TTW-Discussion pg 270- 370

[kah]

Again, Henry from another time saves the day. This time he gets his wife pregnant after his present self has a vasectomy.

[Strider]

I thought it was amusing when a future Henry told Clare that she would get pregnant despite Henry's "best efforts" to prevent it. I knew exactly what was coming when he said that.

[kah]

I was actually kind of surprised that it was written the way it was, though. It felt kind of wrong, them doing the deed while the present Henry is sleeping right next to them. I know it's not technically cheating, since all the Henrys are still Henry, but still.... It was a little yucky.

The miscarriages are awful. They are very vague and dark, and hard to read. I keep thinking I am reading a dream sequence, because it reads that way, and bam! another miscarriage.

[Al-Dog]

I also thought that was a little creepy. It seemed like he was cheating on himself.

I wonder if they ever had a Ménage a 'tros? What would you call it if two of the people are the same person?

Also, in the previous section when the two 15 year old versions were doing . . . something. Would that be gay or just the ultimate masturbation?

[neglet]

Yeah, that bit was a little creepy, but it helps illustrate Clare's character (or how time-traveling Henry has shaped her character) that she just accepts it.

This section was well done. I think Niffenegger did a great job of illustrating the frustrations and despair of infertility just through sketching a few scenes. I also find it interesting that as Henry gets older, he makes more exceptions to telling people about their future--at his wedding telling his friend Ben he was still alive ten years later, and telling Clare not to give up. As long as it inspires hope, he seems to make an exception. It makes me wonder what he wouldn't tell Gomez about when they first met, but I guess I haven't got to that part yet....