finally met again. Their chemistry was amazing, surprisingly not only when they were together at their closest ages, but also when they met with Clare as a little girl and teenager.

“We laugh and laugh, and nothing can ever be sad, no one can be lost, or dead, or far away: right now we are here, and nothing can mar our perfection, or steal the joy of this perfect moment.”

It is told in non-chronological order – jumping back and forth in time, sometimes skipping years, sometimes just hours. Because of this, it is mostly presented in snippets – some presenting as beautifully wistful and sweet moments between Clare and Henry. As I read on, I could see the pieces falling into place. Most events are still roughly in order of occurrence, either as experienced by Henry or Clare, and this unconventional method of storytelling worked really well for me. There is also a lot of foreshadowing of things to come, which made the story even more interesting, because I could feel that sense of foreboding but couldn’t predict what and particularly when something major would happen.

“Maybe I'm dreaming you. Maybe you're dreaming me; maybe we only exist in each other's dreams and every morning when we wake up we forget all about each other.” 

Clare and Henry both tell their own story – the book is told from both of their points of view. I think, because of this, I experienced some of the events much more intensely, because I got to see a lot of what transpires from both of their sides. Both also experience some very imaginative dream sequences, which added a nice touch to whatever was going on in their lives at those times. They were particularly prevalent during their difficult times, and many of the dreams were therefore gripping and a bit dark.

“Each moment that I wait feels like a year, an eternity. Each moment is as slow and transparent as glass. Through each moment I can see infinite moments line up, waiting. Why has he gone where I cannot follow?” There are some things The Time Traveler’s Wife could’ve done without, such as the cussing, the racial stereotyping, the excessive details (from grocery lists to music bands), and perhaps a hundred less pages. But all in all it is an enchanting and gripping tragic love story, with some amazingly happy and sweet parts. It was one of those books that made me go ‘Just one more chapter!’ - causing me to get late to work and feel excited whenever I could resume reading. A recommended read, for sure.

** All quotes are by Audrey Niffenegger, from The Time Traveler's Wife