The Time Traveler's Wife - Audrey Niffenegger

Perhaps for the first time ever in our little book club, we had a consensus of general “liking” of our monthly book. “The Time Traveler’s Wife” by Audrey Niffenegger will probably not be an enduring classic, nor will it change your life through any profound message, but it will most definitely keep you flipping the pages. And perhaps, like myself, you will find that you read the entire book in one sitting and are glad that no one was around to see you still in your pajamas at the end of the day with tears streaming down your cheeks.

The first item of this book that caught my attention was the title. Before I started, I asked myself why the book would be about the time traveler’s wife, and not the time traveler. When we look at other fictional works about time travel, their themes typically draw from one of two ideas, either the physical possibility of time travel and how this is achieved (think “The Time Machine” by H.G. Wells) or the causal relationship between past and future (i.e. “Back to the Future” movie trilogy). Niffenegger explores neither. We get a sliver of an explanation of the characters condition, namely, that he has a genetic condition that allows for his spontaneous time travels. As a group, we felt that this didn’t really add much to the story. (Although Erin really liked the disappearing mice!) Additionally, Niffenegger makes a strong point of not exploring the issue of whether or not one can change the future by altering the past. Partly, by making it impossible for the characters to do things differently even with knowledge of the outcome. So what, pray tell, is the point of time travel in this book? Niffenegger uses time travel as a means to build upon the theme of longing, as well as to provide a template for a fascinating study in character development.

The book’s title, “The Time Traveler’s Wife”, indicates that this is not a story about time travel, but in fact a book about it’s affects on others. Because of their unique situation, Clare is able to experience feelings from a bygone era, true, desperate longing. At times, the author all but hits you over the head with bird imagery pointing to this theme, but you will see Clare’s longing as a steady condition throughout the book. As a child, longing for the days when Henry will be with her. As an adult, longing for him to come home from his sudden absences. I think very few of us know this type of hopelessness. We live in a world that allows for instantaneous information of all sorts. Worry is almost obsolete because we have cell phones and e-mail, and 24-hour news coverage, etc. We have such vast knowledge of events that we seldom get to the point of real longing.

The second way Niffenegger uses time travel, is to really dive into unique character development. The omniscient role switches about halfway through the book. First, it’s Henry who knows what the future holds, and he helps shape Clare into the woman she will become. Then, as they meet in the present, there is a complete reversal. Clare is then the one who knows what Henry is like in the future, and helps him to become the man he will be. Because of this omniscience, the characters grow in ways unlike anything in the real world. Sometimes it is liberating for them because they have very specific experiences that they can wait for. For example, once Henry has seen their daughter in the future, it eases some of the pain of Clare’s barren womb. At the same time, in can be debilitating for both of them, because their sense of free-will is gone. If you are always trying to become the person that someone knows you to be, it is hard to just be the person you are.

The last point I will make is regarding the author’s subtle reference near the end of the book about Clare as the time traveler. In a sense this is true. Clare sort of does her own time traveling by going back to an era, when one really had no way of knowing if or when a loved one would be coming home; for her, longing is “time-traveling”. It is also evident in her coping. Clare is a “time traveler” for she is not content to live in her own time, but rather dwells on past events or looks forward to a future time.

Junkie - William S. Burroughs

First, we want to welcome two new members: Monica, and Andie. Monica is attending the meetings in person; Andie, however, lives in Albany and is a member in spirit - hopefully a spirit that contributes her own comments on these books as we read them.

I don't think anyone disliked the book, though I think that each person got something different out of it. The most distinct overall impression was a surprise at the matter-of-fact-ness that Burroughs had about the whole thing. There was no judging, no condemnation, just "this is the way it is." This is a refreshing difference from modern "drug-culture" literature which either seeks to glorify or vilify the users and the drugs.

Like I said, we each took something a little different out of it. For some of us, it was a bit eye-opening to see the drug culture at work like this. Having just read Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test, this book presents an interesting picture about the drug sub-culture in middle part of the 1900s. Where, when this book was written in 1950 NO ONE talked about these things, by the time Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test was written in the mid-60s it was fairly common and well-known. To this end, the glossary at the end of the book was an interesting artifact of a less hip generation that needed everything spelled out. But, in the end, it was a bit interesting to see how easily Burroughs slips in and out of the drug culture. He gets into drugs almost by happenstance, and then just quits when it gets too dull and repetitive (though, to be fair, he did "quit" to go to South America in search of better drugs).

Personally, what I found most interesting was the institutional and governmental reaction to and handling of the drug users and addicts. Surprisingly, it was both more tolerant and more strict. It was more tolerant in that institutions existed where these people could turn themselves and clean up; even it was just a cover to get free synthetic drugs, these could have been treated as legitimate rehab institutions. Now, these programs are very difficult to enter as drugs are being further and further vilified and the users are choosing "home remedies" rather than risk humiliation or worse if they turn themselves in. On the other hand, the regimens were far more strict than today. They didn't work with you, you either committed to their schedule or you left. Today these programs are tailored to each individual; which, while it may be "more effective" is also FAR more costly. Also, interestingly, these programs WERE run by the government - now, most of these programs are run either by underground non-profits getting money by claiming more "legitimate" purposes or by private organizations; in any event state or federal entities are not, for the most part, running these organizations.

