Helpful Score: 25
This is another novel by Audrey Niffenegger, the same author who brought you "The Time Traveller's Wife". If you're expecting a novel as good as, or better than "Time Traveller", then you might want to look elsewhere. First the good: it's a pleasant, non-formulaic story about sisterhood and a ghost and romance. There are a few twists and turns that you won't see coming. It's a nice change of pace to read a novel about a ghost who isn't particularly scary and hear her point of view. Now the bad: the plot moves achingly slowly. This novel is 400 pages and most of the action takes place in the last hundred pages or so. It was a challenge to stick with this book and not put it down. Also, the ending left me scratching my head and wondering "huh?" Finally, the characterizations seem a bit flat and two-dimensional. The reader is not particularly drawn to care for any character. The author seems to spend so much time creating a setting and backstory that she plum forgot to develop the characters adequately. Overall, I would recommend the book, if only for the interesting ghost story, but be prepared to commit to reading 400 pages.
Helpful Score: 13
Started off well but story line quickly became very weak. Character development poor. Characters were all completely self-centred and quite one dimensional. Could not recommend to anyone. Disappointing.
Helpful Score: 10
Since Her Fearful Symmetry is so different in tone, subject, and pace from Audrey Niffenegger's first novel The Time Traveler's Wife, it's unclear whether her fans will enjoy this new offering. A woman dying of leukemia bequeaths her estate, including a flat bordering London's Highgate Cemetery, to her estranged twin sister's daughters, Julia and Valentina. A pair of inseparable 'mirror twins' who have not met their Aunt Elspeth, they now have flush bank accounts and a posh London flat which they must live in for at least a year without their parents allowed inside. On first glance it's an escapist fantasy come true for any young person without any definite life plans, but one the girls accept with some trepidation. Once settled into the flat, they interact with their neighbors. Martin, the upstairs neighbor, is a genius crossword composer whose severe obsessive-compulsive disorder keeps him homebound, unable to chase after his wife Marijke who can no longer stand his lifestyle. Robert who lives downstairs was Elspeth's devoted younger lover, a historian writing a dissertation of Highgate cemetery. The final neighbor they meet is their Aunt Elspeth, whose ghostly spirit is unable to leave the flat.
Niffenegger excels at making quirky characters spark off the page with elegant prose that deals with themes of love, identity, obsession, and loss. I enjoyed the (some may say overly) long introduction--it takes about a year after Elspeth's death for the girls to move to London and meet the other characters. I enjoyed how London—one of my favorite cities—and the cemetery are portrayed. However, I was disappointed in how these characters whom I've grown to love ultimately behave. Their motives and actions in the last third of the book are not supported by earlier character development; it's rushed, kept from the reader, and unexpectedly profoundly sad. Those who didn't enjoy Niffenegger's treatment of time travel might not appreciate her non-religious take on ghosts either. Nonetheless, it's a book I'm glad I read. If I had wanted to throw it against the wall in the end, it is because I had gotten that invested in the writing.
Niffenegger excels at making quirky characters spark off the page with elegant prose that deals with themes of love, identity, obsession, and loss. I enjoyed the (some may say overly) long introduction--it takes about a year after Elspeth's death for the girls to move to London and meet the other characters. I enjoyed how London—one of my favorite cities—and the cemetery are portrayed. However, I was disappointed in how these characters whom I've grown to love ultimately behave. Their motives and actions in the last third of the book are not supported by earlier character development; it's rushed, kept from the reader, and unexpectedly profoundly sad. Those who didn't enjoy Niffenegger's treatment of time travel might not appreciate her non-religious take on ghosts either. Nonetheless, it's a book I'm glad I read. If I had wanted to throw it against the wall in the end, it is because I had gotten that invested in the writing.
Helpful Score: 9
I am always caught up quickly by Niffenegger's thoughtful prose and interesting characters. I was drawn in and captured by the promise of a truly excellent story, completely willing to believe whatever she asked of me for the sake of the adventure. A set of twins who are long estranged for unknown reasons, one living in England, Elspeth, and one in Chicago, Edy. Only Edy has children, and they are also identical twin girls, Julia and Valentina. Elspeth dies and leaves her flat in London to the twins she has never met with the stipulation that they must live there for a year, and their parents never set foot inside. The girls, incredibly young emotionally for their age (21), close only to eachother, not knowing what else to do with their lives, decide to take on the adventure. The plot involves a cemetery, which borders their new home and employs Robert, the deceased aunt's lover, who also lives in the flat below theirs. The most interesting and likable characters in the book are Martin and Marijke who live above the girl's flat. Martin has OCD that totally controls his life and drives Marijke to leave him suddenly after a long marriage to save her own sanity. I thought I had an idea of where this was all coming together, though the process and most especially the reasoning behind it, tarnished many of the characters I had come to really like. At the heart of most of their desire is selfish gratification, at any, I repeat, ANY cost! Of course these are ghosts we are dealing with here, so maybe the same moral expectations don't apply? Regardless, as the biggest part of the plan is executed, we are asked to stretch past anything that could be remotely believable. It was there I had to ask myself... Really???? Some of the characters were likable enough until then. But I, even MY gullible self, can't keep liking someone who is just plain BAD, ghost or human! I love her writing, her creativity, her imagination, the believability of many of her characters. I love the descriptions of London, the cemetery, the weather, the emotions, the history.
