3.5 stars for Travelling to Infinity: My Life with Stephen by Jane Hawking.
I decide to read this book after catching “The Theory of Everything” in the theatre on 16 Jan 2015. Before this, I am not aware that this movie is based on a book written by Stephen Hawking’s wife, first wife to be precise, only that this motion picture portrays the life of the well-known theoretical physicist, Stephen Hawking who is also the world-famous author of “A Brief History of Time”, a book currently sitting among others on one of the book shelves in my study room.
“The Theory of Everything” is one of the best films I have ever watched. It is not just the storyline that makes this big screen engaging, but the outstanding performance by leading male actor, Eddie Redmayne depicting Stephen Hawking from his days in Cambridge University to his loving relationship with arts student Jane Wilde to his scientific breakthroughs, to his increasing physical dependence on others due to the fast deteriorating muscle degeneration caused by the motor-neuron disease plaguing him.
Perhaps most impressive of all is this English actor’s excellent act out of Stephen Hawking in the face of such adversity, making all amity warmer, all pain more poignant, and all sorrow sadder. Kudos to Eddie Redmayne for clinching the 2015 Golden Globe Awards for Best Actor – Drama. I may not have watched the performance of other nominees but I feel deep within that if Redmayne does not take home this Best Actor Award, no other nominee should.
Coincidentally, The Theory of Everything is actually one of the books written by Stephen Hawking. The book penned by Jane his first wife, on which the movie is based upon is in fact titled Travelling to Infinity: My Life with Stephen. However, I do agree that the former is better suited as the movie title since the word theory goes hand in hand with Hawking’s career as a theoretical physicist, and certainly a more catchy title.
Travelling to Infinity is a candid account of Jane Wilde’s early life and her thirty years of marriage to Stephen Hawking. True to herself, Jane writes about her fear, insecurities, unhappiness and phobia of flying as the wife of a physicist who is obsessed with science, being so consumed with his research of theoretical discoveries that he is unconcerned with the emotional aspects of his wife. Behaving as if he is the master of universe, Hawking comes across as a self-centred and inconsiderate husband, who is insensitive either deliberately or unintentionally, to the feelings and hardship borne by Jane.
In contrast to the loving tenderness, trust and mutual resolve to overcome challenges portrayed between the couple in the movie, Jane’s memoir tells of how Hawking’s adamant refusal to recognise reality, his reluctance to openly discuss his disability and constant rejection of the need for external nursing help to relief either Jane or their children of the strain, put tremendous strains on their marriage. In the eyes of Jane, Stephen uses his illness and disability as a weapon against his family, thereby trapping her into a downward spiral of despair, desolation and hopelessness, and always making her feel guilty of appearing disloyal by any suggestion put forth of the need for external help.
Though Jane also writes about their family living and working in harmony, supporting each other and participating in each other's interests, there appear to be more negative forces than positive ones as the difference in their beliefs resurface to haunt them in later years as the arguments get more personal, divisive and hurtful. While Jane believes that there is more to life than just the law of physics, Stephen does not hesitate to declare himself an atheist.
To rub salt into the wounds, Jane find herself in the unpleasant situation of divided loyalties. While she genuinely wants to help her husband to achieve all possible success which means travelling with him to conferences held in far flung places, she feels guilty for leaving their children, whom she owes an equal responsibility to, under the care of their grandparents. Thus, Jane is always torn between touring with Stephen and her obligation of playing the role of father and mother to their children.
Despite the book being dedicated as Jane’s life with Stephen, much is also spent on writing about Jane’s thesis, history of other countries, other scientists, other physicists and their theories including Jane's personal feelings and thinking about such. Unfortunately, some parts of the writing feel like fragmented thoughts as if the accounts are written as and when memory serves with no regard to flow of continuity. Also, there is the issue of long sentences, and by long, I mean really very long sentences which makes reading challenging.
Travelling to Infinity is a worthy insight to the inner-most feelings of Jane Wilde. Even as it is a heartfelt and sincere account of the years Jane has shared with Stephen Hawking, I like to think that it may not be a full picture of their lives together. Afterall, we are only seeing it from one side of the coin and I suppose Hawking has his side of the story to tell.
Publisher: Alma Books
Publication date: 1 Dec 2013
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Professor Stephen Hawking is one of the most famous and remarkable scientists of our age and the author of the scientific bestseller A Brief History of Time, which has sold more than 25 million copies.
In this compelling memoir, his first wife, Jane Hawking, relates the inside story of their extraordinary marriage. As Stephen's academic renown soared, his body was collapsing under the assaults of a motor neuron disease. Jane's candid account of trying to balance his 24-hour care with the needs of their growing family reveals the inner strength of the author, while the self-evident character and achievements of her husband make for an incredible tale presented with unflinching honesty. Jane's candor is no less apparent when the marriage finally ends in a high-profile meltdown, with Stephen leaving Jane for one of his nurses and Jane marrying an old family friend.
In this exceptionally open, moving, and often funny memoir, Jane Hawking confronts not only the acutely complicated and painful dilemmas of her first marriage, but also the relationship's fault lines exposed by the pervasive effects of fame and wealth. The result is a book about optimism, love, and change that will resonate with readers everywhere.
*Blurb from Goodreads*
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