The Time Traveler's Wife

I'm always impressed with writers who can tell a story in a way that isn't strictly chronological. The thought that it takes to map out the plot and all its details before ever beginning to write is a testimony to a writer that is truly dedicated to their story. Niffenegger took this talent to a different level. Time travel really messes with chronology so there was no way to tell this story in any sort of "timely fashion." From the very beginning, this book messed with my head. In a good way. At first I had to think through every line, figure out how everything fit together. Eventually I got the hang of how the time traveling worked and it was easier to follow along.

Still, this book got inside my head. I dreamt about time travel, even waking up at times to wonder what year it was. Was I in the present? Was my boyfriend in the present? Were we in the past? The future?

I thought this novel was going to be kind of fluffy. Maybe set in the 1800s or something. Not very relatable basically. Instead the story was raw, the characters were real. There were a few times that I felt frustrated, but I won't spoil the plot by explaining them. Suffice it to say, in the end I understand why certain things had to be explained in certain ways.

One testimony to the value of this book is that I even got my non-reading boyfriend involved. He does not read novels. At all. And no, he didn't read this one either. But I was so excited with each chapter I read that I eventually started giving him updates. Guess what Henry did now! Listen to this twist in the plot! And it sparked more than one in depth conversation about time travel, time dimensions, time in general. I can't wait to talk to someone who has read the book. It made me think, it messed with my head, it even made me cry. Why don't I hear more about this novel?