Ultimately, for me, I think this was a story about people getting what they asked for and realizing too late that the price was too high, then having to live (or relive) with the consequences. One very redeeming feature was Martin's ultimate truimph! A whole wonderful book could have been written about Martin himself!
Ultimately, for me, I think this was a story about people getting what they asked for and realizing too late that the price was too high, then having to live (or relive) with the consequences. One very redeeming feature was Martin's ultimate truimph! A whole wonderful book could have been written about Martin himself!
Helpful Score: 8
I absolutely loved The Time Traveler's Wife but I had a very hard time getting into this story. It starts out very slowly, gets better for awhile but unfortunately ends with a whimper. As others have stated the storyline has a lot of potential but I felt like the writer lost interest and just leaves the reader hanging in the end.
Helpful Score: 5
After loving The Time Traveler's Wife I was eager to read this and was sadly disappointed. I found this book rather charmless, the protagonists unengaging and the end creepily disheartening
Helpful Score: 5
The premise is terribly inviting: 21 year old twins move to London after inheriting their estranged aunt's flat & estate. They live next to Highgate Cemetery, and have dealings with their Aunt's boyfriend & neighbors. There aunt begins to benignly haunt them.
Other than that, it sucks. This is why I stay away from general fiction literature. The twins are soppy milquetoast used to getting their way, the boyfriend is a spineless wimp who takes up with one of the girls, and I don't know WHY so much time was spent on the upstairs neighbors. (Their lives are interesting, true, but really have nothing to do with the plot, it seemed the author was intent to legitimize her interest in OCD by adding a character to the book. )
And while I found the descriptions and history of Highgate Cemetery interesting... again, it just smacks of the author writing off a year in London as a tour guide at the Cemetery. This story could of happened anywhere else in London, or the world. The cemetery setting is barely necessary.
It was rather like being forced to read "The Scarlet Letter" in high school: someone called this 'great literature' because it has one stupid historically accurate bit. But the plot, the characters... one dimensional and pointless. I'd like to kick all their butts for wasting my time.
Other than that, it sucks. This is why I stay away from general fiction literature. The twins are soppy milquetoast used to getting their way, the boyfriend is a spineless wimp who takes up with one of the girls, and I don't know WHY so much time was spent on the upstairs neighbors. (Their lives are interesting, true, but really have nothing to do with the plot, it seemed the author was intent to legitimize her interest in OCD by adding a character to the book. )
And while I found the descriptions and history of Highgate Cemetery interesting... again, it just smacks of the author writing off a year in London as a tour guide at the Cemetery. This story could of happened anywhere else in London, or the world. The cemetery setting is barely necessary.
It was rather like being forced to read "The Scarlet Letter" in high school: someone called this 'great literature' because it has one stupid historically accurate bit. But the plot, the characters... one dimensional and pointless. I'd like to kick all their butts for wasting my time.
Helpful Score: 4
The story was good but seemed to fall apart at the end.
Helpful Score: 4
I,too,along w. many other readers was sorely disappointed in this book after being so entranced w. Time Travellers Wife. While I was delighted w. Ms.Niffeneggers' tale of love through time & dimension- I now think it was merely a fluke because she stumbled and fell flat into the mud with "Fearful Symmetry"- and I came away hoping that she will not try any further ventures into metaphysical territory!
The story does take ages to develop- after a brief introduction the supposedly main character of the ghost utterly disappears from the story 'till midway through the book.
After that things deteriorate to the point of losing any charm or willing suspension of disbelief on the part of the reader. The last 3-4 short chapters are rather brutishly shoved in as tho' the author had simply run out of story and hastily threw together a few clumsy, out-of-the-blue "explanations" just to finish the damn thing and get it off to the publisher.
It was especially annoying that communication between the young sisters was just "there" in the next to last chapter- with no explanation- when it was completely missing in the previous few chapters. Just put in to wrap something up -badly. As was the final chapter.
It was easy to figure out the "secrets" AGES before they were revealed and that made the book plod on even more slowly-- in addition to the revelation being confusingly written making it difficult to keep who was who straight.
I had high hopes for this new novel- but they were dashed most cruelly and it will be with great caution that I pick up another book by Ms. Niffeneger. Will check it out of the library after looking it thru - most definitely won't jump into the purchase line at the bookstore....
The story does take ages to develop- after a brief introduction the supposedly main character of the ghost utterly disappears from the story 'till midway through the book.
After that things deteriorate to the point of losing any charm or willing suspension of disbelief on the part of the reader. The last 3-4 short chapters are rather brutishly shoved in as tho' the author had simply run out of story and hastily threw together a few clumsy, out-of-the-blue "explanations" just to finish the damn thing and get it off to the publisher.
