By Josceline Foo

Henry DeTamble is an average librarian who lives in Chicago, save for one thing: Due to a genetic disorder, he gets swept off to another chapter of his life at fate’s whim every once in a while.

Translation: He is an unintentional time traveller.

Told through the viewpoint of his faithful wife Clare Abshire, readers are pulled into a heartbreaking tale of two lovers whose romance is put through the fire by the whimsical, and sometimes cruel, manipulation of time.

The book is a compelling page-turner. Emotions run high and Audrey Niffenegger has a way with narratives that sucks you into the very essence of Henry and Clare, whose emotional depth is revealed through their thoughts and choices.

Finally, after a two-year delay, fans will be treated to a silver screen adaptation starring Eric Bana (Troy, Star Trek) as Henry and Rachel McAdams (Mean Girls, The Notebook) as Clare, and directed by Robert Schwentke (Tattoo, Flightplan).

Judging from the trailer that was released early June 2009, expect a melodramatic picture, which Entertainment Weekly describes as “The Notebook crossed with Benjamin Button”.

As with all film adaptations, the hardest to please are the loyal fans of the novel, and already there have been many gripes about how much of the book has been and should be left out.

However, McAdams has since put the fears regarding the movie to rest.

“(Robert Schwentke) really explored the relationship and how you carry on with the love of your life when you have this imposition,” she said in an interview with Collider.com.

Perhaps the biggest shocker is the omission of Henry’s old girlfriend Ingrid, who many fans deemed important in Henry’s life and his outlook on love. According to Rachel, in the same interview, the film is a lot more focused on the romantic tussle between Henry and Clare.

Aside from that, the movie looks set to garner its own group of fans – hardcore romantics. In just 2 minutes of the trailer, Clare and Henry run into each other’s arms twice and make out at least 3 times that. Still, the movie tackles the same themes of love and faithfulness as the book, all set in picturesque Chicago.

So who knows what the future holds? Henry probably does, but for us mere mortals, we will just have to wait in anticipation to find out what happens to Henry and Clare.

Or perhaps just read the book.

The movie will be released in all major theatres in Singapore on Sep 17.