Saturday, May 8, 2010
Saturday, May 1, 2010
Time 151-200
Summary
Henry is 28 and 33. Henry, 28, takes Clare, 20, out to dance. At the dance Clare runs into Henry's old fame who is still broken up over their relationship. Clare is confused and upset when Henry, 33, appears. He has a talk with her about the situation and explains that the life he was living was before he even knew about her. And tells her that it's now her turn to be the teacher and help straighten him up.
Next, it's Christmas Eve and Clare, 20, is taking Henry, 28, to meet her parents. Everyone likes Henry and he seems familiar to some of them. They have encountered an older Henry in the past on one of this time traveling trips. Clare's mother makes a scene over the fact that Mark (Clare's brother) has gotten a girl pregnant and is getting married. Later Clare reveals to Henry that her mother suffers from depression. Henry suddenly finds himself feeling out of the loop, wishing that Clare had communicated these things to him beforehand.
During mass Henry time travels to the future and meets himself four days later and tells himself this is the only time traveling event he'll experience while at Clare's for Christmas.
We leave off with Henry, Clare, Alicia and Mark playing pool.
Questions
What do you think about Henry's comments on how he feels left in the dark with Clare not communicating everything to him?
What is your impression of Clare's family?
How has her family impacted who she is?
My thoughts
I found it interesting how Clare is now the "teacher." How she is there to help Henry get his life together. She's so used to the mature Henry, her dream man. Right now, in the present, he's not the same person from her past, he doesn't meet her expectations. This is very realistic depiction of a relationship between a man and a woman. Traditionally you have the female who is taught to wait patiently for her dream man. For the male it is more acceptable for him to explore his sexuality. (This is also seen in the situation with Mark and Sharon. Mark's family, especially the mother, seems to look at Sharon as if she "got pregnant all by herself.") Poor Clare has to get to learn how to whip the young Henry in to shape, so to speak.
I also like how the tables have turned on Henry. Now he is the one who seems to be kept in the dark about things when before it was always Clare trying to solve the mystery of Henry. Now he's having to solve the mysteries of Clare.
Henry is 28 and 33. Henry, 28, takes Clare, 20, out to dance. At the dance Clare runs into Henry's old fame who is still broken up over their relationship. Clare is confused and upset when Henry, 33, appears. He has a talk with her about the situation and explains that the life he was living was before he even knew about her. And tells her that it's now her turn to be the teacher and help straighten him up.
Next, it's Christmas Eve and Clare, 20, is taking Henry, 28, to meet her parents. Everyone likes Henry and he seems familiar to some of them. They have encountered an older Henry in the past on one of this time traveling trips. Clare's mother makes a scene over the fact that Mark (Clare's brother) has gotten a girl pregnant and is getting married. Later Clare reveals to Henry that her mother suffers from depression. Henry suddenly finds himself feeling out of the loop, wishing that Clare had communicated these things to him beforehand.
During mass Henry time travels to the future and meets himself four days later and tells himself this is the only time traveling event he'll experience while at Clare's for Christmas.
We leave off with Henry, Clare, Alicia and Mark playing pool.
Questions
What do you think about Henry's comments on how he feels left in the dark with Clare not communicating everything to him?
What is your impression of Clare's family?
How has her family impacted who she is?
My thoughts
I found it interesting how Clare is now the "teacher." How she is there to help Henry get his life together. She's so used to the mature Henry, her dream man. Right now, in the present, he's not the same person from her past, he doesn't meet her expectations. This is very realistic depiction of a relationship between a man and a woman. Traditionally you have the female who is taught to wait patiently for her dream man. For the male it is more acceptable for him to explore his sexuality. (This is also seen in the situation with Mark and Sharon. Mark's family, especially the mother, seems to look at Sharon as if she "got pregnant all by herself.") Poor Clare has to get to learn how to whip the young Henry in to shape, so to speak.
I also like how the tables have turned on Henry. Now he is the one who seems to be kept in the dark about things when before it was always Clare trying to solve the mystery of Henry. Now he's having to solve the mysteries of Clare.
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Time 101-150
Summary
Clare is 16 and it's the first day after the incident in which she and Henry tied up her date who had beaten her. She is applauded by all the girls. We then flash to Clare at age 24 and Henry, 32 has just returned from the day of the incident. She thanks him and says that that is the only time they speak of it.