It was especially annoying that communication between the young sisters was just "there" in the next to last chapter- with no explanation- when it was completely missing in the previous few chapters. Just put in to wrap something up -badly. As was the final chapter.
It was easy to figure out the "secrets" AGES before they were revealed and that made the book plod on even more slowly-- in addition to the revelation being confusingly written making it difficult to keep who was who straight.
I had high hopes for this new novel- but they were dashed most cruelly and it will be with great caution that I pick up another book by Ms. Niffeneger. Will check it out of the library after looking it thru - most definitely won't jump into the purchase line at the bookstore....
The story line had SO much potential, but flat-lined with dull anti-climatic conclusions. And, too many characters without a pulse. Got through it, but won't read any from this author again.
Helpful Score: 4
I was so excited to see a new Audrey Niffenegger book on the shelves, because The Time Traveler's Wife is one of my all-time favorite books. I was so bored and uninterested, I didn't make it past the first 100 pages. What a disappointment!
Helpful Score: 4
Overall, I enjoyed this book. But I must say it is no where near as good as The Time Traveler's Wife. The plot was a little slow, especially in the begining and the ending was abrubt and left you in wonder. I did enjoy the fact that it was a ghost story, but told from a "friendly" ghost's point of view. There are also some twists and turns that you will not see coming.
Helpful Score: 3
Twins, Julia and Valentina, go to London to live in the flat left behind by their recently deceased Aunt Elspeth. Part of her will stipulated that they live there together for 1 year and their parents were not allowed to set foot in the flat. Their upstairs neighbor, Martin, suffers from OCD and agoraphobia which causes his wife to leave him. Their downstairs neighbor, Robert, is the lover of the deceased Elspeth who is supposed to watch out for these young girls. Elspeth remains in her flat as a ghost. The lives of these people (and ghosts) intermingle in various ways and have surprising effects of each other.
This story is very much a character driven work. Not too many big events take place but a lot happens between these characters. The pivotal character is the deceased Elspeth. All of these people had a connection with her and they are trying to figure out how to move on, until they find out that she is a ghost that they can communicate with. This throws a huge wrench in the plan and causes a very surprising end to the story â one you will never see coming. Another major character that cannot be overlooked in this story is Highgate Cemetery. The flat is located on the side of the cemetery, Elspeth's tomb is in the cemetery, and Robert is a guide for the cemetery as well as is writing a book about it.
The beginning was a little slow going but I really did enjoy delving into the lives of these characters â learning what made them tick. It was also interesting to see what happened to these twins who always did everything together. At the beginning they were one unit, but by the end you saw them as two different people. The ghost concept is handled very well, just like time-traveling was in her previous book.
For those who loved The Time Traveler's Wife â you will probably enjoy this book, but it is very different from TTTW.
3.5/4 stars out of 5
This story is very much a character driven work. Not too many big events take place but a lot happens between these characters. The pivotal character is the deceased Elspeth. All of these people had a connection with her and they are trying to figure out how to move on, until they find out that she is a ghost that they can communicate with. This throws a huge wrench in the plan and causes a very surprising end to the story â one you will never see coming. Another major character that cannot be overlooked in this story is Highgate Cemetery. The flat is located on the side of the cemetery, Elspeth's tomb is in the cemetery, and Robert is a guide for the cemetery as well as is writing a book about it.
The beginning was a little slow going but I really did enjoy delving into the lives of these characters â learning what made them tick. It was also interesting to see what happened to these twins who always did everything together. At the beginning they were one unit, but by the end you saw them as two different people. The ghost concept is handled very well, just like time-traveling was in her previous book.
For those who loved The Time Traveler's Wife â you will probably enjoy this book, but it is very different from TTTW.
3.5/4 stars out of 5
Helpful Score: 2
What a uniquely clever ghost story! Some quirky characters to love or loathe in the unfolding of this tale of human follies and the tangled webs we weave. The last fifty pages had me captivated. Well done!
Helpful Score: 2
Disappointing. Such a talented author and what a ridiculous story.
Helpful Score: 2
I was hoping this book to be as good as Time Traveler's Wife, but was sorely disappointed. It was not a bad story, but it didn't move me like Niffenegger's other novel. The plot twists were kind of predictable and the pace of the book was a little slow for me.
Helpful Score: 2
I was disappointed in this book. It is nothing like the Time Traveler's Wife. The story is long and drawn out. The characters are rather unappealing. It generally takes me 2 or 3 days to read a book. It took me almost 2 weeks to finish this one because I just did not care what happened. I kept reading because initially thought it would get better and in the end I finished it just to see how bad it was. The only interesting thing in the book is the Highgate Cemetery.
Helpful Score: 2
I am not a literary kind of person who finds symbolism and metaphors, but I bet there would be lots to find in this book. Quirky characters with their OCD, co-dependency, depression, etc. living near a beautiful historic cemetary in London where one finds solace, inspiration and employment. Ghosts, revenge, first love, parental love, there's lots going on in this good read.
