“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 … 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.
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This is my first book by Matt Haig and I doubt it will be my last. I thoroughly enjoyed How to Stop Time. It’s told from such an unusual point of view that it’s hard to even explain without getting into spoilers. There are deep themes about mortality, wisdom, knowledge and love. I don’t normally enjoy when stories jump back and forth between past and present but with this one, it not only works, but it makes every element of the book better. I’ll be looking into more by Matt Haig very soon.
Wow – this is my first book by Matt Haig and it won’t be my last! I was intrigued by the first page and equally invested by the last. Innovative and moving, I look forward to reading more by him.
“How To Stop Time” is a really nice book. The author, Matt Haig, takes an original and decidedly non-heroic approach to immortality. Rather than secret masters of the world they are portrayed as mostly hiding – living in fear of being discovered by “mayflies”. Mayflies are normal people who usually live for less than 100 years. I enjoyed the book and happily recommend it. My only complaint is how hard Mr Haig works at creating an atmosphere and main character that is unrelentingly sad and melancholy – at least, until the very end of the book. For example: “Once, though, crossing diagonal paths across the school hall, seeing her looking sad, I can’t help but say, ‘Camille, I’m sorry… I’m sorry.’ And she gives a nod so small it might not habe been there at all, and carries on walking. That evening, as Abraham tries to shake off a Maltese Terrier a quarter of his size, I star over at the empty bench and remember putting my arm around Camille. The bench exudes a sadness, almost as if it remembers too.” Nothing wrong with some sadness and melancholy, but the first 280 pages of this story sure have a *lot* . Nevertheless, I did enjoy the book and I do recommend it.
A beautiful book with so many thought- provoking moments to make one contemplate life, time, and our place within it. As I finished the last page my first thought was that this is a book that deserves to be read again. Whether I will, I don’t know, but I’m sure if I do I’ll receive new insights and moments to ponder. Haig writes with a simplicity that makes this an easy read while also an in-depth one.
You know how sometimes you read a book by an author, love the book, then you pick up another of their works and it’s AWFUL? Matt Haig is NOT that author. I first read The Humans a while ago and had been eagerly, although tentatively wanting to read How to Stop Time.
When it finally came in from the library, I could not stop reading it. It moves between modern day London and several different eras of previous centuries as you follow the story of a man who slowly (very slowly) ages.
The story alone is excellent, but (and this is coming from someone who is not much of a “delve into the theme” person) the recurring themes of tolerance, and love, and what happens when we let our fear of outsiders get away from us come across in such a smooth and lovely and purely Haig-y way.
I wanted to like this one SO MUCH but despite repeated (seriously – like seven or eight) attempts, I simply couldn’t keep reading… I usually really like Matt Haig’s style, and the topic was interesting to me too. I love history, historical fiction, time travel, immortal/supernatural elements, magical realism – all of which were at least somewhat present here, but I just found myself faced with the same ennui as many of the characters. As I slogged through past experiences, obligatory famous people anecdotes (much in the way that everyone is someone famous in a past life, I guess everyone meets famous people in past lives), and teasers that never seemed to move into truly compelling promises of things to come, I just felt like I was forcing myself to turn pages, waiting for the drama to kick in. It felt like every other “immortality/super-longevity is SO overrated” novel I’ve read before, and even Haig’s style and characterization just couldn’t move me past that… If I hadn’t read a string of similar-themed books over the years, I would possibly have had no problems with this one – Haig knows how to tell a story and his writing is generally quite engaging – but it just didn’t work for me at this time.
My review copy was provided by NetGalley.
This was such an interesting book. To think of living so long with your loved ones passing you by is just so weird and sad. I loved how the book went back to many different periods in “Tom’s” life, but also to current times. The author introduces you to many different characters you learn to love or hate and really has you rooting for Tom. I would definitely recommend this book for those who enjoy both historical fiction or a bit of science fiction mixed with a bit of a love story.
Time travel is time travel, but this had a new twist. Gave you new things to think about.
Interesting look at regrets and the roads not taken. What if?
Intriguing plot, very well-written for a genre novel, and thought-provoking situations. The ending was too convenient in wrapping up all of the plot lines though, very close to a deus ex machina–that’s what kept me from considering it a five-star read.
I read well over 50 books annually. This book is one of my top ten favorites in the past year.
Loved UT from beginning to end!
Imagine if you only aged one year every fifteen years, imagine the scope you would experience, the perspective you would find, and the poignant loneliness of it all. Matt tackles all these points with poetic ease, reading this book is like chocolat fondant for the mind…I never want it to end, but at the rate I am devouring it…
I could almost fall in love with this author…almost. His mind is everything I adore.
Read this book. It’s beyond perfect. It will make you think. And then think again.
Another winner from Matt Haig, who intricately mines the emotional depths and drawbacks of what it means to live (almost) forever. His writing style is well suited to the exquisite balance of insight, believability, and exposing the loneliness, continual moving and starting over that would accompany such a seemingly intriguing gift.
Too predictable.
This is the best book I’ve read in a long time. I will keep a copy by my side as long as I’m able. What is the point of life? How can we reconcile love with loss. Unique!
“Rom-com”? Not by my reading. It’s not exactly time travel–the protag is just very, very old without showing it. His memories of his journey through time is immersive–much attention to period details and smells. Of course he picks up lots of skills and meets famous people. His quest and romance reach satisfying conclusions.
Original original….nothing like I have ever read but invokes deep thoughts. ( not the kind by Jack Handy)
Loved it!
Not a typical structure … keeps you moving back and forth in time. Makes you pay attention. I enjoyed it.