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ashleigh84's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
nerdy_book_mom's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
sagauri's review against another edition
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
I thoroughly enjoyed my time reading this book.
felicity_willow's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
erikariehigano22's review against another edition
5.0
This might be the most incomprehensible review I have ever made since I started actually using Goodreads for my book reading references since the start of this year. The main reason, besides all the hype, is that I am literally in tears and sobbing RIGHT NOW.
Okay so initially I checked the reviews and saw how so many people hated this book so I thought I need to have lower expectations with this one so I literally started this without any expectations for it. But the Lord loves His plot twists, and now here I am attached to two fictional characters and weeping for them.
I'M STILL CRYING HOLY CRAP THIS IS NOT A JOKE MY HEART IS SO BROKEN RIGHT NOW. HENRY, WHY!? I swear to God I would time travel myself and take that bullet for you JUST PLEASE LIVE A GOOD LIFE WITH CLARE.
Personal Opinions
Okay listen like most criticisms of this book is because it's too cheesy and messed up in terms of narration and the said "sub-theme". Point #1 - it's meant to be cheesy because this is a romance novel first things first. So if you have no ounce of romance in your bones, this book should be highly avoided. If you're like me who can tolerate romance in the middle of another genre (in this case, Sci-Fi) then I think this book is safe. Point #2 - The messed up writing (e.g. Clare and Henry's alternating POVs), I do not think this is the case. These two are literally the main characters and the whole point of the book is focusing on their identities, their individual lives and their union as a couple defying the balance and continuity of time. And every start of the paragraph, it's made clear whoever does the narrating so I have no idea why some people complain that the speaker is not mentioned hence the confusion while reading. Point #3 - One of the criticisms in this book is how Audrey imposes crapton of "main themes" in her book, diverging from being a sci-fi romance novel. Similar to the previous point, I do not think this is the case. For example, Clare and Charisse's communism jokes with Henry and Gomez (I will get back with him soon) sometimes throughout their hang-outs, I do not think that is a main theme throughout the novel. It's literally just a running joke within the friend circle and only mentioned at least twice to thrice in the whole book. To allow leniency, I could agree it is a "sub-theme" but I do not think that it interferes with the main plot points of the book itself. I'd honestly rather agree with how much references from classical literature (e.g. poetry, Greek mythology) were made instead. (The multiple references with Odysseus and Penelope may have intensified my mental breakdown on this book). And don't get me started with the sex scenes, it's a romance book and obviously not targeted to young adults. But it did made me uncomfortable (and intimidated) at first. I just can't help but think how the hell Henry gets so horny?? Oh well, love makes you crazy lol.
Henry & Clare
I honestly never would have thought I would be so attached with these two. Especially with Henry who was such a messy a**hole especially during his 20s. But oh my god this man went through so much crap ever since he was a kid even without the whole time travelling fiasco. And despite that, he grew up from his mistakes and made sure to correct himself in order to treat Clare and now their kid, Alba, properly. Clare, too!! It could easily be said that her role is often overshadowed with Henry's explicit responsibility in the book. But we need to mention how this woman stayed faithful yet was not docile to be considered a damsel in distress. She managed to appreciate her alone time whenever Henry is time travelling, she recovered from the initial grief with Henry's death by making art for the first time since the incident. Clare's inner strength must not be underestimated-- akin to Penelope if I can say. Bottom line, I love these two and why I'll end up reading fanfiction that has happy endings for these two and their child(ren). The chemistry of these two, even if it was way less obvious, was so endearing. They argued, they made compromises and they support each other during one of the other's lowest points (Clare's mother passing away; Henry's amputations). It's how ordinary couples work, but that is the point. They depicted a healthy relationship and that's what I'm here for!
Side-Characters
Honestly, poor Charisse. I did not expect to see myself represented in Charisse with our common ancestry lool. But anyway, I'm glad Audrey wrote the scene of Charisse confining her husband, Gomez,'s love for Clare despite being married to her roommate. Charisse deserves better!
I swear I was starting to sympathise with Ingrid (why is this the 2nd Ingrid I met that's been overshadowed by the main female character
Okay so initially I checked the reviews and saw how so many people hated this book so I thought I need to have lower expectations with this one so I literally started this without any expectations for it. But the Lord loves His plot twists, and now here I am attached to two fictional characters and weeping for them.
I'M STILL CRYING HOLY CRAP THIS IS NOT A JOKE MY HEART IS SO BROKEN RIGHT NOW. HENRY, WHY!? I swear to God I would time travel myself and take that bullet for you JUST PLEASE LIVE A GOOD LIFE WITH CLARE.
