In keeping with my goals, More or Less, I finished another book this week.
The Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger is a great read. While more love story than science fiction it has plenty of elements of both.
Henry DeTamble has what is known as “Chrono Displacement” disorder. Because of that, at random times, he travels both backwards and forward in time to significant events in his life. Unfortunately, he usually arrives naked and disoriented, so he has to resort to some creative means to adapt. He meets Clare, the love of his life, when she is six. He is much older. This means that she gets to see him on occasion when she’s growing up, but in his personal timeline, he doesn’t meet her until he’s much older. Yeah, it’s that complicated.
The story is told as a narrative from the viewpoints of Henry and Clare. There’s a bit more sex and a bit more language than necessary. I’m not a prude, but you can tell an effective story without those elements. I’m just sayin’.
The Time Traveler’s Wife was made into a movie in 2009 starring Eric Bana and Rachel McAdams. Somehow, I missed that. Maybe we’ll put it on the Netlix queue.