Oh, Hi! I think I used to have a blog here. It's been a busy month. I got hired at a new library, quit my old one, fell into a lethargic depression as a result of the weather, and also did some rather interesting binge-drinking. Of course I read too, but more slowly than usual. This book, which should probably be read in only a few sittings, took almost a week. Note the illustration to the right. I selected it for two reasons: First, we've all seen the real cover by now because "The Time Traveler's Wife" was enormously popular when it was published a few years ago and second, the real cover (think knee-socks, mary-janes, and a thermos) is too hideously cutesy to contemplate. This illustration is cutesy too, but at least we haven't seen it hundreds of times.It's possible that I selected this book because I wanted to give something a bad review, and I was sure I'd hate it. I'm always avoiding books with titles like this (The So-and-So's Wife, or The So-and-So's Daughter) because they annoy me. Also, according to the back cover, "'The Time Traveler's Wife' is a story of fate, hope and belief, and more than that, it's about the power of love to endure beyond the bounds of time." Am I a jerk for finding that description irritating? Am I alone in this? Anyhow, it's not that bad. It's hugely imaginative, and the characters are all unique and likeable. But take away the (admittedly pretty awesome) fact that Henry is an unwilling time traveler (which, by necessity, actually gives the book a really interesting structure), and what are we left with? A saccharine story of epic and fated love which I don't really feel is enough for a book to be about. Don't get me wrong- I don't believe that writers should ever write with a particular message in mind. The best writers don't because otherwise it would feel forced, but they at least communicate something larger and compelling by accident and then fine-tune in later drafts. There's not much of anything being said here other than "Henry and Clare have a profound romantic connection that you, reader, will never in your life experience because it's completely false and ridiculous. Sorry!"
Am I being all sour grape-y? Not at all. I completely prefer love of the ugly, improvised, and uncertain variety. I want to love the hell out of the wrong person and make it work. Fate is just so boring.
