How to Stop Time
By Matt Haig
- Release Date: 2018-02-06
- Genre: Historical Fiction
Description
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.
Reviews
A life with unlimited time
4By Pookie1321Tom isn’t aging, at least in the traditional sense. He is over 400 years old but looks mid 30’s. He’s seen a lot in his life and is haunted by the love of his past. But when he meets Camille, a French teacher, he’s captivated by her and starts thinking differently about how he’s lived his life and how he wants to move forward. A good novel to make you think about time, love and friendships.How To Stop Time
5By nmc93147I loved the rawness of emotions & the history in this book.Riveting
5By Jl12o345laRiveting, page turning dive into the pitfalls of living foreverAmazing read!
5By mystery lover 4I couldn’t put this book down! I am looking forward to watching the film version of this book!Love this book!
5By DTCorsoAbsolutely wonderful!Time
3By Spy LifeTime is one of the greatest phenomenons there is. As man gets smarter. As technology and worlds grow. No one has or will master time. This book speaks to that. I love this author. Midnight Library is one of my all time favorite books. But…I felt this book was missing something. Very enjoyable read. If you liked this book go read Mitch Albom’s book called the time keeper.great book
5By Hot_is_the_name_i felt that the beginning was a bit slower but all those pieces were hugely important to the full puzzle. as the reader, we needed to understand tom as well as he understood himself which, was difficult considering the plot but it was explained so well! very heart warming and EXTREMELY thought provoking. another wonderful book!Another great one from Matt
5By Karla1012Very enchanting book for anyone who loves history with a blend of fantasy and romance. Although I do not consider this a love story in a traditional sense but a book about society and their constant obsession with other times except those they’re currently living in. Although the climax wasn’t the strongest part of the story the journey there made it worthwhile. I couldn’t put this book down and loved the changing of timelines to drive the narrative.Time is only in the mind-
5By SPQRomerAlways enjoy reading books that spark the need to be introspective. This one invokes contemplation of how to live a full life and recognizing the small moments…… no matter how many years you may have.Magical love story
5By munsiniNot a love story about lovers as much as a story about love in life. Thoroughly enjoyable!Whimsical
3By ApplesuzPleasant and light writing, sweet story. Not quite the time travel I was looking for.Wonderful time odyssey
5By Danithegirl04Such an interesting and clever way to talk about time and life. I really love the twist of the story and how it’s like a historical fiction novel spanning 4 centuries as well as being in the present. Well done! Read this after Midnight Library and am very happy I did!!Amazing and thought provoking
5By E HugoI really enjoyed this book and I hated to have it end. Although some sections seemed to be drawn out a bit much there was never an unreadable moment! The concept of “time travel”isn’t new but I found this book to be a really fresh take on the genre.Fascinating read
5By KathyRDThis book didn’t disappoint. I have always been fascinated by the concept of time, time travel, and immortality. Instead of the usual vampire story, this one about a mortal man with a special condition addresses emotion - or the lack of - and the realization that time & “progress” don’t necessarily mean the world gets better or that people learn from the past. I would recommend this book and look forward to reading more of Mr. Haig’s work.Love them all! Matt Haig is an excellent storyteller!
5By jillhardy2Keep them coming! Love the stories and can’t wait for the films.Okay
3By jeanjamoThis book had an interesting plot, but it was very slow. For me, the climax and resolution fell flat. However, I’m sure that it will make an interesting film. I’d definitely watch it.Slow read
3By NoahRosenrosenThe interesting bits are subdued. I get making the mc a passive character in history but it just feels like a boring Forest Gump. Then when the book starts to get interesting we get introduced to some easily avoidable, false guilt conflict that falls flat. They were a frank conversation away from not needing 300 pages of bookIncredible
5By N.A.K.I.This book utilized the past and the present in clever ways to help to delve into the characters and the world they inhabit. It takes a simple concept and does a lot with it, using it to develop plot and emotion that lasts for centuries. One of the best books I’ve read.Fantasy & history
5By Jenny08540Lovely fantastical historic fiction!
