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Monday 3 August 2009

The Time Travellers Wife

book cover: wikipedia

I've just started seeing adverts for the film of the time travellers wife, a book by Audrey Niffenegger. I'm worried its going to ruin it for me if I go and see it. This is one of the only books I've ever read that I've cried at after reading, it is beautiful and wonderful and lovely. If you havn't read it do. I'm still thinking about seeing the film, I just think it looks too hollywoodified? Is this out in the states yet? has anyone seen it? I so want it to be good, but really? is it? opinions or reviews, please?

10 comments:

  1. I feel exactly the same way, I don't think I'll see the film because from the trailer it looks awful! Too schmaltzy and romancy. It needs to be more drama/delicate, needs a good director, the director hasn't directed anything decent. Also Eric Bana is not how I see Henry, Ingrid is left out who I think is an important part of the book. I love the book, think it's only one of two books I've cried at too! Don't think it's out anywhere until next week, may be wrong. But unless I hear all glowing reviews, I won't be watching!

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  2. Oh I'm so glad someone else thinks the same! I'msure rachel Mcadams is good, but shes a bit too sugar coated for me, plus I've only seen her in the wedding crashers which isn't the best thing for making me want to love her. This is what niffenegger said about her book becoming a film (from wiki again)

    'I've got my little movie that runs in my head. And I'm kind of afraid that will be changed or wiped out by what somebody else might do with it. And it is sort of thrilling and creepy, because now the characters have an existence apart from me.'

    which is kind of sad really. :( I think this might be another captain corelli's mandolin. Damn you Nicholas Cage. de Bernieres is the only other writer to make me cry.

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  3. oh god. well, after reading this yesterday, i did go and watch the trailer. and the casting has struck me as all wrong. Clare is a redhead and Henry just isn't Eric Bana. it's so tricky when books you love get taken over by movie folk. what a shame! it could be an amazing film. but there needs to be a balance of light and shade, the story isn't at all schmaltzy in the first place is it? anyway, to console myself i have started to reread the book, my third time, and it's unputdownable.

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  4. Nath, you put it so much better than I ever could, or had the balls to, I think I'm still a little afraid of getting shot down in flames. I have to say its Rachel Mcadams that bugs me the most. she had attitude in the books, she was sassy and quirky and strange, and yes, a redhead! and you've inspired me now too, once I've finished Harry Potter 6 (again to overly deconstruct and analyse the film) I might read this again!

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  5. Hello, I have just discovered your blog and its lovely to find another british bride to be.

    Anyway, back to the point! I loved the book too, thought it was slightly weird but wonderful and a fantastic story. But I proably will go and see the film as curiousity always gets the better of me! Although I never made it to see My Sisters Keeper, another book I liked, so we will see.

    ps. Im also re-reading Harry Potter 6 after the film (they missed out lots!!!)

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  6. I know! they missed out a ton, I've just got to christmas and Its about halfway through, rather tan ten minutes in! Also, I tried to find my copy of the Time travellers wife to lendto my friend yesterday and I can't find it! I always lend out my favourite books because I want people to read it, but then this happens and I don't know where they are!

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  7. I have been having exactly the same thoughts!! I had been looking forward to the film but am very torn as to whether to see it or not. It looks to me like they are selling it as a women's weepy which is so far removed from the book. I was recommended The Time Traveller's Wife originally by a male friend and I think it is a truly universal story that appeals to anyone regardless of gender - my husband loved it and so did my father. The book is also dark and frightening in places and not constantly sunlit and romantic. If the film is what the trailer makes it out to be then it seems they have just focused on the light and not the shade which is a huge missed opportunity. Of course trailers can completely misrepresent a film but right now I am leaning more towards giving it a miss.

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  8. I had a panic at the weekend, I wanted to lend my friend my copy of TTTW because i knew she would love it, and i couldn't find it anywhere. I always do this with my favourite books, lend them out til I can't find it any more. eventually tracked it down, I want to read it again myself now, but i'm on Harry Potter at the moment. If any of you do go to see this though do tell me what its like, I just dont think I want to spoil the book for myself!

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  9. I am so there - I was saying to my friend just over the weekend that I didnt think I could bring myself to see the film precisely because the book moved me so much - I don't want the film to take that away. But also, I'm slightly worried that the film will make me cry either as much or more than the book did! Oh it's just so sad - it feels like emotional torture re-reading it, and yet I always do, and despite knowing the ending I still sit there thinking "no, please don't go, please don't go" and welling up instantly. no other book has ever made me cry this much...

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  10. I loved the book and cried. But had forgotten how much the story affected me unti I found myself last night on a very rare evening out with other friends who are Mums and have NO social life going to see the film. The minute it started I knew that I would be crying and sure enough I had to stop myself from absolutely bawling. It does miss out a lot from the book and concentrates on the relationship between Claire and Henry. I did enjoy it, but I think this is because I had quite low expectations of it. If you try to watch it on its own merits then I think you may enjoy it. But the book is just so good that I truly think that any film version of it would struggle.

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