Phoenix Knitting Forums

Oh I`m really sad that I missed this readathon.
I think I will still buy the book though. You have all got me fascinated.

that made me laugh so much!

I read this book a couple of years ago, but revisiting it made me remember why it had such an impact on me - I was weeping by the end - weeping! I must be getting soft in my old age.

On a serious note, I discussed it with a friend of mine and she hated it - said the main character was basically a child abuser (I should probably clarify that her daughter was abused by a neighbour which she related to this book, so a sensitive subject).

Have to admit that I struggled with the first couple of pages - but once I got stuck in was hooked - a definite page turner.

whilst i'm sorry for your friend and daughter, i can't see where she got that from, i though he showed remarkable restraint and i liked the way Clare got on with her life, had other relationships (all be it superficial ones) until the day they actually met. but thanks for sharing that thought, it's interesting to see how people in different circumstances interpret things.

I didn't consider it a form of abuse either, but it is perfectly understandable that your friend's opinion has been influenced by such a dreadful experience. And I can see that some other parts of the book, especially about Clare trying to conceive, might be upsetting as well (hope I don't spoil too much now!).

I think the age thing was very cleverly done; when one of them tells the story as a child, their 'voices' really do sounds like childrens' voices, the language is simplier and the structure of the sentences is different. Having the story told by either Clare or Henry is what makes it work, I think, it would have been much less plausible if there had been an all-knowing author telling us what happens.

I do wonder how they will deal with Henry's time-shifting experiences in the movies. In the novel, he always ends up naked, but knowing Hollywood showing a naked man will probably be impossible. But I can't see it work with clothes on.

In the terminator films there is always a naked "person" following a time shift.

Yes, that's true! But weren't those R-rated? Can't remember, and of course, R in the States doesn't mean the same as the rating in Europe.

I'd love this film to be suited for twelve years and older, it might get more people to read to book, and I'd love some young readers getting to know the poetry that is quoted. The Derek Walcott poem at the start of the novel is beautiful, and Rilke is never a bad thing either.

I think that Terminator was rated so highly (18 in UK) because of the violence rather than the nudity. And the explicit s-xual content of TTW isn't suitable for twelve year olds. So that would either need to be changed or an older certificate will be needed.

Yes, it was 16 here (you only get 18 for really adult content, iykwim) and that was due to violence.

Just looked at the IMDB, and they say it will be PG-13 in the States, 'for thematic elements, brief disturbing images, nudity and sexuality'. Can't be that shocking, then, I guess. And come to think of it: Henry's frozen feet will perhaps be a lot more disturbing than no clothes... Hadn't thought of that, yet.

There were scenes in the book that I skipped over because I thought they were too explicit. To be honest, they shocked me.

I'm only just catching up this thread. I loved this book when I read it a couple of years ago but I read it at quite an emotional time for me and it made me cry so much, I'm not sure how I'd feel about re-reading it, or watching it on film. I generally dislike films of books I love as they are never the way I see them in my head. My sister borrowed this book from me, and I'm just wondering if I should ask if she read it, and if she will give it back....