A glance at the title and one would expect this to be a sci-fi, tech-jargon-filled book. Instead, the author turns the notion of time travel on its head and suceeds in telling a truly human tale about love, loss and life.
Henry, the protagonist is a time traveller. However, there is no science talk here - in the book, time travel is simply a genetic disorder and through her words, Audrey Niffenegger manages to make the concept tangible and real. The book centres around Henry's travels back and forth throughout his life.
Claire is Henry's wife. He met her for the first time when he was in his twenties, but she had met the adult Henry when she was just a child - sound confusing? The author grapples with this idea and moulds it into a story that it as relevant to the contemporary world as it is to future generations.
The characters in the book are rounded and cultured. They give off a sense of knowledge and art intermingled with pop culture. The language evokes feelings and conjures up scenarios in the readers' mind that makes one fall in love with the book and want to read it over and over again.
The one word that can describe The Time Traveller's Wife is beautiful. The reader will not want it to end - and not just because the story is gripping, but also because you would not want to leave the world Niffenegger has created.
There has been talk of the book being made into a movie. Care must be taken in the way it is brought to life on screen. The delicate nature of the language and beauty of the story could be destroyed if it is glossed over by Hollywood.
Audrey Niffenegger's debut is truly remarkable as anyone who reads this book will carry the characters with them for years to come.