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How to Stop Time

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'How to Stop Time' by Matt Haig follows the life of Tom Hazard, who at over 400 years old ages very slowly due to a rare genetic condition. The book explores Tom's struggles with living through centuries, his encounters with historical figures, and his search for love and meaning in a world where he must constantly keep his condition a secret. The narrative alternates between Tom's present-day life as a history teacher in London and his memories of past experiences, blending elements of historical fiction and contemporary romance. The writing style is introspective and melancholic, delving into themes of time, memory, love, and the fear of the future.

Characters:

The characters are well-rounded, with Tom serving as a complex protagonist facing loneliness and existential challenges.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is accessible and engaging, with emotional depth and humor, intertwining philosophical reflections with the narrative.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot combines elements of historical and speculative fiction, centered around a character who experiences life across centuries without the ability to time travel.

Setting:

The setting spans various historical periods and modern-day London, vividly illustrated through the protagonist's experiences.

Pacing:

The pacing alternates between reflective slow moments and quicker revelations, creating a mix that can feel repetitive but serves to deepen the narrative.
To give you an idea: I was born well over four hundred years ago on the third of March 1581, in my parents’ room, on the third floor of a small French château that used to be my home. It was a warm da...

Notes:

The main character, Tom Hazard, has a rare condition called 'anageria' that makes him age very slowly, roughly one year for every fifteen years of a normal human's life.
Tom is over 400 years old, having been born in 1581, but he appears to be in his early 40s.
The story is not about traditional time travel but rather about living through different historical eras due to his slow aging.
Tom has met famous historical figures like Shakespeare, Captain Cook, and F. Scott Fitzgerald throughout his long life.
He is part of a secret society called the Albatross Society, which protects individuals like him and has strict rules, including never falling in love.
The narrative alternates between Tom's present as a history teacher in London and his memories from various periods in history.
One of the key themes of the novel is exploring what it means to truly live in the present despite having a long past filled with loss and heartache.
The author, Matt Haig, uses Tom's unique experiences to reflect on human nature, memory, and the importance of connections with others, even when faced with the inevitability of loss.
'How to Stop Time' has been described as both historical fiction and speculative fiction, with elements that touch on philosophy and the human condition.
The book emphasizes that despite living for centuries, Tom struggles with loneliness and the challenges of forming attachments due to his condition.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

The book includes themes of loss, grief, and existential crises, which may be triggering for some readers.

Has Romance?

Romantic elements are present as Tom navigates his feelings for Camille, juxtaposing his past with a longing for love.

From The Publisher:

From the New York Times bestselling author of The Midnight Library.

"A quirky romcom dusted with philosophical observations….A delightfully witty…poignant novel." -The Washington Post

"She smiled a soft, troubled smile and I felt the whole world slipping away, and I wanted to slip with it, to go wherever she was going… I had existed whole years without her, but that was all it had been. An existence. A book with no words."

Tom Hazard has just moved back to London, his old home, to settle down and become a high school history teacher. And on his first day at school, he meets a captivating French teacher at his school who seems fascinated by him. But Tom has a dangerous secret. He may look like an ordinary 41-year-old, but owing to a rare condition, he's been alive for centuries. Tom has lived history-performing with Shakespeare, exploring the high seas with Captain Cook, and sharing cocktails with Fitzgerald. Now, he just wants an ordinary life.

Unfortunately for Tom, the Albatross Society, the secretive group which protects people like Tom, has one rule: Never fall in love. As painful memories of his past and the erratic behavior of the Society's watchful leader threaten to derail his new life and romance, the one thing he can't have just happens to be the one thing that might save him. Tom will have to decide once and for all whether to remain stuck in the past, or finally begin living in the present.

How to Stop Time tells a love story across the ages-and for the ages-about a man lost in time, the woman who could save him, and the lifetimes it can take to learn how to live. It is a bighearted, wildly original novel about losing and finding yourself, the inevitability of change, and how with enough time to learn, we just might find happiness.

Soon to be a major motion picture starring Benedict Cumberbatch.

Ratings (63)

Incredible (9)
Loved It (16)
Liked It (20)
It Was OK (11)
Did Not Like (6)
Hated It (1)

Reader Stats (124):

Read It (62)
Currently Reading (1)
Want To Read (52)
Not Interested (9)

3 comment(s)

It Was OK
1 month

written like the in class essays I wrote in high school when I realized I only had 5 minutes left. protagonist needs some prozac and perspective.

there were some good highlight moments for me though so 3 stars why not

 
Did Not Like
3 months

I really liked the concept of this book but boy was it *slow*. And it meandered all over the place. Just when it seemed to get into a rhythm, it veered off. The characters weren’t particularly well-drawn. Tom always seemed to be in the right place at the right time to meet some of history’s famous people in casual (think Forrest Gump) ways but he still managed to be a thoroughly boring and depressing narrator. The wrap-up seemed a bit abrupt and too neat.

 
Incredible
6 months

“How to Stop Time” is a novel by Matt Haig that explores the life of Tom Hazard, a man who suffers from a rare condition that makes him age very slowly. Tom has lived for over four centuries, witnessing history and meeting famous figures, but also losing everyone he loves and hiding his secret from the world. He works as a history teacher in London, where he tries to blend in and avoid attachments, following the rules of the Albatross Society, a secret organization of people like him. However, when he meets a charming French teacher named Camille, he begins to question his lonely existence and the choices he has made.

The audiobook is narrated by Mark Meadows, who does a superb job of bringing Tom's voice and emotions to life. Meadows captures Tom's weariness, curiosity, humor, and longing with subtle variations in tone and accent. He also switches smoothly between different characters and time periods, giving each one a distinct personality and flavor. Meadows' narration enhances the immersive and engaging quality of the story, making the listener feel like they are traveling with Tom through his extraordinary journey.

The novel is a blend of historical fiction, science fiction, and romance, with a touch of philosophical reflection. Haig skillfully weaves Tom's past and present, revealing his memories and experiences in different eras, from Elizabethan England to Jazz Age Paris to modern-day New York. Haig also creates a rich and diverse cast of characters, both real and fictional, that Tom encounters along the way, such as Shakespeare, Fitzgerald, Captain Cook, and Omai. Haig uses these historical references and details to add depth and authenticity to the story, as well as to contrast Tom's timeless perspective with the changing world around him.

The novel also explores the themes of identity, love, mortality, and happiness, through Tom's character and his relationships. Tom is a complex and sympathetic protagonist, who struggles with his condition and its implications. He is haunted by his past, especially by the loss of his wife and daughter, and he fears getting close to anyone again. He is also conflicted by his desire to live a normal life and his duty to protect his secret and his kind. He is constantly searching for meaning and purpose in his long existence, and he wonders if he can ever find happiness or peace. Through his interactions with Camille, Hendrich, the leader of the Albatross Society, and other characters, Tom gradually learns to accept himself, to embrace the present, and to hope for the future.

“How to Stop Time” is a captivating and moving novel that offers a fresh and original take on the concept of immortality. It is a story that celebrates the power of love, the beauty of history, and the joy of living. It is a story that will make you think, feel, and appreciate the preciousness of time.

 

About the Author:

Matt Haig is the author of the internationally bestselling memoir Reasons to Stay Alive and Notes on a Nervous Planet, along with six novels, including How To Stop Time, and several award-winning children's books. His work has been translated into thirty languages.

 
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