In the novel the Time Travelers’ Wife the two main character Clare and Henry obviously have a very strong initial attraction, which progresses into a passionate love as the story moves on. Even though Henry had never met Clare in his life, as far as he could remember, she clearly knew him and was overjoyed by finding him.
“[T]his astoundingly beautiful amber-haired tall slim girl turns around and looks at me as though I am her personal Jesus.” (Niffenegger 9)
This quote from the beginning of the book kicks off the early romance blooming between Henry and Clare. And exemplifies Henry thoughts on her, and shows his interest as being quite strong. And Clare also knows exactly who he is, and is done waiting through the pre-determined 2 years without seeing Henry.
“”I’m Clare Abshire. I knew you when I was a little girl,” and invites me to dinner.”
(Niffenegger 9)
Henry’s first meeting Clare is in this conversation, though by a technicality she’s known him for 14 years. This is where the time travelling immediately draws you in and is the instant chemistry that binds them together within the first 15 pages of the story. As the story progresses the writing style is very unique in the fact that Audrey Niffenegger actually separates both characters personal point of views with different parts of the book. The lives of both are lived separately on the pages alternating between Henry and Clare and how each person feels about what is happening at the time the other is having a conversation with them. This adds a different way of reading and understanding the character because now, we really get down to who the character is and can see what is happening with each person’s life. It is not the most common writing style but it is definitely the most interesting and connective I’ve ever read. With the book being written in a post-modern style it adds a tone to the book, which is absent in most others. But it also ties in with the roots of literature, through Shakespeare’s plays and texts having each character talk at a time and having asides seeing how the character feels.
As the story progresses so does the characters. With the mentioned writing style being as effective as it is, you can see how each character grows as a person, grows to each other, and what will come of the life they are going to live. Throughout the novel Henry and Clare live in the present day but Henry always time travels away which causes problems for their relationship at times but things always correct themselves. The real connection between Hery and Clare is the stories that are shared between the two that no one knows about the other. Clare already knows everything about Henry and this draws Henry closer to her. But is it a problem for one person in a relationship to know everything bout the other while the other has to learn about them as they share? It is a critic that comes up amongst most readers though I see it as a story and a technique that is very similar to real life or at least other novels. It is similar to that of the classic; boy next door or girl next door. They know each other but not necessarily everything, and learn more, as they grow closer.
Henry – The male lead and frankly a mess of a man, who works as a library assistant in his local library. His life has consisted of drinking and woman. But this is in his past; unfortunately for him he can time travel. This “disease” is at the time only found in him, chrono-displacement. Henry has lived a very difficult life and his present isn’t the greatest. He had a recent break-up with a long time girlfriend, has trouble controlling himself around alcohol, and is constantly reminded he is not the son his father expected, and his mother passed away when he was 5. However his future has hope and her name is Clare, a girl his future self has known since she was 6, so she’s knows him for 14 years. Will she be able to help show him the man he could and, if willing to, will become.
Clare – The female lead in the story. Clare is a beautiful 20-year-old woman who works as an artist and comes from a very wealthy family. She has grown up knowing a man initially 6 times her age, and was told to keep a secret from everyone she knows. Most little girls would know not to trust strangers, but the magic of time travelling secured her trust. She knows the man she loves and will eventually marry him, however the man she thought she knew exist in an alternate time. She is immediately in love with Henry even at first glance. Will she be able to truly love him, even though he isn’t exactly who she grew up knowing?
