Niffenegger, frustrated in love when she began the work, wrote the story as a metaphor for her failed relationships. The tale's central relationship came to her in a flash one day and subsequently became the novel's title.
The novel, which has been classified as both science fiction and romance, examines issues of love, loss, and free will.
In particular, it uses time travel to explore miscommunication and distance in relationships. It also investigates deeper existential questions.
As a first-time novelist, Niffenegger had trouble finding a literary agent. She eventually sent the novel to MacAdam/Cage unsolicited and, after an auction took place for the rights, Niffenegger selected them as her publisher. It became a bestseller after an endorsement from author and family friend Scott Turow on The Today Show, and as of March 2009 had sold nearly 2.5 million copies in the United States and the United Kingdom. Many reviewers were impressed with Niffenegger's unique perspective on time travel. Some praised her characterization of the couple, applauding their emotional depth; others criticized her writing style as melodramatic and the plot as emotionally trite.
Audrey Niffenegger dyed her hair Clare-red to say "goodbye" to the novel after she had finished writing it.
The novel won the Exclusive Books Boeke Prize and a British Book Award. A film version starring Rachel McAdams and Eric Bana is scheduled for release in August 2009.
All from scratch!
17 comments:
As a fan of Time travelling and romance, this is right up my alley.
Thanks for the reccomandation Penny.
I will be reading this book and seeing the movie. PenPen - stop by to check out my last post and article on....can you guess??? KATY PERRY!!!! Let me know what you think. Hugs, D (great music here today, btw!)
I'm so behind... need to read the book and I need to see the film. The trailer looks phenomenal.
Also, your pear tart and meringue cookies look deeelish... George never helps me in the kitchen either. What's with these cats today?
This book is next on my list. I won't let myself see the movie before reading the book!
i think i have this book! i think! i have so many books at home that i lose track! but i'll move it up in the pecking order!
oh. and hi jasmine!
One of my favorites! I am scared to see the movie! AND her new book is about GHOSTS... and I write ghost stories, so here's hoping ghosts are the new vampires!
No. Just "no."
Great review!
Eric Bana...yum.
thanks for checking on me. You're sweet. I'm doing ok. It's just being a very busy summer for me. I keep thinking I'll be able to get to blogging, but I keep not making it. I should be back when things settle back down to a regular schedule. Maybe I should do another "where is lotusgirl?" segment. I hope your summer is going well.
Thanks for the review. This is a book I haven't read yet, and I keep picking it up and thinking I'd enjoy it. Now I know I would.
I have the book, and it's next on my to-read list. I'm intrigued!
I'm so excited about the film! I hope it's as good as the book. Fingers crossed...
I've heard of this book. Sounds super interesting!
Yum on the pear tart. I don't like to cook, but baking from scratch is SO fun. ;-)
Thank you for the book tip :)
Oh my, that pear tart and those lime meringue cookies look divine!!
I read this book back in 2003 when it debuted based on the recommendation of a very enthused clerk at the bookstore. Thank god. Since then, I have re-read the books many times and am still just as in love with it as I was then.
I am worried about the film, however. Though I am very happy with the casting (I heart Rachel McAdams especially) all of the previews look rather cheesy - in particular, the effect they are using for the actual time traveling.
You are right though, EVERYONE should read this book. I am still shocked that there are people out there who haven't. Go Now!
I think I have that book on my to-read list (or I should say, lists), but I'm going to add it again just in case.
Thanks for the background information, the book's publication has a very interesting back story.
So excited to see the movie. The trailers make me tear up. (I'm a big sap). thanks for the history lesson on the book. It's fun to learn about other's experiences.
I liked this book--I hope the movie is as good.
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