Next Henry, 36, tells about a time in 1988 where he and Clare, 17, are in the Orchard. She draws him and it's a drawing they actually end up hanging in their home.
Then it's Christmas Eve later that same year. Care is still 17, but Henry is 40 at this visit. He recalls the day his mother was killed in a car crash. He would have been killed too, only he time traveled before it could happen. Henry feels guilty about this. He also has time traveled to this event time and time again. Then we hear from Henry that day again, only he is in the present and 25 years old. He's remembering his mother's death again and gets dangerously drunk.
Next Henry 40 meets Clare, 17 and her blind grandmother in the meadow.
Now we go back to present time, 1991, Henry, 28, and Clare, 20. Henry is has dinner at Clare's and meets her friend Charisse and Charisse's boyfriend Gomez. Gomez doesn't seem to like Henry very much, but he is very fond of Clare, kind of protective of her.
Next it's December, 1991 and Tuesday, May 9, 2000, Henry is 36. Henry is in a fight with a guy who just happens to be Gomez's friend. Gomez interupts the fight and he and Henry end up going on a little walk together and have dinner. Over dinner Henry reveals to Gomez his secret and tells him that in the future the two are very good friends. Clare has also told Gomez the secret but Gomez doesn't believe until he sees Henry disappear.
The next day, Clare, 20, meets up with Gomez and they discuss what happened. Gomez, now a believer, is still weary of Clare and tells her she shouldn't marry Henry. Clare insists the two are already intertwined and that it's her destiny to marry him.
Questions
What do you think about the death of Henry's mother?
How has this influenced his view on time traveling, women, and life?
What was your first impression of Gomez?
What do you think about Gomez telling Clare she shouldn't marry Henry?
What do you think about Clare's reaction?
What are some scenes you loved?
My thoughts
I couldn't believe how Henry's mother was killed how horrible for a young child to experience such a thing. I think it must be very hard on him because he keeps reliving this moment, literally traveling back in time to the accident. How awful.
I did not like Gomez at first, but he grew on me. I think he likes Clare and wants to keep her from getting hurt. Being with Henry must be very difficult for Clare. I love how Clare's reaction is articulated. I've been in a relationship like this, not the time traveling part of course ;), but where I'm just so wrapped up in someone and they're wrapped up in me – we're intertwined, it seems like it's already done, we're destined for each other.
I loved the scene where Clare is drawing Henry. It's such a beautiful scene – how deep and concentrated she is in him and he in her. What love, it's been a long time since I've felt that way. ;(
I also like how Henry tells her he didn't know she was tracking his moods and Clare's response: "What else do I have to go on." Wow, that's a great line because it's so true about relationships especially those between a man and a woman. Sometimes communication just seems impossible and it's all a guessing game. That certainly is how it is for the young Clare when she's with Henry.
Clare is 16 and it's the first day after the incident in which she and Henry tied up her date who had beaten her. She is applauded by all the girls. We then flash to Clare at age 24 and Henry, 32 has just returned from the day of the incident. She thanks him and says that that is the only time they speak of it.
Next Henry, 36, tells about a time in 1988 where he and Clare, 17, are in the Orchard. She draws him and it's a drawing they actually end up hanging in their home.
Then it's Christmas Eve later that same year. Care is still 17, but Henry is 40 at this visit. He recalls the day his mother was killed in a car crash. He would have been killed too, only he time traveled before it could happen. Henry feels guilty about this. He also has time traveled to this event time and time again. Then we hear from Henry that day again, only he is in the present and 25 years old. He's remembering his mother's death again and gets dangerously drunk.
Next Henry 40 meets Clare, 17 and her blind grandmother in the meadow.
Now we go back to present time, 1991, Henry, 28, and Clare, 20. Henry is has dinner at Clare's and meets her friend Charisse and Charisse's boyfriend Gomez. Gomez doesn't seem to like Henry very much, but he is very fond of Clare, kind of protective of her.
Next it's December, 1991 and Tuesday, May 9, 2000, Henry is 36. Henry is in a fight with a guy who just happens to be Gomez's friend. Gomez interupts the fight and he and Henry end up going on a little walk together and have dinner. Over dinner Henry reveals to Gomez his secret and tells him that in the future the two are very good friends. Clare has also told Gomez the secret but Gomez doesn't believe until he sees Henry disappear.