I found this book interesting and well written. Something about the climax disappointed me while I was reading it but I can't say exactly why except that it wasn't what I expected (but I try not to read too much about a book before reading it because I don't like knowing what's going to happen).
The story presented an afterlife that was neither fanciful or dark (quite mundane in fact) and despite the absence of religious premise still left this reader almost comforted by its potential for the dead to provide the living with companionship. I even dreamed of having my own ghost kitty last night.
I found this book interesting and well written. Something about the climax disappointed me while I was reading it but I can't say exactly why except that it wasn't what I expected (but I try not to read too much about a book before reading it because I don't like knowing what's going to happen).
The story presented an afterlife that was neither fanciful or dark (quite mundane in fact) and despite the absence of religious premise still left this reader almost comforted by its potential for the dead to provide the living with companionship. I even dreamed of having my own ghost kitty last night.
Helpful Score: 2
I had mixed feelings about this book.
It starts off with some seemingly unrelated stories that soon come together. The main plot is about a pair of twins (one dies in the very beginning), and the (US) twin daughters/nieces that inherit her London flat.
I like the author's writing style (and loved her previous book). What I didn't like about this story is that A) a number of times it suddenly jumps ahead a few weeks/months without any "warning or explanation, and you have to that figure out because the weather is different, or people "know" things they didn't before.
and B) there are some KEY decisions people make that just didn't make sense to me.
Not "the big secret", but ... why didn't she just leave? Why did ANYone agree with the plan? Especially the ones that did!? It just didn't make sense.
It starts off with some seemingly unrelated stories that soon come together. The main plot is about a pair of twins (one dies in the very beginning), and the (US) twin daughters/nieces that inherit her London flat.
I like the author's writing style (and loved her previous book). What I didn't like about this story is that A) a number of times it suddenly jumps ahead a few weeks/months without any "warning or explanation, and you have to that figure out because the weather is different, or people "know" things they didn't before.
and B) there are some KEY decisions people make that just didn't make sense to me.
Not "the big secret", but ... why didn't she just leave? Why did ANYone agree with the plan? Especially the ones that did!? It just didn't make sense.
Helpful Score: 2
After reading the author's previous work, The Time Traveler's Wife, I was quite disappointed in this book. To be fair, TTTW was a brilliant work that will be hard to surpass. This book contains a similar supernatural phenomenon and captivating imagery, and as in TTTW, the truth unfolds slowly. The book is beautifully written and inventive, but the characters are unsympathetic. The psychological motivations and actions of the characters, especially the book's villain, are so hard to believe that I didn't enjoy the book.
Helpful Score: 2
This book held my interest to the end, but I was disappointed with how the author completed her story. It was a major letdown.
Helpful Score: 1
Morbidity at its best.....I forced myself to finish this book. So disappointed.
Helpful Score: 1
I love this author's writing style, her use of words and the way she describes things really puts me where she is. As others have pointed out, this book takes a somewhat weird and a little unexpected turn, although I still really liked it. I thought it was very inventive.
Helpful Score: 1
Omg how I loved every part of this unique story. It really opened my eyes to the world of the spiritual. Ms. Niffenegger certainly knows how to make you feel a part of her character's lives by letting you smell the hot tea, the mossy stones, the cat's dander. I have always wondered about the chemistry that twins share. Never thought this was too long of a story - just that it ended unlike anything I could ever imagine. I just may read this book over and over!
Helpful Score: 1
I really wanted to like this book. I loved "The Time Traveler's Wife" and couldn't wait for the release of this book but it left me a little disappointed. It definitely kept my attention and I couldn't put it down but it just wasn't what I had hoped it would be. It's not horrible but it's not great either........
Helpful Score: 1
The cruelty and selfishness of the characters in this book, as well as the odd twist in the second half of the story, have me not liking this story as well as I'd hoped. However, the story is well written and intrigueing. I'm on the fence with this one. I am very curious now about Highgate Cemetary, though!
Helpful Score: 1
I read this book very quickly. I was really interested to find out the big 'secret'...a bit different than I expected ~ I thought I had it all figured out! Anyhow, the book was really good but left me feeling conflicted and frustrated.
Helpful Score: 1
This book definitely was not The Time Traveler's Wife. It was slow and did not capture my attention. When the ending finally comes, it is very unsatisfying! I was disappointed.
Helpful Score: 1
To write a review that says the same thing that is on the "what this book is about" drives my crazy! So here is what I think in a nut shell....love the twist and turns, hard to get to the twists.... and the end was "huh?" So would I recommend this book? Maybe. Depends on who it is. If you like something odd and different than expected, read the book.
Helpful Score: 1
This book was all the rage here on PBS for some time. I put off reading this book because of the negative reviews on PBS. I really enjoyed this book. I prefer ghost stories over vampires or other paranormal themes. I thought this was a good solid book. Someone wrote in a review that the Martin Character was unnecesary and just a way for the author to write about OCD. I dont agree, I believe this book had layers of the same theme. Being trapped, being boxed in, sometimes by others and sometimes by your own choices. All the characters were building strength to do things they couldnt do before. Because of the reviews I waited for the terrible ending, or the terrible last 100 pages, but really I enjoyed it. It is a ghost story, it isnt real, so I didnt expect a book based in reality so I wasnt disappointed, anything could happen when you make stuff up. The author did a great job of making stuff up. Her explanation is just as plausible and anyone else's, cause we dont have enough prove to say otherwise.
