Her Fearful Symmetry by Audrey Niffenegger

her fearful symmetryWell this is a first. I always have a lot to say about the books I read, my opinions on the writing (good or bad) and if I would recommend the book. But I have found a novel that left me…speechless. Not sure what to say, whether good or bad. Not even sure if I should recommend it to others.

I was looking forward to reading Her Fearful Symmetry by Audrey Niffenegger, her sophomore novel after The Time Traveler’s Wife. I hadn’t read or seen the movie, but heard many good things and eagerly anticipated opening her latest. I was left feeling confused, unsettled, and plain unsure about what I just read. I always jot down my rating as soon as I finish a book, but I just stared blankly at my notebook, not sure what to write. Kind of like I am doing now for this review, except I’m at a computer.

The story begins with the untimely death of Elspeth, twin sister to Edie and lover to Robert. Aunt to young girls, Julia and Valentina, also twins.  Elspeth requests in her will that the twin girls move from the States to London to live in her flat for a year. During their stay, the twins meet Elspeth’s ghost, befriend some odd characters, become fascinated with the neighboring cemetery, and start to grow apart as sisters. Valentina begins to feel she will never be her own person with her twin constantly in the picture, and she and Elspeth devise a morbid plan to change that. The ending had me shout aloud, a strangled noise actually escaped from lips, I was so shocked by the events taking place.

Niffenegger obviously has a talent for telling stories and creating so many unique characters throughout one novel. The plot is interesting, though I don’t have much interest for the supernatural topics. I thought about giving Her Fearful Symmetry a three rating, but decided to up it to a four. My reasoning behind that is, I simply couldn’t stop talking about the story! I called my mom, I told my boyfriend and his mom, I told co-workers…it really got me thinking and talking to many people I don’t normally discuss my readings with. I also looked on Amazon to see what other readers thought, and they were over 400 reviews! Seems everyone wanted to give their opinions, and the ratings were anywhere from a 1-5. If you have read Her Fearful Symmetry, I would love to get your feedback on the story, and if you haven’t, give it a try. You might love it, you might hate it, but I can guarantee most will be left wanting to talk about it!

Rating: 4/5

4 Comments

  1. November 11, 2010 / 5:57 pm

    I saw the movie based on her book, The Time Traveler’s Wife, and absolutely fell in love with it. I think people felt the same way about it as you do about her latest novel.

    Some books are like that. I recently read The Glass Castle by Jeanette Walls (a memoir), and while it was really compelling and well written, the subject matter was so horrible that I felt miserable reading it. The only way I could get through it was in knowing that the author got through it, too.

    My curiosity is piqued, so I will definitely add Her Fearful Symmetry to my TBR list.

    Thanks again for an honest review!

  2. admin
    Author
    November 11, 2010 / 6:34 pm

    Thanks so much Lucie!!

  3. Kristine
    November 11, 2010 / 8:14 pm

    I’m reading the book right now, drawing close to the end. As you, I am puzzled by the story and don’t really know what to think of it, but that doesn’t change the fact that the book is very well written, with compelling characters.

    I actually see many similarities to The Timetraveller’s Wife. Althoug that one had a more universally engaging storyline, it wasn’t told just to please the readers, but to surprise and challenge. And not with your traditional happy ending.

    I will read this author again, although she’s not a new definitive favourite …

  4. admin
    Author
    November 11, 2010 / 9:14 pm

    Great insight Kristine! I think I as well will read Audrey’s future books, because even though it left me unsettled, it kept me thinking and talking about the characters and plot. And I like that about books!