The next day, Clare, 20, meets up with Gomez and they discuss what happened. Gomez, now a believer, is still weary of Clare and tells her she shouldn't marry Henry. Clare insists the two are already intertwined and that it's her destiny to marry him.
Questions
What do you think about the death of Henry's mother?
How has this influenced his view on time traveling, women, and life?
What was your first impression of Gomez?
What do you think about Gomez telling Clare she shouldn't marry Henry?
What do you think about Clare's reaction?
What are some scenes you loved?
My thoughts
I couldn't believe how Henry's mother was killed how horrible for a young child to experience such a thing. I think it must be very hard on him because he keeps reliving this moment, literally traveling back in time to the accident. How awful.
I did not like Gomez at first, but he grew on me. I think he likes Clare and wants to keep her from getting hurt. Being with Henry must be very difficult for Clare. I love how Clare's reaction is articulated. I've been in a relationship like this, not the time traveling part of course ;), but where I'm just so wrapped up in someone and they're wrapped up in me – we're intertwined, it seems like it's already done, we're destined for each other.
I loved the scene where Clare is drawing Henry. It's such a beautiful scene – how deep and concentrated she is in him and he in her. What love, it's been a long time since I've felt that way. ;(
I also like how Henry tells her he didn't know she was tracking his moods and Clare's response: "What else do I have to go on." Wow, that's a great line because it's so true about relationships especially those between a man and a woman. Sometimes communication just seems impossible and it's all a guessing game. That certainly is how it is for the young Clare when she's with Henry.
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Time 51-100
Summary
Henry, 27, is teaching Henry, 9, how to pick pocket. After a successful lesson they go to their hotel and have a chat. Henry, 27, reveals to his 9-year-old self who he is for the first time.
Next we hear from 15-year-old Henry who is with himself from next March. The two have a conversation about not being able to change the past. They also talk about free will and how it's something that you only have in the present - that basically what's in the past is done.
Then, Henry is 19 in Zion, Ill. where he's been arrested for attempting to break into a house nude.
Clare, 11, in May, 1983, is at a sleepover with friends and they play with a Quija board and when it's Clare's turn mysteriously the piece moves and spells out H E N R Y to the question "What boys like Clare?" Then, the plastic piece moves again and spells out H U S B A N D.
In April, 1984 Henry is 36 and Clare, 12. They're playing chess and Clare is asking Henry who he likes and if he's married. He thinks about it but decides she's too young to know he's married to her. At the end of the account, Clare is crying. Henry asks what's wrong and she says "... I thought maybe you were married to me."
Next, Clare is 15. She's in the meadow alone missing Henry.
It's September 1984, Henry is 34, Clare 13. They discuss God and free will.
In October 27, 1984 Clare, 13 recounts the time she woke suddenly thinking she hears Henry calling for her. She goes outside to find Henry with her father and brother in the orchard looking at something. She has a feeling that something bad has just happened.
Next Clare is 15, Henry, 38, and they are in the "Reading Room," a little room she fixed up for him next to the furnace room. Henry seems distressed so she asks him about what is going on from the future from which he comes. He tries to avoid answering and accidentally slips out a "was" when talking about her mother. He finally tells her how her mother dies.
Then we hear from Clare, 16, she's just gotten her license and is going to a party. Henry, 32, goes with her, but stays out in the car.
Later that year, Clare has gone out on a date and the young man beat her up for not putting out. Henry and Clare go to the boy's home and tie him up. Clare calls every girl she knows to come look at the display.
Questions
Who was moving the plastic piece of the Quija board?
What's the deal about what happens in the orchard when Clare sees her father, brother and Henry?
Henry asks Clare which she believes: "...block universe, where past, present and future all coexist simultaneously and everything has already happened; chaos, where anything can happen and nothing can be predicted because we can't know all the variables; and a Christian universe in which God made everything and it's all here for a purpose but we have free will anyway." Which do you believe? What do you think Henry believes?
My thoughts
This may be a little edgy to say or premature (maybe sounds a little crazy) but I think that Henry's ghost was moving the plastic piece. I think that at the end of the novel Henry will die, but somehow be able to travel through time to "be" with Clare. Again, this may be too far-fetched, just one idea.
