The Time Traveler's Wife is a refreshing new take on the love story. The hero, Henry DeTamble, has a rare genetic disorder that causes him to travel involuntarily through time. Clare Abshire is the love of his life. Though Henry meets Clare whilst in his 20s, his travels allow Clare to meet Henry when she is only 6.
Besides dealing with the trials of any romantic relationship, Clare and Henry's love is complicated by the fact that every moment young Clare spent with Henry is time lost once they meet in the present. Clare is often left alone, never knowing when or where her husband is, when he will return, and in what condition.
It is the strength of Niffenegger's characters that carries the weight of the far-fetched elements of this story and makes it one of the best new love stories to come along in several years - and a brilliant example of why telling a story out of chronological order is sometimes necessary to give the story a stronger underlying structure.
Besides dealing with the trials of any romantic relationship, Clare and Henry's love is complicated by the fact that every moment young Clare spent with Henry is time lost once they meet in the present. Clare is often left alone, never knowing when or where her husband is, when he will return, and in what condition.
It is the strength of Niffenegger's characters that carries the weight of the far-fetched elements of this story and makes it one of the best new love stories to come along in several years - and a brilliant example of why telling a story out of chronological order is sometimes necessary to give the story a stronger underlying structure.