Helpful Score: 1
I loved the Time Travelers Wife, but this one is bad. You can see the"twist" coming from a mile away, plus it doesn't even make sense. Very disappointed.
Helpful Score: 1
I'll be honest, I was afraid to read this book after reading so many negative reactions to it. Most people who liked Time Traveler's Wife seem to hate Her Fearful Symmetry. Since I'm one of those who really loved Time Traveler's Wife, I expected to not even finish reading this novel.
I decided to leave a short review because I actually thoroughly enjoyed this book. I loved the writing style, the story carried me along from page to page (making it hard to put the book down) and I just found it to be a really interesting, well-written story. My only gripe is with the ending, which I didn't care for. A more satisfying conclusion would have given this book 5 stars from me, rather than 4 stars.
I decided to leave a short review because I actually thoroughly enjoyed this book. I loved the writing style, the story carried me along from page to page (making it hard to put the book down) and I just found it to be a really interesting, well-written story. My only gripe is with the ending, which I didn't care for. A more satisfying conclusion would have given this book 5 stars from me, rather than 4 stars.
Helpful Score: 1
This book left such a bad taste in my mouth after I read it. It took a long time to get past the first couple of chapters and I was intriques by the ghostly qualities that developed mid-book. I felt that the points the author was making in the third and fourth chapters were repeated over and over and the big secret really wasn't such a big secret.
This book fell flat as it wasn't one bit scarey; only a tiny bit suspenseful
This book fell flat as it wasn't one bit scarey; only a tiny bit suspenseful
I really wasn't impressed with this book and it just was a little to out there for my taste. It seemed like it took me forever to finish reading it and once I did the ending was a bit of a disappointment. I read the Time Travelers Wife by her also but I'm not so sure I would read anything else she writes. Just not my cup of tea.
Page turner. The book was excellent, except for the ending. I liked the Time Traveler's Wife better because I felt the characters were more consistent.
Way different than her other book, keeps you wanting more and wondering where the story will go. A++ book!
Well, this was certainly a good choice for this month's book club book since it sparked a lot of interesting discussion! Though, I must admit, that I personally, did not like this book very much. It felt like a Victorian Sweet Valley Twins ghost story... And I must add add that SVH plots had more mature motivations that sheer selfishness like the characters in this book. I just found it unsettling that a book intended for a more literary audience than 12 year olds had a less sophisticated character structure and plot. Julia and Valentina were too emotionally stunted to be believable as characters, and this obsessive love between them was somehow coldly absent of love.
I do not really want to compare this to _The Time Traveler's Wife_, but I do not see a way to avoid it. Had I not known they were written by the same author I do not know that I would have guessed it. Mostly because _The Time Traveler's Wife_ was such an emotional, "warm" book and _Her Fearful Symmetry_ was dispassionate and cold. I did like the intricate backdrop (the Highgate Cemetery) for this latest novel, but I prefer the characters to have more charm and appeal than the setting.
There were definite aspects to this book that I did enjoy, such as Elspeth's acclimation to her new situation, as well as Martin's OCD (though I was not satisfied with the resolution). The pacing of the beginning of the book was so different from the end of the book, that the two halves most certainly did not display symmetry. Niffenegger's research was quite evident, but for her third book, I hope that she spends less time in the library and more time on construction believable and sympathetic characters and a more intricate plot.
I do not really want to compare this to _The Time Traveler's Wife_, but I do not see a way to avoid it. Had I not known they were written by the same author I do not know that I would have guessed it. Mostly because _The Time Traveler's Wife_ was such an emotional, "warm" book and _Her Fearful Symmetry_ was dispassionate and cold. I did like the intricate backdrop (the Highgate Cemetery) for this latest novel, but I prefer the characters to have more charm and appeal than the setting.
There were definite aspects to this book that I did enjoy, such as Elspeth's acclimation to her new situation, as well as Martin's OCD (though I was not satisfied with the resolution). The pacing of the beginning of the book was so different from the end of the book, that the two halves most certainly did not display symmetry. Niffenegger's research was quite evident, but for her third book, I hope that she spends less time in the library and more time on construction believable and sympathetic characters and a more intricate plot.
Hard to get into and a little slow but has a very interesting twist that makes it a great book.
I have to admit,.. It was a bit to drawn out for I kept reading thinking it would get better, had a different twist to it, but didn't really enjoy it as much as I thought I would
This book was interesting enough to keep me reading but still somewhat of a letdown.
