The Time Traveler’s Wife
Tuesday, November 15, 2005
Every so often a book falls from the sky - a happy surprise filled with such a compelling world you can’t put it down. Audrey Niffenegger’s book, The Time Traveler’s Wife, is just such a novel. Despite the fact that the LSAT is just around the corner, I couldn’t put this book down. It’s that good.
On one level it’s a science fiction story about Henry De Tamble - a Chicago librarian with “chrono-displacement” disorder. At random times, he suddenly disappears without warning only to find himself in the past or future, usually at a time or place of emotional importance in his life.
On another level it’s a love story about Henry’s relationship with Clare, who leads a chronologically normal life. The two of them meet in “real time” when Clare is 20 and Henry is 28; however, she’s known him - a much older-version, that is - since she was a little girl. For years, she’s known he was her future husband, so by the time she actually meets the real-time Henry (who’s a little befuddled at this strange girl rushing up to him in the Chicago library), Clare practically has their wedding already planned out.
The story follows the lovers across a timeline shaped like a Mobius strip, alternating between their viewpoints. They do their best to live normal lives, going after the American Dream of steady jobs, witty friends and children of their own.
As you can imagine, The Time Traveler’s Wife has the potential to bend your mind with cosmic philosophies that pretzel-twist logic and reality. It’s probably the only novel I’ve ever read which turns discussions about free will and determinism into page-turning entertainment.
The Time Traveler’s Wife is not a Christmas story, but it is the perfect read for the holiday. Like the emotions of the season it will leave you laughing, crying, and babbling incoherently to your family and friends who will, no doubt, attempt to steal the book away when you aren’t looking. Be warned. Buy that special someone their own copy - now.
Talk to the Hand
Thursday, November 10, 2005
My English-major-geekness found no end of pleasure when Lynn Truss’s book Eats, Shoots & Leaves sold three million copies worldwide and was crowned USA Today’s Book of the Year in 2004.
Truss, a British newspaper columnist and radio host, tackles a new subject - the abismal state of manners - in her latest book Talk to the Hand: The Utter Bloody Rudeness of the World Today, or Six Good Reasons to Stay Home and Bolt the Door.
Other reviews have regarded the book as a bit less focused than her previous one, but entertaining nonetheless. Personally, I’m glad to see she’s taken on the subjects of cell phones, automated switch boards, the “universal eff-off reflex,” active disrespect for authority, and basic niceties such as “please” and “thank you.”
Can’t we at least try pretending to be polite, and see what happens?
Elements of Style
Thursday, October 27, 2005
Every English major knows Strunk and White’s classic writing manual, Elements of Style. Considering that more than 10 million copies have sold since its first publication in 1957, you might be wondering why I’m writing about it now.
It turns out that a new illustrated edition has just been released. Admitedly, I haven’t even seen it yet, but I can only guess at the pictures that might accompany the admonition to use the word “nice” sparingly and that the word “unique” never comes with a qualifier (very, most) because “there can be no degrees of uniqueness.”
If you don’t own a copy yet, buy it, study it, enjoy it. It’s as timeless as a book can be in our age of volubility.
The Mountain Has Cast Its Shadow
Tuesday, July 12, 2005
In light of the accident this weekend, I thought I’d post a reminder about a great book by Maria Coffey - Where the Mountain Casts Its Shadow. I posted a review earlier this year. If you’re searching for some thoughts about pursuing a dangerous passion and its effect on those left behind, I’d recommend picking this book up.
Spokesongs
Monday, May 16, 2005
I approached Willie Weir’s book Spokesongs with great enthusiasm. I love the open road, especially when seeing it by bicycle, and the idea of reading tales of his bicycle travels through the war-torn Balkans, post-apartheid South Africa, and the eternal chaos of India appealed to my need for armchair adventure.
Although it was not what I expected, I certainly was not disappointed. The book is a fast-reading collection of story chunklets that are easily read two or three at a time when waiting for the tea kettle to boil.
His style is so absorbing and personal that I often found myself surprised at the end of each chapter to find myself sitting at the kitchen table in Kirkland instead of bouncing along on the back of his bike.
Hang tight to this poet/guide and you will be given an inspiring glimpse, not so much of the differences between people and cultures, but rather of the humanity we all share.
Be forewarned: After reading this book, you will probably find yourself dusting off that old bike in your garage and going for a ride, even if it is just a spin around the block.