The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger (2004, Paperback, Reprint)

An exhilirating, deeply touching book that will draw you in and won't let go. It's a unique tale about Henry and Clare, whose unusual meeting paves way for a highly romantic and unforgettable story about life and love.

Clare first meets Henry when she is six and he, thirty-six, but the first time Henry meets Clare is when he is twenty-eight and she is twenty. The story interweaves the notion of time-travel and uses it as a tool to make a truly memorable story of love. Both Henry and Clare are bound together by knowing that they are meant to be. They feel for each other, but it is intensified by them knowing that their future is there and it is all planned out. The books narrates the story of their lives as told by Henry and Clare, taking turns in telling their story - giving their own point of view of different events in their life. Though the story jumps timelines, from Henry and Clare's first meeting, their own childhood and married lives, to Henry's visits to the past and the future, it comes out as seamless, following the progression of their relationship from beginning to end.

Though basically a love story, it gives you more than just romance (though the romantic aspect of it alone is enough for a truly good read ) - it tackles the aspects of family, marriage and friendships - as well as a philosophical view of life and meaning. Henry, being a time-traveler is plagued by knowing events that will pass, but is unable to change them despite his ability to be able to time travel. Causation, from his experience - runs forward. He can't change what is about to happen when he is in the past - as it already has happened. The only reason why he goes to the past is that he already has and it contributes to the future. Though he feels trapped knowing a future that he cannot change - he partly accepts this and at times is relieved, knowing that his future will not change, especially with the knowledge that Clare will always be there.

I highly recommend this book, as it really gives a nice twist to your usual story of romance and love - which is executed quite well. It is endearing and heartwarming and you'll fall in love with the story, and the characters, whom you'll feel very close to. Heartbreaking but truly excellent, once you've , finished reading, you'll find yourself wanting to read parts of the book again and again. Had we world enough and time, we'd enjoy moments like what Henry and Clare had shared.

I loved the concept of two people meeting at so many different stages in their lives. I bought it because the advertising for the movie intrigued me. It is a beautiful love story. The dynamics of falling in love, soul mates, time travel, family, illness, make a unique story. It is so well told; I even had dreams about it. An unforgettable book.