I've got to admit, despite the rather lukewarm reviews that this book had received, (and I try not to read too many as I don't want to spoil
the storyline, just get a general feel for the book), I had to get it as it was written by the author of The Time Travelers Wife, my all time favorite of any genre I've read. But the reviewers were right. It was NOT the TTTW! (sigh)
That said, though I felt like I had to struggle at times to stay interested in this book, I was determined to solve the mystery despite feeling like I knew what was going to happen. Let's just say I was right but oh so wrong too! I won't rehash the whole synopsis of the book but in general two girls, twins, inherit a flat in London from their, until now, unknown aunt who is their mom's twin. They must live in the flat for a year before selling it and their parents are restricted from entering it ( I just had to know why Elspeth felt so strongly about this).The younger twins weird, almost incestuous, commitment to one another was a bit unsettling at first but very necessary for the telling of the story. At times I felt like the book was much longer than it was as it dragged on and on (and not in a good way). While the ending was and wasn't a surprise, the journey there was arduous. And the trip IS the most important thing. The characters were fascinating, at first, though at times seemed more like 13 year olds than 20 year olds, and the descriptive locale made me feel I was wandering the streets side by side with the twins. Had I not had such great expectations for it after TTTW, I probably would have enjoyed it more. Definitely a check out of the library or get used (like I did) read. And though I was disappointed in this book, I'll be back for another of Niffenegger's works but will pay more attention to the reviewers.
the storyline, just get a general feel for the book), I had to get it as it was written by the author of The Time Travelers Wife, my all time favorite of any genre I've read. But the reviewers were right. It was NOT the TTTW! (sigh)
That said, though I felt like I had to struggle at times to stay interested in this book, I was determined to solve the mystery despite feeling like I knew what was going to happen. Let's just say I was right but oh so wrong too! I won't rehash the whole synopsis of the book but in general two girls, twins, inherit a flat in London from their, until now, unknown aunt who is their mom's twin. They must live in the flat for a year before selling it and their parents are restricted from entering it ( I just had to know why Elspeth felt so strongly about this).The younger twins weird, almost incestuous, commitment to one another was a bit unsettling at first but very necessary for the telling of the story. At times I felt like the book was much longer than it was as it dragged on and on (and not in a good way). While the ending was and wasn't a surprise, the journey there was arduous. And the trip IS the most important thing. The characters were fascinating, at first, though at times seemed more like 13 year olds than 20 year olds, and the descriptive locale made me feel I was wandering the streets side by side with the twins. Had I not had such great expectations for it after TTTW, I probably would have enjoyed it more. Definitely a check out of the library or get used (like I did) read. And though I was disappointed in this book, I'll be back for another of Niffenegger's works but will pay more attention to the reviewers.
I was really looking forward to this book having loved The Time Traveler's Wife but this book was not nearly as good. I would say definitely read The Time Traveler's Wife if you haven't already and skip this one.
It was OK. I loved The Time Travelers Wife and had high hopes for this one. I'm just not a ghost story kinda person.
imaginative and unique. a great quick read
This was just totally weird. Its like throw as many things in the last 20 or so pages. I thought about quitting it a couple times. Could have found something better to read I am sure.
âElspeth died while Robert was standing in front of a vending machine watching tea shoot into a small plastic cup.â And so begins Audrey Niffenegger's Her Fearful Symmetry. This exquisitely written first sentence of the first chapter titled, âThe End,â both shocks and attracts the reader. The story itself is replete with unpredictable plot twists and turns.
As one who has not yet read Niffenegger's blockbuster The Time Traveler's Wife I was able to enjoy the novel without the raised expectations (and/or assumptions) that some readers experienced. As such I can honestly say that I loved Her Fearful Symmetry even as I also confess that I did not love the main characters (apart from the OCD neighbor Martin) or the ending. Normally, these factors would probably negate my enjoyment of the novel, but such is not the case because Niffenegger's tale is that engaging!
This modern-gothic, character-driven novel is set in London and, more specifically, Highgate Cemetery. The famous cemetery is central to the plot and becomes an additional character in the story. In fact the novel did such a thorough job of incorporating its essence into the story that I now hope to visit it someday!
Her Fearful Symmetry is a well-written unique story that is hard to put down!
Publisher: Scribner; Simon & Schuster(September 29, 2009), 416 pages
Review Copy Provided Courtesy of the publisher.
As one who has not yet read Niffenegger's blockbuster The Time Traveler's Wife I was able to enjoy the novel without the raised expectations (and/or assumptions) that some readers experienced. As such I can honestly say that I loved Her Fearful Symmetry even as I also confess that I did not love the main characters (apart from the OCD neighbor Martin) or the ending. Normally, these factors would probably negate my enjoyment of the novel, but such is not the case because Niffenegger's tale is that engaging!
This modern-gothic, character-driven novel is set in London and, more specifically, Highgate Cemetery. The famous cemetery is central to the plot and becomes an additional character in the story. In fact the novel did such a thorough job of incorporating its essence into the story that I now hope to visit it someday!
Her Fearful Symmetry is a well-written unique story that is hard to put down!
Publisher: Scribner; Simon & Schuster(September 29, 2009), 416 pages
Review Copy Provided Courtesy of the publisher.
I enjoyed this book. I did not like it as much as The Time Traveler's Wife, but it is worth reading.
