Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Book Review: The Time Traveler's Wife


Don't worry, no spoilers here. 

Here is my honest take on the book that took up too much of my time...


Gripe #1: Too much detail in the bedroom scenes. Enough said on that one.

Gripe #2: Too much swearing. And words used in ways that are derogatory to my senses.

Gripe #3: Lack of character development. From the author’s description, I had a hard time feeling that either of them loved each other for more than their lusty impulses, especially the last half of the book. I found an emotional flatline in the text.

Gripe #4: Too lengthy/too wordy. Not enough meat to merit the number of pages.

The One Merit: Because I have a great relationship with my husband & children, I was genuinely able to connect with the feelings they might have had for one another through their various trials & tribulations. The tears I shed over this book came in no way from the author’s depiction of Clare & Henry’s relationship, but rather through my own imagination of me & my husband going through it. So I guess the merit comes from the fact that my emotions were actually stirred by this book. But then again, if you stay up until 6 a.m. to finish it like I did, wouldn’t you be crying out of sheer exhaustion at the end anyway?

On a side note, do any of my fellow readers know of a book rating site that rates the levels of sex, drugs, profanity, etc.?

8 comments:

Mary J said...

I have to agree with you here. Kudos for actually finishing the book. I lasted 3 or 4 chapters and couldn't keep going. Who knows why it's gotten such acclaim? I love your "Wicked" soundtracks, btw.

Megan said...

let me know if you find a website with ratings, books SHOULD be rated imo!

Deb said...

I hope someone knows of a website like that because I would really use it. Some books I've read lately that I have really enjoyed..."The Glass Castle" by Jeanette Walls, and "These is My Words" by I can't remember the author. I miss the Lawrence book group because these are books I would have wanted to discuss with them.

Jessica said...

yeah, I didn't like the book much for mainly reason #1. What the?! Is that really necessary.

I didn't want to assume that you wouldn't like it because of that either, that's why I didn't say much when you announced you'd be reading it.

I did hear the movie is actually way better than the book, which is rare.

I'm not sure of any rating system?? It would be interesting to find, since we are encouraged to avoid inappropriate media and we have the MPAA rating system to help us with that, but yes there's nothing for book. Maybe? I'm just not aware of it.

Anne Marie said...

Commonsensemedia.org is an excellent website for parents. You can get info on the profanity and sexuality of many books and movies that kids might be interested in. There are lots of adult movies reviewed there too. I wish they had more adult books reviewed there. The only thing I can think to do is to try to read many of the reviews on Amazon to see if you can get a sense of the audience for the book. I really wish there was such a website that could help us with books...I'll keep my eyes out and let you know if I discover anything.

Anne Marie said...

Hey, friend, I discovered something that might be helpful. If you go on www.bn.com (Barnes and Noble's site), look up a book and then click on "detailed rating-see all" and then it will give you some adjectives that describe the book. For instance, "Time Traveler's Wife" had many people describing it as "sensual". Might be helpful.

Michelle said...

thanks, anne marie! funny you mention commonmedia - peter just told me about that one last night as one he recommends to parents as well. i guess it always pays to check with the hubs! i'll check out that bn site as well!! thanks!

Sariah said...

I could have written this review, although not as proficiently as you! I felt the same way and was seriously disappointed! Haven't even watched the movie b.c the book just wasn't doin' it for me. Do recommend the other books a previous commenter suggested.