Finally, Erin had some interesting observations on the "interrelationship" of all of the primary characters. While she can probably recall it better than I can, I believe that Burroughs' "male love interest" in the book (and in real life) ended up being Ginsberg's "male love interest" in real life, and was ultimately the publisher of the book. Though, in all of that, he was hesitant to emphasize, and even edited out, much of the homosexual content of the book. Frankly, it's probably for the better, because that content became part of another book "Queer" and it left this book's focus relatively narrow.

We did not read Ginsberg's "Howl" aloud; consideration for the fellow patrons of the coffee shop militated against such activity. However, most were surprised at how "non-controversial" and, indeed, trivial much of the subject matter of that poem has become. I find it interesting less as a cultural artifact, but more as the lamentations of the poet. Clearly he's pissed off. And I'm all for a bit yelling and screaming - especially when it's directed at the nefarious "man."

Hopefully others can add their comments.

Upcoming Books

I know, we're still a little behind on the reviews. But here are the upcoming books:

August - Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis
September - Junky by William S. Burroughs, Howl by Allen Ginsberg
October - The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger
November - Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
December - The Jungle Books by Rudyard Kipling

When We Last Left You

... we were next to read Edwidge Danticat's "Dew Breaker." Ms. Danticat is considered one of those young "up-and-comers" in the literary universe. She's been nominated for a few awards, won a few minor awards, been mentioned for future awards and received the Oprah Winfrey seal of approval. We thought the book was "eh."

The story tells of a young adult who finds out that her father isn't really what he's been proclaiming to be. That he tortured people under a corrupt Haitian regime before fleeing with the lady who would become his wife. He has lived his life quietly ever since.

As a story, we all agreed it was a pretty good one. However, the style seemed a little underdeveloped. It was sort of like watching a really good movie that's being directed by a young filmmaker. It has all the right ideas, but Ms. Danticat doesn't really make it flow right. If this were a first book I might be a little more forgiving. But it's her third. Granted she's "prolific" but maybe she should slow down and focus on solid editing.

In any event, if I remember correctly, at this discussion we never really got on track to get to some of the moral issues presented. We were more interested in debating whether the protagonist should have been escorted out or simply tossed out unceremoniously when she showed up to the house without the artwork.

Holy Moly! It's been 3 months

Yes, we've been meeting. Yes, we have been discussing books. No, I haven't been posting to our blog. I keep meaning to do so. "Oh, crap! I haven't talked about Point Counter Point. Or Mermaid Chair. Or Unbearable Lightness of Being. Boy, I suck," has gone through my head at least once or twice a week. But never fear, we have been meeting. As for what we have read, here is a quick run down:

Point Counter Point by Aldous Huxley - There's a reason why he's considered a great author. He is one. The book is an interwoven tale of several groups of people shedding light on society ranks, money, morality, and marriage. It can be a little confusing at first, especially when you don't really have a handle on who is who, but I really enjoyed it. It's long, and he uses words that I've never even seen let alone use on a consistent basis. Nonetheless, highly recommended.

The Mermaid Chair by Sue Monk Kidd - Truthfully, I really disliked this book so my summary is biased. It was essentially a romance novel with cleverly named characters and everything. The widow-monk named Whit; psychologist husband, both ruggedly handsome, of course; sex scenes on a hidden riverbank, the whole she-bang. After The Secret Life of Bees, we had high hopes. We were let down.

The Unbearable Lightness of Being by Milan Kundera - Well, I didn't like it, and the others hadn't finished reading it so I am withholding judgment until more people can give a full opinion of it. It is full of "Hey, this is a novel! Remember, these characters aren't real" moments. The character themselves were interesting, but I felt the author kept getting in the way of the story and the point of the book by trying to make sure we understood the story and the point of the book. Hopefully, others will let me know their thoughts so I can give a better overall view of this book.

Next up: Dew Breaker by Edwidge Danticat.

Updates

Due to the postponement of discussion for Point Counter Point, we will be discussing The Mermaid Chair by Sue Monk Kidd. In addition, we are now meeting on the fourth Wednesday of the month instead of the third so that will be Feb. 28th. Why, you ask? Well, because Mocha Moment is getting a second night of open mic. They asked if we don't mind going to another Wednesday. Of course not! Our arbitrariness has no boundaries. So (drum roll, please) we will now meet on the last Wednesday of the month starting Feb. 28th with The Mermaid Chair. Woo-hoo!

Tonight delayed one month

Sorry for the crazy late notice, but due to circumstances beyond my control (Read: holidays and smoke damage from stupid plumber downstairs), we have to delay book club one month. So Point Counter Point is now for January. I am sorry for any inconvenience. Please come in January. I promise we will be extra-specially interesting.