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Time Traveler's wife: Must read or overrated?

85 replies

boogiewoogie · 16/08/2009 20:55

What do mners think? I've seen this title come up a lot on the AF threads and I know that the film is coming out soon so is this worth reading at all or over hyped trash?

I'll probably end up reading it anyway out of curiosity.

OP posts:
JeMeSouviens · 19/08/2009 16:03

Haven't read the book, saw the film last night.

There were some aspects of the time travelling that didn't make sense, but apparently the good Doctor said to remember the bit in Austin Powers where they tell you not to worry about the logisitcs of it. Other than that, I thought it was good, not overly sad, a little humour. I agree Eric Bana is not the best actor, but overall it was worth the cheap movie night price.

Makingchanges · 19/08/2009 16:18

I'm reading the book now and was a little worried that I wouldn't enjoy it - But I read 200 pages in one go as I couldn't put it down - I think its brilliant and looking forward to the film after I've finished the book

choosyfloosy · 19/08/2009 16:21

Enjoyable and fairly gripping light read. Would definitely not bother paying for cinema tickets but wouldn't turn it off if it comes up on telly in a few years' time.

MagicMountain · 19/08/2009 16:36

Not getting on too well with it--rather dull, which is quite something considering the premise.

notyummy · 19/08/2009 16:59

In American English traveller has only one 'l'.

They really do know nothing....

Itsjustafleshwound · 19/08/2009 17:06

The other issue I have with the book is that as much as that as much as it tries to disguise the fact, Henry should be on the sex offenders register - I think it is called 'grooming' ...

JeMeSouviens · 19/08/2009 17:09

I did feel a bit iffy at that aspect in the film too.

TheDMshouldbeRivened · 19/08/2009 18:01

is someone going to tell me what its about or am I going to pop?

pickyvic · 19/08/2009 18:16

another "loved it" here too! and so did DH, in fact he read it first and passed it to me.

theDM - its a bit complicated and sounds really naff - the bloke (henry) has a gene disorder that causes him to involuntarily time travel - its basically a love story but not a slushy one! i loved it and im not into slush at all!

OrmIrian · 20/08/2009 08:39

riven - I'll tell you otherwise you might feel obliged to read it !

Chap has a genetic condition that makes he time travel backwards and forwards, involuntarily and uncontrollably. He appears in odd places, always naked. On one of these occasions he meets a young girl in her garden - and instead of screaming, running away and calling the police - she gets to know him. It turns out that later in her life she meets him and marries him. Whether he experiences the relationship before he meets her so know he has to get to know her I don't know and care even less. Throughout the relationship he is constantly disappearing and reappearing - bit like a long distance lorry driver I guess. They manage to conceive a child who has the same genetic condition. Oh and he has a vile violent temper (he once does something really horrible to a teenage boy)and a huge sexual appetite - and of course it helps that she is gorgeous.

Now you don't have to read it. Hurrah!

Rollergirl1 · 20/08/2009 10:02

I actually quite liked it, but see it for what it was, which is romantic drivel.

Ormirian: You mention that you like sci-fi. So do I as it happens. What authors do you like? Have just come across an amazing author called conrad williams. Books are quite gorey though.

OrmIrian · 20/08/2009 10:09

OOh I like load of stuff. Just read my first Iain M Banks 'Culture' book - can't remember it's name. I love the old writers too - Asimov, some Clarke. Ursula Le Guin and Doris Lessing (love those books). Woman on the Edge of Time by Marge Peircey is one of my all-time favourites. Most of the time when I am in a sci-fi zone I just read anything that looks interesting. I am not into things that are more fantasy than sci-fi TBH.

OrmIrian · 20/08/2009 10:10

Not read Conrad Williams - will give it a go. thanks for the recommendation!

Rollergirl1 · 20/08/2009 10:23

I have to say am a bit partial to some Stephen King and Peter Straub.

Haven't actually read any Iain M Banks, although DH has a shelf full. Have read lots of normal Iain Banks though.

One of my favourites is I am Legend by Richard Matheson. Have also just finished Let the Right One in by John Ajvide Lindqvist in prep for the film coming out. Is very very good and thoroughly reccomend.

Sorry, won't hi-jack thread any longer...

Ponders · 20/08/2009 10:28

John Wyndham went in for quite a bit of time travel & in fact one of his characters went back - or forward??? - and subsequently wrote a letter to his time-travel wife after he returned to his own time.

Or did she travel back to meet him? I think it must be that way round - she travelled back from the future, where time travel had become possible, & they married & then she was collected by someone from her own time & then he wrote a letter for her to receive later - which was what made her come back in the first place? (I have always had trouble getting my head round this stuff, can you tell? His time-travel stories are very hot on iconoclasm.)

Can't remember title though - it was a short story, maybe in Consider Her Ways. Will have a rummage.

OrmIrian · 20/08/2009 10:29

I'd forgotten about John Wyndham ponders - we have all of his books somewhere. Must look them out.

UndomesticHousewife · 20/08/2009 10:31

I loved the book, won't go to see the film though.

Ponders · 20/08/2009 10:32

It was in Seeds of Time - it's called Chronoclasm. And it's his own "great, great grandniece" he marries. oo-er.

Ponders · 20/08/2009 11:25

I've just been reminded of another story where the protagonist loses his clothes - Woof!

I don't imagine that was the inspiration though

seasalt · 20/08/2009 12:00

Found this really hard to get into. Managed to read it all but did not enjoy it. The film looks even worse.

madusa · 25/08/2009 20:34

I have just finished it and I loved it!

I can't wait to see the film

fishie · 25/08/2009 20:40

orm pls can you post your review on amazon.

i heard r4 review of film and the person hadn't read the book. they picked up on every plot hole and feebleness, then said what a shame this re-write would have spoilt a much loved novel. hahahahhaahaaa.

blinder · 25/08/2009 20:56

loved it loved it loved it - wish she would write another

mumof2teenboys · 26/08/2009 08:38

I loved the book, couldn't put it down, but it didn't make me cry.

My son loved it as well, he is 19.

Don't want to see the film at all, Eric Bana is just wrong for Henry, that was it for me, wrong type as the lead character.

laneyjay · 26/08/2009 13:56

Loved it and so did the next 3 people I passed it to.