I know The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger got many rave reviews so I chose to see the movie today although I had really felt like watching a light film about food, Julia and Julie, which is also in the theaters. That may be the reason I didn't enjoy The Time Traveler's Wife. I found it depressing, not just sad. It also combines many different genres and is confusing as a result. It was a Back to the Future type of fantasy, plus a tragedy and a romance, in addition to being science fiction (with the seriousness of Frankenstein but without the horror aspects). I came out of the film feeling unsatisfied and a bit distressed, as I had been looking forward to an entertaining afternoon with the likes of Meryl Streep in a film about cooking.
I haven't read either book as yet. Maybe The Time Traveler's Wife has really excellent prose, and there may even be pathos in Julie and Julia, which I plan to read. I may skip The Time Traveler's Wife, but I know many readers will want to read it for the same reasons I didn't like it in the film.
sorry you didn't like the movie, I saw it this weekend to. I do not like sci-fi at all and really enjoyed this movie.
ReplyDeleteI did read the book about 6 years ago - one of my favorite books (the writing style and the story is beautifully told).
Mari: Glad to hear the book might be better than the film! My husband hasn't read the book but felt the film was confusing and left him with some unanswered questions. That's okay for a light film/book, but this one attempts to be serious sci-fi and many other things. Glad you enjoyed both film and book!
ReplyDeleteI didn't enjoy the book, myself. But I tend not to enjoy books I find sad....I get too close to characters in novels.
ReplyDeleteElizabeth
Mystery Writing is Murder
Oh I urge you to read the book, it makes all the difference. It's like the difference between reading 'Perfume' by Patrick Suskind and seeing the film. It just doesn't compare. The book is of course sad in places (it's only going to be a sad outcome afterall) but I read it all in one sitting because I had to know what was going to happen next, and it's not hard to follow. I'd hate to think you missed out on a fabulous book due to a bad movie. x
ReplyDeleteElizabeth and CCB: a roller coaster ride of up and down emotions...Maybe I'll pick up the book to look at the writing! Nice to have every your points of view!
ReplyDeleteI saw TTW on Saturday and haven't read the book either. I thought it was sad and depressing, but pretty good. I read on another blog that the movie could be considered an introduction to the book and might make the reading richer. I don't know about that but I plan on giving it a try.
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry you didn't like the movie! I have been hesitating to go to it because I am one of those people who really loved the book! I read it when it first came out and yes it was sad, but I thought the author did such a wonderful job with all the time travel aspects. It was really one of the first time travel books I had read and I found it fascinating! Her writing was also very good.
ReplyDeleteJulie and Julia looks to be a fun movie! I read the book, but am really looking forward to going to see the movie! I picked Julie and Julia for one of my book club selections and we had so much fun making our book club dinner from Julia's french cookbook!
Nice post! Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
Suzanne
Thanks Harvee for your honest assessment. Ha! I never even finished the book when I tried to read it. Didn't know there was a movie yet. But from what I read of the book, I see where it would have been tough to translate into the film medium.
ReplyDeleteI personally really didn't like the book. I know I am in the minority on this one, but I thought the prose was lacking, and the basis of the time traveling explained really poorly. As a fan of books that mix genres, I just didn't think this one cut it. Plus I found the main male character to be kind of creepy and controlling.
ReplyDeleteLove all your comments! Both the pros and the cons. Glad to hear from those who didn't like or get into the book. Found a Goodreads author who gave it only one star but didn't explain why.
ReplyDeleteOh, my gosh....don't skip the book!! It rates as one of my top 5 books of all time. It's really that good. I haven't seen the movie yet (going this week with a friend who also loved the book). It's a very complex and engaging plot - maybe that didn't translate well to a movie (if you didn't already read the book).
ReplyDeleteSue