It’s official. Rachel McAdams (‘The Notebook’) plays Clare Abshire and Eric Bana (‘The Other Boleyn Girl’) plays Henry De Tamble in the film adaptation of Audrey Niffenegger’s novel “The Time Travellers Wife” which is due to release next year. What better way to commemorate the good news than to revisit the international bestseller itself.

 Niffenegger brings us an original love story of Clare and Henry who first met when Clare was six and Henry was thirty-six, and were married when Clare was twenty-two and Henry was thirty. Henry has a genetic disorder that causes him to time travel when he is stressed. He is uncontrollably pulled into his past or future. Niffenegger explores the unique relationship between Clare and Henry and their struggles to live normal lives throughout perplex scenarios.

 Niffenegger conjures up a quite humorous version of time travel as Henry can find himself suddenly pulled out from the present and into a different time and place wearing nothing but his birthday suit. A good example of this would be their wedding day. Henry is unfortunately whisked away just before the ceremony. But luckily an older Henry arrives and takes his place leaving suspicious guests questioning his suddenly aged appearance.

 The story is not entirely full-up with fantasy and enchantment. Niffenegger is in tune with the couple’s emotions of love and loss which help make this story an intensely moving read. She skilfully digs up the dramas and intensities of family life and the strained relationship between parent and child. With this, we are reminded very much so in the book of the reality as well as the magic.

 It will be interesting to see how the director of the upcoming film adaptation, will portray the unexpected time jumps from the book and how much of the film will stay true to the original story. Hopefully it will explore the same themes to make a good drama rather than diluting into your usual rom-com.