This also happens to be the 100th book review on this blog. (*Drumroll* and *Confetti*)
We are always racing against time.Havent we all heard the usual adages innumerable times which just go to prove that time has the power both to comfort and to terrify us.'Time is precious','Time is what we want most but what we use worst', 'Time and tide wait for no man' and to scare us a bit more-- ,'The trouble is you think you have time'.
So what is it about the ticking clock that is so scary?What if we somehow find a way to freeze the illusory happy moments only to be able to relive that moment every time we wish to.Wouldnt that be great?Or even better still ,what if we stop time altogether.Stop ageing.Would it be a blessing or a curse?
But let me not digress.
The Plot:
'The first rule is that you dont fall in love,' he said.'There are other rules too, but that is the main one.No falling in love.No staying in love.No daydreaming of love.If you stick to this you will just about be okay.'
'You are, of course, allowed to love food and music and champagne and rare sunny afternoons in October.You can love the sight of waterfalls and the smell of old books,but the love of people is off limits.'
'Dont attach yourself to people,and try to feel as little as you possibly can for those you do meet.Because otherwise you will slowly lose your mind...'
These are the rules of 'The Albatross Society',a secretive group which protects people who have a rare condition called Anageria,in which the person stops ageing.
Tom Hazard is one of those people whos been alive for centuries but owing to this rare condition he looks like an ordinary 41-year old.But he isnt at all happy with his life because he is doomed to see everyone he loves age and die.Tragic events in his past refuse to let go of him and he has found people in all eras to be very suspicious and dangerous once they get to know about his condition.So for protection he joins 'The Albatross Society',founded by Hendrich who protects people like him.This society protects its members by moving them to new areas every eight years and providing them with new identities.They also kill anybody who dicovers the truth about them.In exchange the members have to return the favour by doing whatever it is Hendrich asks of them from time to time.
Tom moves to london to become a high school history teacher.But he has just one wish in life,to be ordinary.However a captivating french teacher in school seems fascinated by him and seems to think she's seen him before.This unsettles Tom and he is compelled to re-examine his life and the rules he adheres to.
My views:
Let me begin by saying that there is something about the cover of this book that I found most attractive.I thought it is beautifully designed.
This story took me on a wild adventure travelling through time,from Elizabethan England to jazz-age Paris,from New York to the South Seas.Tom is so proficient in playing so many musical instruments that Shakespeare hires him to play at the original production of 'As you like it 'and over time he meets Charlie Chaplin,sails with Captain Cook,has a drink with Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald.All of it was most thrilling to read.
But the important question raised by the book is 'What is it that we live for?'Tom isnt happy and he is haunted my memories of his short lived love affair with Rose ,a london street seller in the 1600s.The only thing which keeps him going is the search for his daughter who has the same condition.The story took me back and forth in time and kept me engaged with the fascinating characters and events.
This book poses many questions while taking us through time.It is contemplative and brooding but very powerful and touching at the same time.It explores love,loss,loneliness and adventure.It also shows us that some things never change.Time can change but sometimes the attitudes of people over centuries dont.I had always thought that it would be wonderful to not be governed by clocks or time,the artificial restraints that humanity imposes on itself.But this does come with its own set of problems.It would be tough to live an unmoored life ,to live with a secret and to change identitites every eight years to protect it.It made me think about life and the choices we make to get through it and how we should never take anything for granted.Haig has nailed it when he writes , --'Thats the thing with time,isnt it?Its not all the same.Some days-some years-some decades-are empty.There is nothing to them.Its just flat water.And then you come across a year,or even a day,or an afternoon.And it is everything.It is the whole thing.' Isnt this exactly the way it really is!?
I hated the manipulative Hendrich,who sets his own rules and has his ulterior motives.People like this exist everywhere and sometimes feed on your weaknesses.I thought it was an apt portrayal.All the characters had very distinct personalities and voices but I was most entranced by Tom .His struggles seemed real.It was difficult to see him torn between the past and the present.It just went to show that sometimes it could take lifetimes to learn how to live.
My only grouse against this book is that the pace slowed down in the middle and the story seemed to drag a bit.
Matt Haigs writing is effortless and skilful.The story sends us a very positive message about life and living which will hopefully stay with me forever.
"Everything is going to be all right.Or ,if not, everything is going to be, so lets not worry."
Its no wonder that it will be adapted into a movie soon with Benedict Cumberbatch as the lead.Something to surely look forward to.
Im eager to read more by this author.
I rate this book a 4 out of 5.
