It is always very difficult to hit the right notes on your debut, but Audrey Niffenegger has done it, and done it with great aplomb and finesse. The topic of the novel is time travel, but the problem is that only one character of the novel— Henry DeTamble—does all the traveling while leaving his wife Clare home alone. Henry suffers from chrono displacement disorder, which makes him disappear without warning and travel back and forth in time to the places and events in his past and future.

Henry’s sudden disappearances leaving Clare alone often cause frustration for both and they struggle to keep the relationship intact. Henry first meets Clare when she was 6 and he was 36, they become friends. They meet in real life when Clare is 20 and Henry is 28, fall in love, because both feel that they have known each other for a long time (which they have) and get married.

The book alternates between Henry and Clare and brilliantly portrays their longing for each other’s company, the frustration of being separated and above all their unconditional love that keeps them going. Clare doesn’t when Henry will disappear leaving her behind, Henry doesn’t when and where he will be transported to. The novel brings out the fear and agony of living under the constant threat of being separated. A wonderfully crafted masterpiece, a brilliant love story, and above all excellent and engaging read.

Book Details:

• Editor: Audrey Niffenegger
• Publisher: Harvest Books
• Edition & Year: First, 2004
• ISBN: 015602943X
• Cover & Page Count: Paperback, 560 Pages

You can order online at Amazon.