An interesting story of mirror twins who inherit their aunt's flat in England. Unbeknownst to the twins their aunt is still living there. The dynamic between the twins is interesting as the one twin is very domineering over the other twin and the weaker twin just wants to escape from her. The aunt's ghost is watching over them and finds a way to communicate with them. Soon the aunt and the weaker twin work out a way for her to escape from the dominate one in a very unconventional way.
I found this book to be a good story. Different from any book I ever read, it kept me turning the pages. Some of the reviews called this a love story because of the relationship between the ghost and her lover but I wouldn't call it a love story.
If you read this book, forget that it was written by the author of the Time Traveler's Wife and just enjoy the book on its own merits. This is nothing like TTW but is still a book worthy of being read.
I found this book to be a good story. Different from any book I ever read, it kept me turning the pages. Some of the reviews called this a love story because of the relationship between the ghost and her lover but I wouldn't call it a love story.
If you read this book, forget that it was written by the author of the Time Traveler's Wife and just enjoy the book on its own merits. This is nothing like TTW but is still a book worthy of being read.
I loved every part of this exciting novel!! Listened to it while commuting and couldn't wait for my drive to work. The narrator did extremely well going from British to English accents and she had a tone for each character. Love does funny things to us and this supernatural story proves it in many ways. Get ready for a wonderful experience!
The writing's solid, the characters interesting and well depicted (though somehow the ones I ended up rooting for most, Martin and Marjike, were the oddest at the outset). Had it simply been an exploration of grief and love and identity, how they shape and twist the lives of the people involved, I would have liked it much more - those parts of the book are truly well done. However, the ghost plot veered into the bizarre about 2/3 through. Then I saw where it was ultimately going, and it simply became disturbing; it reminded me of nothing so much as Stephen King's Pet Sematary. Creepy and just... wrong. Ghosts, evidently, are one species of supernatural I don't care for.
I couldn't put this book down. I became engrossed with the twins. Through it I came to understand some of the issues that had been plaguing my sister and me, well mostly me, and I could relate with the conflict of wanting to be together and be apart at the same time. I came to love, hate, appreciate, and have a quiet understanding for the characters... And suddenly, it ended the way it did. WHY! All I was left with were more WHY WHY WHYs. It didn't make sense. I feel disappointed and betrayed by the narrator. I didn't understand Elspeth in the last few chapters. I didn't understand why no one sought to put things right. There was an unpleasant sense of resignation about how the story ended for all the characters. What I did love was Highgate Cemetery. I should have gone to visit at least once during the many times I'd been in London. I was spooked by Pere Lachaise 10 years ago, and I swore, no more cemeteries for me, but after reading this book, I want to walk where these characters have been. Seems silly, I know, a bit crazy and fanatic, all for a book. I mean, it's not like visiting Manhattan to seek out Carry Bradshaw's haunts. But I can't help it. The narrator was in love with Highgate, and really, it was the only part of the book that made me part with the book with a good feeling. Now I sit here, typing this review, with a bit of longing.
It was OK. The story set up was great but then it got a little out there for me?
I really liked this book when I started it. I really liked the characters and found it very interesting until I got to the end. It left me feeling very sad and dissappointed.
This book starts out a little odd but you get caught up in it. I was a little leery of reading it since I did not like The Time Travelers Wife. The story is so intriguing because of the twin aspect. The characters are very charming, not to mention quirky! My book club wished that the ending had been different, but I found it to be quite apt.
I was a little apprehensive to spend time reading this book after reading other reviews. I read The Time Traveler's Wife years ago, loved it and ordered this book. It sat on my shelf for a few years and I finally read it.
The story is interesting with one twist in the last half of the book that really caught me off guard. The concept that a person may "hang around" after death is interesting and has made me think especially because my father passed away recently. This book has been strangely comforting. Some of the characters seem rather pathetic, but I feel that if you have strong feelings about a character that means the book is well written.
Overall the book is worth reading. I got caught up in the characters and enjoyed it more than I expected.
The story is interesting with one twist in the last half of the book that really caught me off guard. The concept that a person may "hang around" after death is interesting and has made me think especially because my father passed away recently. This book has been strangely comforting. Some of the characters seem rather pathetic, but I feel that if you have strong feelings about a character that means the book is well written.
Overall the book is worth reading. I got caught up in the characters and enjoyed it more than I expected.
This was an interesting read - but I was disappointed in the ending. I rated it as I liked it because it did hold my interest. I was intrigued by Elspeth and how she continued to be a part of the character's lives even after her death. I enjoyed the London setting and the Highgate Cemetary piece as well - have added it to my list of places to go. If you were a big fan of "Time Traveler's Wife" (which I wasn't - one of the few books I liked much better as a movie), you may not like this much.
After reading the other reviews on this book, I didn't know if I would like it. So I put off reading until I came across it at my library. And I was pleasantly surprised to find that I really did like this book. I agree, it's not "Time Traveler's Wife", but it was still good, well written and researched, with a storyline that I got wrapped up in. So I would definitely recommend this as a good read.
