I finished The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger last night. It brought me to tears. I hate and love the way the end was so beautifully and heart-wrenchingly sad. Actually the entire book can be described that way. It's one of those novels that often read more like poetry than prose. It's also one of those that remind me why I love reading, one of those that make me wonder how I could have gone so long without reading anything this good.
I wanted to write about it as soon as I finished, but it was already late and I had to get to sleep. Then today (yesterday) was a busy day, so I didn't have time to sit down and blog either. It was only as I was fixing the fin stuff that for my turnover to Mich, when OneRepublic's Stop and Stare started playing on my iTunes that I felt the urge once more. It's not a song I'm particularly fond of or anything. But for some reason, it brought back that heavy, nostalgic feeling I get at the end of a good book, especially if it is a long one. It is a sadness that is not simply due to the nature of the ending, but also to the loss of the characters that have entered my life and have become a part of me. I remember feeling the same way for Aragorn and Frodo and Arwen after The Return of the King, for Harry and Ron and Hermione after Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, and even (I admit) for Bella and Edward at the end of Breaking Dawn.
I haven't been hit this hard by a novel in a while. Even Murakami's Norwegian Wood failed to touch me this much. I'd rather not read anything new for a while; I want to bask in the memory of Clare and Henry's story just a little while longer. Maybe I'll even read it all over again.
The movie's scheduled for release in August. I'm excited for it, and I know I'll enjoy it and probably cry some more. But of course, as these things usually go, the movie will be nowhere near as beautiful as the book.
Very good job on casting Eric Bana and Rachel McAdams as Henry and Clare, I think. Photo taken from IMDb.com.
Oh, Mindy. This is my favorite book of all-time, and just thinking about it makes me want to curl up and cry forever. I felt the same thing you did - awe and sadness at the beautiful story, joy at finding this excellent book, and a little bit of doubt that I will find any other that will touch me this much and this intensely.
ReplyDeleteIt is a sadness that is not simply due to the nature of the ending, but also to the loss of the characters that have entered my life and have become a part of me.Yes, exactly. I feel that way every time I finish a book. And while I still can't make myself read The Time Traveler's Wife again (I remember the heavy emotion so clearly and a big part of me can't go through that again just yet), I miss Henry and Clare so much. I can't wait for the movie. :)
Lara! You too! Gah, I want to cry right now just reading your comment. I hate that it took me this long to finally read The Time Traveler's Wife--it was always out of stock wherever I looked. Audrey Niffenegger needs to write some more!
ReplyDeleteThe Time Traveler's Wife! Wow, lucky you. I've been trying to get myself a copy for two years, haha! Where'd you get yours? :)
ReplyDeleteHi Rhea! I got it at Powerbooks Shangri-La about two weeks ago. :)
ReplyDeleteminds! i miss trading books with you. i haven't read anything amazing lately either. i keep feeling dissatisfied or irritated with the novels i do read, so i stop reading wherever it is that i feel bad, and never pick it up again. =\ que terible.
ReplyDeleteyou made me want to read this though. :) hope to see you soon. miss you!
Let's meet up and I'll lend it to you! Game? :)
ReplyDeletei also cried when i read this book :))
ReplyDeleteThanks for the review, now I have something new to read :)
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