I have no idea about the deal in the orchard, but I can't wait to find out. Again, maybe Henry was a ghost. It didn't really seem that the father and brother were aware of him.
I think Henry believes that everything has happened and nothing can be changed. I personally believe there is a purpose but that we have free will.
I loved the quote... "If I could only read his mind, how much easier life would be." Isn't that the truth Clare, isn't that the truth!
Henry, 27, is teaching Henry, 9, how to pick pocket. After a successful lesson they go to their hotel and have a chat. Henry, 27, reveals to his 9-year-old self who he is for the first time.
Next we hear from 15-year-old Henry who is with himself from next March. The two have a conversation about not being able to change the past. They also talk about free will and how it's something that you only have in the present - that basically what's in the past is done.
Then, Henry is 19 in Zion, Ill. where he's been arrested for attempting to break into a house nude.
Clare, 11, in May, 1983, is at a sleepover with friends and they play with a Quija board and when it's Clare's turn mysteriously the piece moves and spells out H E N R Y to the question "What boys like Clare?" Then, the plastic piece moves again and spells out H U S B A N D.
In April, 1984 Henry is 36 and Clare, 12. They're playing chess and Clare is asking Henry who he likes and if he's married. He thinks about it but decides she's too young to know he's married to her. At the end of the account, Clare is crying. Henry asks what's wrong and she says "... I thought maybe you were married to me."
Next, Clare is 15. She's in the meadow alone missing Henry.
It's September 1984, Henry is 34, Clare 13. They discuss God and free will.
In October 27, 1984 Clare, 13 recounts the time she woke suddenly thinking she hears Henry calling for her. She goes outside to find Henry with her father and brother in the orchard looking at something. She has a feeling that something bad has just happened.
Next Clare is 15, Henry, 38, and they are in the "Reading Room," a little room she fixed up for him next to the furnace room. Henry seems distressed so she asks him about what is going on from the future from which he comes. He tries to avoid answering and accidentally slips out a "was" when talking about her mother. He finally tells her how her mother dies.
Then we hear from Clare, 16, she's just gotten her license and is going to a party. Henry, 32, goes with her, but stays out in the car.
Later that year, Clare has gone out on a date and the young man beat her up for not putting out. Henry and Clare go to the boy's home and tie him up. Clare calls every girl she knows to come look at the display.
Questions
Who was moving the plastic piece of the Quija board?
What's the deal about what happens in the orchard when Clare sees her father, brother and Henry?
Henry asks Clare which she believes: "...block universe, where past, present and future all coexist simultaneously and everything has already happened; chaos, where anything can happen and nothing can be predicted because we can't know all the variables; and a Christian universe in which God made everything and it's all here for a purpose but we have free will anyway." Which do you believe? What do you think Henry believes?
My thoughts
This may be a little edgy to say or premature (maybe sounds a little crazy) but I think that Henry's ghost was moving the plastic piece. I think that at the end of the novel Henry will die, but somehow be able to travel through time to "be" with Clare. Again, this may be too far-fetched, just one idea.
I have no idea about the deal in the orchard, but I can't wait to find out. Again, maybe Henry was a ghost. It didn't really seem that the father and brother were aware of him.
I think Henry believes that everything has happened and nothing can be changed. I personally believe there is a purpose but that we have free will.
I loved the quote... "If I could only read his mind, how much easier life would be." Isn't that the truth Clare, isn't that the truth!
Saturday, April 10, 2010
Time 3-50
Summary
Clare, 20, and Henry, 28, meet for the first time (for Henry) and go on a date. At this time Clare knows who Henry is, as she first met him in the meadow when she was 6 years old. Henry has a genetic disorder that allows him to travel through time, kind of unexpectedly. Clare explains to him that she is his future wife and they end up going on a date that ends with making love.
Next we learn about Henry's first time traveling experience when he was just 5 years old. He meets with his 24-year-old self and they take a private tour of the Field Museum.
Then, Henry, 36 an Clare 6, meet for the first time in the meadow for Clare.
We leave off where Henry 27 is teaching his 9-year-old self how to pick-pocket.