Personal Opinions
Okay listen like most criticisms of this book is because it's too cheesy and messed up in terms of narration and the said "sub-theme". Point #1 - it's meant to be cheesy because this is a romance novel first things first. So if you have no ounce of romance in your bones, this book should be highly avoided. If you're like me who can tolerate romance in the middle of another genre (in this case, Sci-Fi) then I think this book is safe. Point #2 - The messed up writing (e.g. Clare and Henry's alternating POVs), I do not think this is the case. These two are literally the main characters and the whole point of the book is focusing on their identities, their individual lives and their union as a couple defying the balance and continuity of time. And every start of the paragraph, it's made clear whoever does the narrating so I have no idea why some people complain that the speaker is not mentioned hence the confusion while reading. Point #3 - One of the criticisms in this book is how Audrey imposes crapton of "main themes" in her book, diverging from being a sci-fi romance novel. Similar to the previous point, I do not think this is the case. For example, Clare and Charisse's communism jokes with Henry and Gomez (I will get back with him soon) sometimes throughout their hang-outs, I do not think that is a main theme throughout the novel. It's literally just a running joke within the friend circle and only mentioned at least twice to thrice in the whole book. To allow leniency, I could agree it is a "sub-theme" but I do not think that it interferes with the main plot points of the book itself. I'd honestly rather agree with how much references from classical literature (e.g. poetry, Greek mythology) were made instead. (The multiple references with Odysseus and Penelope may have intensified my mental breakdown on this book). And don't get me started with the sex scenes, it's a romance book and obviously not targeted to young adults. But it did made me uncomfortable (and intimidated) at first. I just can't help but think how the hell Henry gets so horny?? Oh well, love makes you crazy lol.
Henry & Clare
I honestly never would have thought I would be so attached with these two. Especially with Henry who was such a messy a**hole especially during his 20s. But oh my god this man went through so much crap ever since he was a kid even without the whole time travelling fiasco. And despite that, he grew up from his mistakes and made sure to correct himself in order to treat Clare and now their kid, Alba, properly. Clare, too!! It could easily be said that her role is often overshadowed with Henry's explicit responsibility in the book. But we need to mention how this woman stayed faithful yet was not docile to be considered a damsel in distress. She managed to appreciate her alone time whenever Henry is time travelling, she recovered from the initial grief with Henry's death by making art for the first time since the incident. Clare's inner strength must not be underestimated-- akin to Penelope if I can say. Bottom line, I love these two and why I'll end up reading fanfiction that has happy endings for these two and their child(ren). The chemistry of these two, even if it was way less obvious, was so endearing. They argued, they made compromises and they support each other during one of the other's lowest points (Clare's mother passing away; Henry's amputations). It's how ordinary couples work, but that is the point. They depicted a healthy relationship and that's what I'm here for!
Side-Characters
Honestly, poor Charisse. I did not expect to see myself represented in Charisse with our common ancestry lool. But anyway, I'm glad Audrey wrote the scene of Charisse confining her husband, Gomez,'s love for Clare despite being married to her roommate. Charisse deserves better!
I swear I was starting to sympathise with Ingrid (why is this the 2nd Ingrid I met that's been overshadowed by the main female character
justplainbecca's review against another edition
5.0
I finished this one over a week ago and I still can't quite get my thoughts into words (though, I'm going to try). In short, though: I loved it. I estimate that I cried through the last 100 or so pages, but it could have been more, could've been less. I cried for well over an hour. But, it was a good cathartic cry.
First of all, this is just a creative, original plot. It's about a time traveler, sure, but it's not at all a fantasy novel. Aside from the fact that the protagonist jumps around in time, it takes place in real time(s) and real places. Even the time travel is explained scientifically (genetic disorder). I didn't question this story at all, I just accepted that Henry time travels. It made it very easy for me to get absorbed in the book.
However, the creative approach to time travel is really not why I loved this The Time Traveler's Wife. Without good writing and great characters, even a creative idea can fall flat. But, Clare and Henry are great and true-to-life characters and this book is a great love story. It's kind of embarrassing to admit that's what really got me, but there it is. I was really moved by the relationship that Clare and Henry have.
Yeah, I still haven't found the words. This post has definitely not done it justice. On to the next book.
First of all, this is just a creative, original plot. It's about a time traveler, sure, but it's not at all a fantasy novel. Aside from the fact that the protagonist jumps around in time, it takes place in real time(s) and real places. Even the time travel is explained scientifically (genetic disorder). I didn't question this story at all, I just accepted that Henry time travels. It made it very easy for me to get absorbed in the book.
However, the creative approach to time travel is really not why I loved this The Time Traveler's Wife. Without good writing and great characters, even a creative idea can fall flat. But, Clare and Henry are great and true-to-life characters and this book is a great love story. It's kind of embarrassing to admit that's what really got me, but there it is. I was really moved by the relationship that Clare and Henry have.
Yeah, I still haven't found the words. This post has definitely not done it justice. On to the next book.
lauraborkpower's review against another edition
2.0
I really wanted to like this a lot, but it wasn't terribly impressive. She came off like an absolutely uncool Chicagoan trying SO hard to be a cool Chicagoan by name dropping "cool" sites in the city. The beginning was a lot of fun, but for me, she lost it in the middle and certainly by the end.