Upon Elspeth Noblin's death from cancer, she leaves her London apartment to her American twin neices, Julia and Valentina. The girls had never actually met their English aunt, only knew of her as their mother's twin sister. Julia and Valentina are semi-normal American teenagers - with seemingly little or no interest in going to college, finding jobs, or anything outside of their cozy suburban Chicago home, and with an abnormally intense attachment to each other. The girls move into Elspeth's flat - which borders London's Highgate Cemetery - under the understanding that they must live in the apartment for one year before they can sell it, and their parents cannot enter the apartment.
As the twins embark on this new, adventurous chapter in their lives, they come to know the building's other residents. There is Martin, a brilliant and charming crossword puzzle setter suffering from crippling Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. Majike, Martin's devoted but trapped wife; and Robert, Elspeth's elusive lover; a scholar of the cemetery. As the girls become embroiled in the fraying lives of their aunt's neighbors, they also discover that much is still alive in Highgate, including - perhaps - their aunt, who can't seem to leave her old apartment and life behind.
I was somewhat undecided about whether or not I wanted to read this book. I generally love horror and books that have a tinge of the supernatural about them; however, I also have discovered this about myself: I just can't concentrate in order to read extremely long books. By this I mean, books of about 400 pages onwards, are somewhat daunting for me to begin. This book was unusual from the beginning: I wouldn't classify it as strictly horror - it's too gentle for that - perhaps Contemporary Paranormal Mystery, if there even is a particular genre called that? :)
I did find that the book was rather lengthy but overall I enjoyed it and give it a strong A! For those of you who've read Ms. Niffenegger's debut novel, The Time Traveler's Wife, and enjoyed that book, you might enjoy this as well as it was her second book written six years later. I started reading Ms. Niffenegger's work with Her Fearful Symmetry and am just curious: should I backtrack and read The Time Traveler's Wife some time? Or am I fine having read this book and enjoying it as I have?
As the twins embark on this new, adventurous chapter in their lives, they come to know the building's other residents. There is Martin, a brilliant and charming crossword puzzle setter suffering from crippling Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. Majike, Martin's devoted but trapped wife; and Robert, Elspeth's elusive lover; a scholar of the cemetery. As the girls become embroiled in the fraying lives of their aunt's neighbors, they also discover that much is still alive in Highgate, including - perhaps - their aunt, who can't seem to leave her old apartment and life behind.
I was somewhat undecided about whether or not I wanted to read this book. I generally love horror and books that have a tinge of the supernatural about them; however, I also have discovered this about myself: I just can't concentrate in order to read extremely long books. By this I mean, books of about 400 pages onwards, are somewhat daunting for me to begin. This book was unusual from the beginning: I wouldn't classify it as strictly horror - it's too gentle for that - perhaps Contemporary Paranormal Mystery, if there even is a particular genre called that? :)
I did find that the book was rather lengthy but overall I enjoyed it and give it a strong A! For those of you who've read Ms. Niffenegger's debut novel, The Time Traveler's Wife, and enjoyed that book, you might enjoy this as well as it was her second book written six years later. I started reading Ms. Niffenegger's work with Her Fearful Symmetry and am just curious: should I backtrack and read The Time Traveler's Wife some time? Or am I fine having read this book and enjoying it as I have?
This book was awful. There are no other words to describe it. I have not yet read Time Travaler's Wife, but i'm hoping that when i do, it will be a heck of a lot better than this book. It is poorly written, the characters are shallow, and it has a depressing, sick story-line. DO NOT READ OR YOU WILL REGRET IT!!!!!!!!
This is the follow up to one of my favorite books (and movies) of all time- The Time Traveler's Wife. This book isn't so much a love story as it is a ghost story.
The book was slow at times and the ending was just like "Really?" I was disappointed how the characters turned out, but it was a good cautionary tale that not every story has a happy ending and I am liking that realistic view from the books and movies I watch right now which is probably why I didn't hate it. But it was no where near the wonderful story of The Time Traveler's Wife.
The book was slow at times and the ending was just like "Really?" I was disappointed how the characters turned out, but it was a good cautionary tale that not every story has a happy ending and I am liking that realistic view from the books and movies I watch right now which is probably why I didn't hate it. But it was no where near the wonderful story of The Time Traveler's Wife.
Very disappointing ending.
This was absolutely a stunning read I could not put it down. The more pages you read the better it got. I did not see the ending coming and it left me in fullfilled contentment. Beautifully written and now i want to go to the cemetry.
Disappointing!
Delicious characters; quirky but wonderful story line. I couldn't put it down.
I had SUCH high hopes for this book. It started off with a bang and held me about halfway through.... Then it became transparent and I knew how it was going to end. And the end - well, it was just weird. The book just seemed to fall apart at some point, like the author knew she had to finish it, but didn't quite know how. On the up side, it was a quick read and entertaining for the most part.
Interesting take on life and death.
Seriously, I thought the writing was pretty nice at times, but what a ridiculous story. Can't think of any more to say about it, I thought it was nothing more than ridiculous.