Questions
Do you like how the author tells the story from both Clare and Henry's perspective?
Why do you think she decided to do that?
What do you think it would be like to time travel like Henry?
My thoughts
I'm really enjoying the book, it's such a fascinating story. I enjoy the fact that we get to hear the personal perspectives from both Clare and Henry. I think she did this to in order to tell the whole story more effectively and make it easier to become emotionally tied to both characters and understand both of their sides.
I always thought time traveling would be a wonderful thing, but for Henry it doesn't seem so wonderful. Not sure I would want to have the ability to disappear at any given moment with a plan.
I'm very intrigued by the fact that Henry and Clare first met, for Clare, when she was only 6 years old. How hopelessly romantic. I love that.
What are your thoughts?
Clare, 20, and Henry, 28, meet for the first time (for Henry) and go on a date. At this time Clare knows who Henry is, as she first met him in the meadow when she was 6 years old. Henry has a genetic disorder that allows him to travel through time, kind of unexpectedly. Clare explains to him that she is his future wife and they end up going on a date that ends with making love.
Next we learn about Henry's first time traveling experience when he was just 5 years old. He meets with his 24-year-old self and they take a private tour of the Field Museum.
Then, Henry, 36 an Clare 6, meet for the first time in the meadow for Clare.
We leave off where Henry 27 is teaching his 9-year-old self how to pick-pocket.
Questions
Do you like how the author tells the story from both Clare and Henry's perspective?
Why do you think she decided to do that?
What do you think it would be like to time travel like Henry?
My thoughts
I'm really enjoying the book, it's such a fascinating story. I enjoy the fact that we get to hear the personal perspectives from both Clare and Henry. I think she did this to in order to tell the whole story more effectively and make it easier to become emotionally tied to both characters and understand both of their sides.
I always thought time traveling would be a wonderful thing, but for Henry it doesn't seem so wonderful. Not sure I would want to have the ability to disappear at any given moment with a plan.
I'm very intrigued by the fact that Henry and Clare first met, for Clare, when she was only 6 years old. How hopelessly romantic. I love that.
What are your thoughts?
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Welcome!!!
Welcome to the Book Club Blog. Please join in the fun of reading and discussing books with us. My goal for this blog is to simply have fun and learn a little bit more about myself while connecting with those around the world through great literature. Also, I want to make a real commitment to reading. This is a great weakness in my life right now. I NEED and WANT to find the time to read.
The book
The first book we'll be reading is The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger. It was published in 2003. It's a love story about a man who has the ability to travel through time and the distant relationship he and his wife share. It's classified as a combination of science fiction and romance. The book was recently made into a movie, so no cheating, if you haven't seen the movie yet. ;) If you've seen the movie, you know the book is going to be that much better. In fact, I've read many reviews and all concur the book is better.
The set-up
Since we all lead very busy lives, we're going to start simple. We'll read 50 pages a week and discussion for those pages will begin on the following Saturday. I'll make a post with a brief synopsis and a few questions to spark discussion. You'll have the entire week until the next Saturday to post your thoughts, etc. Please leave a post below if you're going to join.
Start dates
We will begin reading The Time Traveler's Wife Monday, April 5. On Saturday, April 10 I'll post about the first three chapters and start our discussion.
Be sure to tell all your friends and get them involved! This is going to be so much fun. Please contact me if you have questions.
The book
The first book we'll be reading is The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger. It was published in 2003. It's a love story about a man who has the ability to travel through time and the distant relationship he and his wife share. It's classified as a combination of science fiction and romance. The book was recently made into a movie, so no cheating, if you haven't seen the movie yet. ;) If you've seen the movie, you know the book is going to be that much better. In fact, I've read many reviews and all concur the book is better.
The set-up
Since we all lead very busy lives, we're going to start simple. We'll read 50 pages a week and discussion for those pages will begin on the following Saturday. I'll make a post with a brief synopsis and a few questions to spark discussion. You'll have the entire week until the next Saturday to post your thoughts, etc. Please leave a post below if you're going to join.
Start dates
We will begin reading The Time Traveler's Wife Monday, April 5. On Saturday, April 10 I'll post about the first three chapters and start our discussion.
Be sure to tell all your friends and get them involved! This is going to be so much fun. Please contact me if you have questions.
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