Truly a sad novel.
Haunting. Obsessive. Strange.
Not anything like the movie, the whole thing feels like a fever dream, one trying to fight the idea of fate or destiny. Which Richard and Elise both know is inevitable, that there "love" is but a dream within a dream.
I actually liked the book more, felt more realistic in how obsessive Richard was- the idea in the movie that someone would get that obsessed over a picture of an old famous actress to try to time travel to her was kinda far fetched but I still like both for different reasons.
In the book, Richard has a brain tumor and has serious issues. The whole story feels slightly unhinged, desperate, and feverous.
That being said, that desperation makes the book all that more intense, and it touches on the insanity of infatuation and lust well.
I find it telling: Maybe that's why Richard and Elise only were meant to be together for such a short time. Like a casanova, the brightest stars burn out fast but the brightest.