A lot of people claim they would love to be immortal. But what if you actually were able to live a really long time? How would you handle all the changes, both in your life and in the world around you? How would you keep from being found out when people begin noticing you don’t age? How would you deal with losing loved ones who live out their “normal” life spans?
Those questions and more arise throughout the life of Tom Hazard, the protagonist in How to Stop Time by Matt Haig. Tom has a genetic condition that allows him to live for hundreds of years while aging very slowly. Spending his early years in a small village where everyone knows everyone, life becomes difficult for him and his mother when people begin questioning why he remains a child. That begins his life-long journey of leaving lives behind as he moves around to avoid questions. But it also brings him in contact with some interesting historical figures.
Eventually, Tom discovers there are others like him, as well as an organization to keep them safe. But there is a price to pay for safety – creating a new life every eight years and doing “favors” when required. In exchange, Tom is given whatever life he wants for a short time. But there is one big catch: no falling in love. Though ostensibly for the security of the organization and those with the condition (because no one wants to be found out and experimented with), there are psychological reasons for staying detached as well. But, of course, Tom does end up exploring the forbidden.
How to Stop Time is a well written, engrossing read. And thankfully (for me at least), it’s not as much of a love story as the description would have you believe. Nor is it a time travel story in the usual sci-fi sense of the term. Following Tom through his very long life provides opportunity for a lot of soul searching about the choices people make, mistakes, regrets, but also the little things that stick with a person and can have a positive impact on their sense of well-being. It’s obviously a very character-driven book, but it goes deeper than most fantasy thrillers.
The novel is available now and there are already plans for a film adaptation starring Benedict Cumberbatch.