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Shvoong Home>Books>Novels & Novellas>The Time Traveler's Wife Review

The Time Traveler's Wife

Book Review   by:Jlyn81     Original Author: Audrey Niffenegger
  • Summary rating: 4 stars (1 Ratings)
  • Visits : 48
  • words:900 
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I've always wanted to read this book after the movie came out a year ago. I haven't seen the movie but now that I've read this book, I'll go watch.

 The story is about Henry DeTamble and Clare Abshire, who are both narrating the story. Henry is a time traveler and he's been doing this since he was a kid. You later find out in the story that it's a genetic thing that causes Henry to time travel. He never tries to change anything when he goes into his past but there are times that he will interact with himself (either as a small boy or a young adult or even an older man). It's kind of hard to explain and it's must better to read it anyway.


As part of his time travels, he goes to see his future wife Clare as a young child. They always meet in the meadow that is near her house and he appears on the dates that she wrote down that he dictates. It's kind of a weird thing for Clare to see Henry come and go but she never really tells anyone about him. Even when other kids think that she doesn't date other guys because she is always waiting for him to return. That's kind of the basis of their relationship. He disappears and she waits.


Soon, the dates become shorter meaning that soon Clare and Henry will actually meet each other in Chicago. When they finally meet, Clare is an artist and Henry works in the library. It's kind of awkward for Henry because he has no idea who Clare is but she knows him. After a date, she clarifies how they know each other and they begin dating as a real couple. Well, almost like a real couple anyway. 


 The thing about Henry is that when he time travels, he leaves his clothes behind. Once he appears at his destination, he is hungry and in need of clothing. Most of the time it results to him having to steal. I don't think I would want to time travel if I have no clothes on.


Not many people know about the true nature of Henry. The only ones that knows are Gomez (who is a lawyer and has a crush on Clare) and Clare's best friend Charisse. Clare normally has to come up with an explanation when Henry suddenly time travels. You find that when Henry gets nervous or agitated, that's what triggers the time travel. When it comes to their wedding, Henry has to try very hard to keep calm. Besides, how else would you explain not finding the groom?


Sometimes the time traveling helps them, especially when they were going to find a house and having a child (especially with all the many miscarriages they have). But most of the time during the marriage, they try to have a normal marriage with Clare working on her art while Henry goes to work at the library. Of course Clare worries when he time travels. Sometimes he's gone for a few hours to even a whole day. But as a good wife, she always waits for his return.


However, Henry knows that something happens to him at the age of 43. He normally doesn't see the future except the time that he sees the future older self of his daughter. He doesn't want to upset Clare so he keeps this to himself.  But he has to write a letter to her so that she is no longer waiting for him when it does happen.


I'm not spoiling the ending so if you haven't read this book yet, you should (even if you did watch the movie already). Henry and Clare's love story is unique and unusual but it shows that love lasts a lifetime.
Published: February 03, 2011   
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