Deslily is hosting a wonderful contest right now. The rules are simple:
I want the post to be about a character in a book that you really like. One that for whatever reason, you can't seem to forget. Or one that you related to. Or one that made you laugh. Just make it about a character you can't seem to forget. Tell about how you found this character, and most of all... why you like him/ her/ it... post it before August 3rd and leave a link so that others can read your post.
I love the idea behind this contest. There are so many possibilities for this one, but I've decided to go with a couple of characters that haven't left my mind since they've entered it about a month ago...They are Henry and Clare from Audrey Niffenegger's The Time Traveler's Wife.
Since I've read the book and posted about it, I've noticed that there is a universal love for this book and these two characters. They defy genres. Fans of any genre appreciate this book and appreciate these characters. I think it is because this book has such a basic human element to it. The characters are so real. There are intimate moments in the book that anyone who has ever been in a relationship can relate to.
What I loved about the characters of Henry and Clare is that neither one of them are perfect, yet they are perfect for each other. Clare is always there for Henry when he is at his weakest. How many people could handle a relationship as stressed as this one. Yet the relationship seems so smooth...so easy...it fits, it's right. Same goes with Henry; while he isn't always physically there for Clare, she is in his thoughts in everything that he does. There love for each other is pure.
I loved them as individuals as well...not just as a couple. They both had incredible taste in music and I loved the scene at the Violent Femmes concert. Henry was a librarian which automatically makes him cool and hello! he can time travel! Clare is an artist which appealed to me immediately because Megan is an artist as well. So I connected with their relationship right away. Clare's just an all around cool gal.
The whole time I read the book, I thought that these were people that I would love to hang out with. I would love to get a cup of coffee with these guys or have a couple of drinks with them. It's rare that I connect with characters as well as I did here. That's no doubt due to Niffenegger's excellent writing.
I encourage everyone to join in on Deslily's contest! I'd really like to hear other peoples answers :)
17 comments:
what? it's not abbercorn? LOL just kidding! hahaha..
How cool! You are the "first name for the drawing!"..but I won't write them until Aug. 4th.
I need to write one..but i'll keep my name out lol..like you said,there are many to choose from! I may think back and see who I still remember from older books I've read that still stick with me.. although one i loved was Elinor from Inkheart, the old lady who collected books and they were like her children to her..great character even not being the main few.
last full day in fla.. I'm depressed already...:o(
Chris, I am so glad you like this book as much as I do. I belong to two book clubs, one of them with women my age (mid 40's) and one group who are my mother's age. Needless to say, the second group DID NOT like Time Traveler's Wife. I just don't think they understood it. But, I agree with you about Henry and Clare. I, too, appreciated how they stood up for one another, and really only seemed to fit with each other. I think it is hard to find a love as deep and committed as theirs, and perhaps the very uncertainty of their future made it all the deeper. Great post! I'll consider trying desilly's challenge, if I can think of a character I really love...
Deslily, Abbercorn is tied for first place ;)
Yay! I'm first in the hat! Way too many to choose from. I could write hundred from these and in all seriousness could definitely choose a character from your book.
Make the most out of your last day! Sorry that it's your last though...I know how much that sucks :(
Belezza, I can't imagine people not liking this book. It was so wonderful. Though I guess I can see how it may not appeal to an older demographic. The characters in this book were just so strong. They really stick with you. I'd love to read your answer to this question! You should do it!
I loved Henry and Clare, also. It's funny, I don't think I would have recalled their names, but when I saw them in your post, I could visualize both of them, immediately. That is, to me, the hallmark of a good book - when you can easily recall a character or setting (or other details).
Same here, Bookfool. With all the books I read, it can be hard sometimes to vividly recall a book and jump right back into my memories of it...but there are those few wonderful books that have their special little places in my mind.
You're very right about Henry and Claire! Often now I'm finding myself fighting that book's corner, not because people have read it and didn't like it, but because in England it was picked up by the afternoon TV moguls Richard and Judy, who have a nasty habit of publicising terrible books, and because of their large audience, who are largely incapable of choosing a book for themselves, have lead to a bestseller list revolution on a couple of occasions. This does not go down well with people who like books! There's now the phenomenon of the Richard and Judy reader, who has read nothing that isn't in the top ten and simply regurgitates their pm TV opinions. I believe Oprah has has some similar results. Several people have resisted The Time Traveller's Wife because of that. But I'm working them round ;)
Hmmm...
This is going to take some thought.
Oh, and btw, Chris, you might want to take a peek at my blog...
cjh
Stormfilled, oh dear :/ Yes, Oprah does similar things to books over here. As soon as she puts the "Oprah's bookclub" stamp on it the book hit's the bestseller list and I automatically cringe and avoid the book, which is ashame. Middlesex and The Road are both recent books on her list and I've heard that both are great, yet I can't buy a book with her name on the cover...it just doesn't belong there! Anyway, glad to hear you're fighting for TTW!
CJ, Can't wait to read your answer! Heading over to your blog now :)
ah, that is very cool when characters come to life like that and stick in your head!
I'm baaaack!... catch up sucks! LOL..
I quickly make a small thing on my sidebar on my blog to list the links to people who enter the contest!.. so far only two but at least they are there! check it out when you have a chance!!!!
so much to catch up on so little time to do it! aRGH!
Deslily, It took me forever to catch up on blogs after vacation! Luckily, I haven't written too much while you were away, so you don't have too much to catch up on from me ;) Though you do have an awfully long Kesterwood review to read!
Great choices! I can't wait to do mine...it is going to be hard to choose, that is for sure. This is a fantastic contest idea, to be sure!
I felt the same way Carl...very hard to choose. I made it easy for myself and just went for the most recent characters that stuck out in my mind. There's a million of them though!
I haven't read this book yet - it sounds good.
Karmyn, It was a wonderful book! I can't imagine anyone not liking it..give it a try!
Hmmm... I'm definitely going to have to read this after you most excellent review!
Stephanie, It's such a great book. I recommend it to everybody :) Hope you enjoy it!
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