Thanks for reminding me. I should preface this entry with the fact that I've read a lot of books, but mostly in Spanish. Only recently, in order to while away time or sometimes for "passing time on the metro" reading, have I begun to read things in English. I gave in to the Da Vinci Code, desperately trying to crack the stupid clues as fast as symbologist Robert Langdon. I failed miserably and the book, although really interesting and a great read, was ultimately a letdown due to my inability to figure out where the Holy Grail was hidden.
 | But this book. At this point, I want to insert something horrendously cliché like, "Ahhhh, this book," and lean back and recollect fond memories. How could I do this without seeming too Masterpiece Theatre? It's just that this book was truly amazing, such that when I finished it, I immediately wanted to re-read the whole thing. |
If you can reconcile yourself with its odd premise, the rest of the book falls into place. The protagonist Henry suffers from Chrono Displacement Order, the ability to time travel. Although it sounds cool enough -- he always travels to a point that has relevance to his own life -- the problem lies in the details: his time traveling is involuntarily and only happens when he's stressed, overly tired, or stands up suddenly. And when he time travels, he arrives naked and hungry. Consequently, he meets his wife when she's six and he's in his 40s; or, her first date with Henry. For him, their first date will be when they're both in their 20s; at this point, she has spent half her life with her future time traveling husband. He's never met her.
But I am doing this book a gross inservice. It isn't really about time travel, though it provides an interesting springboard into the heart of the novel. Ultimately this is a story about love, and waiting, and hope for the future. It's a story about holding on to hope and its slight shadows in the future. Tremendously moving, heartbreaking, and redeeming.
I'm not too terribly eloquent today, though, so just go get the book and I'll reimburse you.
