TTW- Discussion, Prologue-pg 102

[kah]

Ok, if you haven't gotten this far, then don't read on. If anyone has a different idea for dividing the book, feel free to do so.

























I think Niffenegger does an amazing job with description. I actually feel like I am watching Henry and Clare, and experiencing what they are feeling. I like Clare the first time we meet her, and find that I like her even more as I see glimpses of her childhood through Henry. I like how even though Henry jumps back and forth in age and time, it's not confusing.

Young Henry... I feel sad for him, losing his innocence at his own hands.

As for the teenaged Clare... poor girl doesn't get to experience the whole of her teen years. Now, on one hand, that's a great thing. She doesn't get caught up with boys and ruin her life. On the other hand, she has this mystery man she can't tell her girlfriends about, and can't even be intimate with because he is always much older than her. She is treated like a freak at school, and yet she puts up with it because she knows her future is going to be worth it. That's a lot of faith to have in someone who just pops in here and there.

I'd like to add one thing. When a young girl has her trust in her fellow man trampled upon, how great it would be to have a Henry to avenge the hurt. I'm glad Clare had that, and wish that all of us had someone like him in our lives, even for just that one moment. I cheered with the girls in the locker room.

[Strider]

Okay, where is page 102 in your book? In my copy it seems to be a random page in the middle of nowhere. Is that right before the "Christmas Eve" chapters start? If so, that is page 107 in my book.

Anyway, I agree with you. You do feel like you are watching Henry and Clare. I also like how the writing style changes with the POV of the characters (this is especially noticable with a very young Clare).

I was also "cheering" with the girls in the locker room. The whole section leading up to that scene was very good.

I am definitely hooked so far. FYI, I am currently on page 117, and I can't wait to finish it (the page and the book). :D

[kah]

Pg 102 in mine is right after the scene in the locker room. I thought about ending before that scene, but once I read what they did to that ******* I didn't want to stop. I thought that even though it was in the middle of a "chapter" that it was a good point to take a break, where there was an emotional situation and a resolution.

[Strider]

I guess that might make sense.

I also want to mention that I loved the tiny little segment where Henry kisses Clare's scar, and she says, "Thank you." It was short, but very touching.

[Al-Dog]

I picked the book up on Monday, and just finished the section under discussion (page 107 in my version).

I must say that I'm enjoying this book a lot more than I thought I would. I like the way the characters interact at their various ages.

I realize that the main theme of the book is their relationship, but I wonder what percent of the time that Henry travels, does he go to times and places where Clare is not around.

It seems that every time he time travels, he goes back near the time and place he has just left, I guess that would help him live a somewhat normal life.

[kah]

Maybe, but you still have to remember the naked thing. And the fact that it can happen at any time. He's just lucky his passion was to be a librarian and not, well, not any job that deals with people consistently. Can you imagine?

[Kaeos]

Well, my library finally got it's copy back so I am off and running, I'm not as far as you guys, hope to catch up this weekend. I"m early on where he meets hi 5 year old self at the museum.

I have to agree with Al-Dog, I am pleasently suprised so far. I was worried that the tone was going to be too close to that of a romance novel and not keep my attention. So far so good.

I will say this - I am having a hard time distinguishing Clair's voice from Henry's. You know what I mean?

[kah]

I've had that problem here and there. I try to make an effort to really pay attention to who's talking. I actually didn't expect it to be a romance novel, but was pleasantly surprised by the tone.

[Kaeos]

I have 1 additonal bitch as I approach page 100.

Okay.

If you are going to attempt to tell a story from a first person perspective, and that perspective is going to be the opposite sex, you need to be able to speak (or write in this case) in the voice of the opposite sex.

Sorry, but the observation made would never happen in what we've seen laid out as the "man" named Henry:

From the pick pocket lessons, Henry marks a young mother and is describing her

"My hand is in her purse, she's flustered, she has dark eyes and long hair, large breasts, she's still trying to lose the weight she gained having the kid."

I don't mean to be crass, but frankly, guys don't think this way. If the author of this verse were a man, you'd not see that last line. Guys just aren't that...deep. Even sensitive ones like me.

Don't get me wrong, I see a lot of male authors stmble through trying to express the inner thoughts of female characters with all the finesse of a hammer. :ohwell:

[Al-Dog]

OK, here’s how a guy would have described her;

“Nice tits, a little chubby, but I’d do her.”
:wink:

[Kaeos]

Umm.....

Pretty much,

Yeah.

Or since Henry does seem to have a soft streak perhaps instead of the comment about losing the baby weight, which, again, most guys don't even make those types of associations - perhaps Henry might have said:

"She could stand to lose a few"

Anyways - reading on.....

[Strider]

I don't remember how old Henry was in that scene...I'd have to go back and look. However, if he was in his 40s, it might have something to with things that happen later on.

[neglet]

Finally picked up the book yesterday, and I'm very pleased at how there is a clever yet consistent logic to Henry's time travels. I like how it's exploring ideas of free will and predestination--I mean, who hasn't thought once in a while that they wished they could have told their younger self everything will be okay, don't be so down?

And I really like the relationship between Henry and Clare. It's unusual that you would have a relationship where both partners get a chance to be the "teacher," so we're really getting a broad picture of how they interact. I also like the foreshadowing that things aren't always great between them--I'm only around p. 120, so I'm not sure what's happening (that's for the next thread), but it sounds complex. I like complex, and I'm having trouble putting this book down!

[Strider]

I'm glad you are enjoying it neglet. IMHO, the best part of the book is this first section.
:D