The Time Traveler's Wife
Science Fiction
Jonathan Cape
Jan 8 2004
Another debut novel by a new writer hits our shelves, once again we hold our breath in eager anticipation – is this the birth of a new Anita Diamant? – Unfortunately the answer is no.
Niffenegger’s concept is nearly brilliant and perhaps in the imagination of a slightly more experienced author, with a brilliant editor this book would have been great, as it is it’s quite simply a good first attempt.
Henry is a time traveller – he jumps back and forward throughout his own life and is only capable of visiting places he has already been, he has no control over when he will “go” and disturbingly enough he always arrives and returns stark naked; as he can take nothing from today with him. Therefore he manages to meet his wife when she is a mere child of 6, although not quite paedophilic it is somewhat disturbing. Clare (his wife of now) and the child of 6, 12, 15, 17 etc, seems to find a middle aged naked man turning up out of the blue every now and then completely normal and hugs her secret to herself!
The story is complicated and the reader would be forgiven for getting somewhat confused every now and then, unfortunately Niffenegger also seems to be confused and can’t explain some of the occurrences in this strange tale, therefore she diversifies into the beautiful landscape or some other sentimental clap trap to distract the reader from the fact that whatever happened is totally unexplainable and she for one will not be trying to attempt to decipher it!
Once again this is an example of a badly edited book, so often nowadays the editors with dollar signs in front of their eyes and visions of wondrous acclaim just demand the finished article and with nothing more than a cursory glance proceed to the publishing stage. I feel that with proper guidance and an editor sensible enough to realise that this story does not take over 500 pages to tell – Niffenegger could be a name we will hear more of.
Out of curiosity to see what else her incredible imagination will produce, I will buy her next book but that will be her last chance. 
