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Original poster

The time traveller's wife - is it any good (40 pages in, not convinced)?

96 replies

CristinaTheAstonishing · 05/10/2006 11:44

I know it's had good reviews. I think the idea is interesting. I'm 40 pages in and it's just very samey. Does it lead to anything, is it worth persisting? Thanks.

OP posts:
expatinscotland · 05/10/2006 11:46

Give it 50 pages. If it's still crap after 50 pages, give it away.

Life's too short for books you don't like.

anniediv · 05/10/2006 11:46

I really enjoyed it, but I did have to concentrate quite hard,as usually I skim read things. I would say persevere, no doubt someone will be along to say different!

jamieboo · 05/10/2006 11:47

i just finished reading it, and it did start off a little slow. But then suddenly i just couldnt put it down!
I just thought it was a very beautiful story, and it all intertwines and.. i dont what else to say about it it was very enjoyable i thought. could see why some wouldnt enjoy it though.

HumphreyPETERCUSHINGCushion · 05/10/2006 11:48

Cristina, I'm about 30 pages in and not finding it particularly amazing either!

DH loved it though, and assures me I will be hooked soon, so I'm going to persevere for a while longer.

Original poster
CristinaTheAstonishing · 05/10/2006 11:49

Thanks, I'll give it a few more pages. Luckily it's only a borrowed book so I don't feel I have to finish it.

ExPiS - good advice about giving up after 50 pages, I was never able to do that but nowadays I'm a bit more protective of my time. Maybe I should get off MN too

OP posts:
bakedpotatooooowoooh · 05/10/2006 11:50

i gave up on it

dinosaur · 05/10/2006 11:51

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This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the poster's request.

IvortheEngine · 05/10/2006 11:53

I recommended it to someone just last week. My advice was not to read the back cover or the inside bit or listen to anyone else. Just to pick it up and read it. This was a 6'2" very masculine bloke, too, so I think it's worth a read for everyone - except maiden aunts, that is!

dinosaur · 05/10/2006 11:54

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madmarchscare · 05/10/2006 11:55

I thought it was a good idea but very disapointed with the end, but then again I often say that about endings.

Original poster
CristinaTheAstonishing · 05/10/2006 11:55

Oooh, not for maiden aunts, eh? Then it might be worth reading. Will it get racy?

OP posts:
FloatingOnTheMed · 05/10/2006 12:31

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

AnAngelWithin · 05/10/2006 12:33

well im 20 pages in and cant stop yawning!! im trying so hard to convince myself it will get more intesting but finding it tough!!

nogoes · 05/10/2006 12:34

I made it to the end of the 2nd chapter and by then I had lost the will to live. It sounded great and the reviews were all really positive but I have yet to come across anyone in rl who actually liked it.

LadyTophamHatt · 05/10/2006 12:35

MN is very split on this book.

personally, I thought it was one of the best books I havr every read, if I still had it i'D READ AGIN FRO SURE.

(opps sorry about caps)

FloatingOnTheMed · 05/10/2006 12:35

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

cowmod · 05/10/2006 12:35

no its shite

CountessDracula · 05/10/2006 12:35

I liked it, dh hated it

Orlando · 05/10/2006 12:38

No, no, it's one of those books you have to persevere with. I got it for Xmas and remember lying in the bath on Boxing day evening thinking 'total crap-- wonder if I can still take it back?' but had nothing else to read so stuck with it.

loved it in the end. (well, had issues with the actual end, but pretty much loved it anyway.

IvortheEngine · 05/10/2006 12:42

I'm not going to give my opinion on the ending because I think that anyone who reads it should not talk to anyone who has read it, should keep an open mind and just start at page 1. I'm sort of refusing to talk to anyone about it until they finish it, I feel that strongly about it! Why not maiden aunts?????? Isn't it obvious! That said, I am a prude. Some of the others in work yesterday were talking about naughty things you can buy partners and I thought "Yeuch. Now be quiet so I can concentrate on my work." I nominate myself Prude of the Year.

BonyM · 05/10/2006 12:46

Hi Cristina .

I thought it was wonderful - one of the most unusual and touching books I'd read in a long time.

Persevere.

Original poster
CristinaTheAstonishing · 05/10/2006 12:47

I think I'll persevere with it, even if only to have something to say about it when it crops up in conversations. Having said that, my BIL is famous for taking part in book conversations saying "it doesn't matter if I haven't read it, doesn't mean I haven't got an opinion on it".

OP posts:
LizP · 05/10/2006 18:15

My bookgroup read this - and that was the only reason I finished it. But all the others loved it and most were intending to read it again at some stage. I think it does get better in the middle - but still I will be sending my copy to the next jumble sale!

pudding77 · 05/10/2006 18:49

I think it's one of those that you either love or hate. I really enjoyed it but only once I stopped thinking too much about the dates & ages & trying to work them all out iyswim.

kittywits · 05/10/2006 19:23

I'd heard lots of good things about it, but I couldn't hack it after a while.

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