This Impossible Brightness by Jessica Bryant Klagmann

Title: This Impossible Brightness; A Novel

Author: Jessica Bryant Klagmann

Publisher: Lake Union Publishing

Publication Date: February 1, 2024

Length: 308 Pages

Amazon Prime First Reads - January 2024

About the Author
Jessica Bryant Klagmann grew up in New England, studied writing in Fairbanks, Alaska, and now lives with her family in northern New Mexico. Her work has been published in environmental journals like Whitefish Review and Terrain.org.

An Amazing Adventure and Love Story
Alma Hughes moves to a remote island in the North Atlantic in hopes of dealing with the loss of her fiance. She also wants to tend to the needs of her ailing dog. Alma learns to communicate with "Echoes" and finds a purpose for her secluded life. 

My Thoughts
I have never read a book quite like this one. There were times when I was a bit confused by the different characters. I had to get used to the idea that Alma could see and communicate with people who were no longer living. Alma's dog was especially poignant and memorable. 

Alma was constantly dealing with the fact that the North Atlantic island was slowly being swallowed up by the sea. The harsh elements were a constant challenge. The issue of climate change was a strong part of this story.

This book was a combination of science fiction, adventure, and love story. I found the last couple of chapters especially engaging and all the questions that I had earlier were answered. The story ended with the strong message that love never ends. 

Alma was a courageous and resilient woman and I enjoyed getting to know her. This book took me out of my comfort zone and introduced me to a faraway place where hope and love endure.

MY RATING: 4 Stars OUt Of 5

The Time Traveler's Wife - A Movie Review

The Time Traveler's Wife was adapted from the 2003 novel by Audrey Niffeneger. I was interested in this movie because the main character in the story is a librarian. Since I spent many years working as a librarian, I seem to be drawn to stories about libraries and librarians.

Henry DeTamble and Clare Abshire experience a kind of love that is not limited by time. The movie is both a love story and a science fiction fantasy. I found the beginning of the movie difficult to follow because it jumped from one period of time to another in Henry's life. I think I finally engaged in the story when Clare met Henry in the library and they got married.

Clare's love is put to the test many times because of Henry's disappearing acts. Henry had a disorder that was labeled "chrono-impairment" and he would randomly travel back or forward in time. Clare was bitterly disappointed when she wanted to be a mother but was unable to carry a baby to term. She eventually gives birth to a little girl named Alba, who is also a time traveler.

I thought the interactions between Henry and Alba were especially heart wrenching. The way that Henry died was extremely ironic - I am NOT a hunting enthusiast. A happy family reunion at the end of the movie emphasized the theme that true love never ends.

I have to admit that I started reading the book when it first came out but lost interest and never finished it. The same thing almost happened during the movie. The action jumped around from one period of time to another so much that my head was spinning. It all kind of came together at the end for me. I would like to re-read the book to find the details that the movie left out.

MOVIE RATING: THREE STARS (out of four).