit morose with political undertones, but overall it was an exciting journey with the climax being a battle of Good versus Evil. I won't tell who wins.
Morals: Every person you encounter is part of your Script, and plays a role in your life. Do not underestimate or take for granted those around you. Appreciate what and who you have because time is a fickle beast and can speed up and take those things from you.
Finished reading Friday, January 9th
DD's Rating: A+
Next book: Remember Me Like This by Bret Anthony Johnston
Genre: Fiction / science fiction, Drama
Publication date: September 2014
Reason for read: My boyfriend purchased this Kindle book for me as a Christmas present. He saw that it was on New York Time's top 20 list and thought that I would enjoy this semi-sci-fi novel. Funny story - he was between The Bone Clocks and Station Eleven to get for me, and I actually was on a hold list for Station Eleven at Bryn Mawr library.
Interesting note: David Mitchell claims that the characters and storylines coincide with some of his other works (like Black Swan Green), similar to Stephen King connecting several of his books (The Dark Tower series, Hearts in Atlantis, The Stand, etc).
This was a phenomenal book to start 2015. The Bone Clocks is very dense, at over 640 pages, but the story and characters hold you and the mystery of Horology and the Anchorites keep you motivated to continue reading. I did have trouble with the locations, as much of the novel takes place in Europe (England and Ireland), but I don't know to what factor geographical knowledge would enhance my enjoyment.
The novel revolves around Holly Sykes, but is written from the point of view (POV) of several characters that Holly encounters throughout her life. The story is told from England in 1984 to Ireland in 2040. Holly and others have special abilities are referred to as a "psychoeteric"skills, and this trait makes them desirable to Carnivores, or Anchorites. And then there are the Horologists, the resurrectionists, who switch genders at ever resurrection and who exist at a present time with memories and knowledge from previous lifetimes.
The Horologists are the most interesting. These individuals live a full life, perish, and are resurrected in a new body, different gender, and must start all over again. How odd it must be to have the wisdom of a 400 year-old being stuck in an adolescent girl's body. No one takes you seriously. No one wants to hear your opinion on politics or religion. And if you really let your knowledge shine, you draw attention to yourself which could be dangerous (although, how much do you have to lose when you know you can start over again). Years and years of time. Nothing but time. You are able to travel across the globe, learn multiple languages, discover new passions or focus on previous interests. The caveat is that everyone you know and everyone you meet and everyone you care for will die, and you will live on. And how do relationships work if you a girl now, but in the past life you were a male? Is that considered bisexual? Does it really matter to someone centuries old?
I realized upon completion that the male characters (the POV characters at least) all had major flaws. Perhaps I am quick to say this because I am a female and can empathize and forgive the females, but the males all appeared to act selfishly and hurtfully. The male POV characters cheated their friends, set up a business foe for incarceration, and abandoned their families for work and personal interests. The males all believed they were acting righteously (although they were really being self-righteous) and had no problem scoffing at others, thinking themselves to be so high and mighty. This isn't a negative critique on the characters, only an interesting realization, perhaps caused my growing feminism.
The novel did not deal with multiple or parallel universes, but instead with different points of time and how all humans are "Bone Clocks" - sacks of bones ticking down to individual and collective expiration. The conclusion of the book is a bit morose with political undertones, but overall it was an exciting journey with the climax being a battle of Good versus Evil. I won't tell who wins.
Morals: Every person you encounter is part of your Script, and plays a role in your life. Do not underestimate or take for granted those around you. Appreciate what and who you have because time is a fickle beast and can speed up and take those things from you.
Finished reading Friday, January 9th
DD's Rating: A+
Next book: Remember Me Like This by Bret Anthony Johnston
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