Status
Available
Call number
Publication
Vintage (2010), Edition: First Thus, 496 pages
Description
When Elspeth Noblin dies, she leaves everything to the 20-year-old American twin daughters of her own long-estranged twin, Edie. Valentina and Julia, as enmeshed as Elspeth and Edie once were, move into Elspeth's London flat and through a series of developing relationships a crisis develops that could pull the twins apart.
Media reviews
Niffenegger’s story is written with a lightness of touch and with a great eye for the oddities of human behaviour.
Niffenegger has always identified loss as her main subject, but here at least it’s dissolution: the grim inevitability of decay. The theme of doubleness feeds into this. Valentina wants to break free of the controlling Julia and live her own life, but can she survive without her? Forced
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togetherness, the “fearful symmetry” of the title, can lead to a diminution of individual identity, a merging of personalities. Sometimes apartness is preferable. Show Less
Instead of fabricating ghosts and faux-Englishmen, it's a shame that Niffeneggers didn't just cut away all the cobwebby Halloween trappings and write a moving, realistic story about a man with OCD who is trapped for real, rather than ersatz, reasons in a flat overlooking a cemetery. She sustains a
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mood, but it is vaguely repellent, rather than enjoyably disquieting. Instead of a lingering, unforgettable ghost story, this is the novelistic equivalent of a cut-rate séance, a parlour game complete with Ouija boards and cheap theatrics, as unconvincing as knuckles rapping under tables Show Less
Niffenegger is an extraordinarily sensitive and accomplished writer, and Her Fearful Symmetry is a work of lovely delicacy... But Her Fearful Symmetry is not a book of great emotional force, not the way Time Traveler's Wife was.
Mysteries and truths slowly unravel as the story progresses. The major plot resolves predictably, but its grim inevitability fits well with the genre, and a few more surprising twists produce an even more satisfying read than Niffenegger’s bestselling debut.
Her Fearful Symmetry is Audrey Niffenegger's gravely buoyant new novel of phantom loves and all-too-tangible fears.
There is something very self-indulgent about this book: At times you feel that the author wrote it for herself rather than for her readers, an uncommon feeling when reading fiction.
Lovers of Niffenegger’s past work should rejoice. This outing may not be as blindly romantic as “The Time Traveler’s Wife,” but it is mature, complex and convincing — a dreamy yet visceral tale of loves both familial and erotic, a search for Self in the midst of obsession with an Other.
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“Her Fearful Symmetry” is as atmospheric and beguiling as a walk through Highgate itself. Show Less
Although the reader is pleasantly carried along by the author’s ability to create credible characters and her instinctive narrative gifts, the novel lacks the emotional depth of its predecessor; none of the relationships in this novel have the intensity or poignancy of Clare and Henry’s liaison
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in “The Time Traveler’s Wife.” Show Less
User reviews
LibraryThing member Salander
I read the Time Traveler’s Wife recently and loved it. I thought it was quirky and a lovely story with likable characters. So I was quite looking forward to reading her 2nd book. I was… quite disappointed. I thought it started off promising, but the ending really gobsmacked me! I was so stunned
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by the lack of morals shown by a couple of characters (can I even call one of them a character? given that she’s a ghost…?) They all drove me mental! The inherent selfishness of pretty much everyone in the book and the oddness of Robert....I found myself not liking any of them. I wasn't invested in any of them and was just horrified at the way it concluded. I do love the way that Niffenegger can flesh out and develop characters, and even though I didn't like these particular characters very much as people, I did like the fact that they were well developed. I love the rich imagery in her works, I always feel like I'm right there when I'm reading her books but this ending was just a bit too out there for me! It kind of ruined the book for me and I hate a let down like that! Show Less
LibraryThing member Gwendydd
All in all, this was a fairly enjoyable read: it was certainly engaging, and I devoured it pretty quickly. It tells the story of Julia and Valentina, a pair of identical twins who inherit their aunt's flat in London when she dies. The aunt, Elspeth, remains in the flat as a ghost, and learns how to
There were lots of things I enjoyed about the book: the characters were engaging and, for the most part, believable. The story had the same bittersweetness of the Time-Traveler's Wife, where you want to read it all at once but you also don't want to keep reading because you know the end is sad. It's hard to pull off a good ghost story, because ghosts can be rather cliche, but the ghost is convincing and interesting. The flat where most of the action takes place borders on London's Highgate Cemetery, and Niffenegger includes a lot of fascinating information about the cemetery, which is woven seamlessly into the story. I will definitely visit Highgate the next time I am in London because of this novel.
However, there were also some things that I didn't like about the book. I thought the character of Julia was rather underdeveloped: of all the characters in the book, her motivation is the hardest to understand, yet has the strongest effect on the other characters' actions. She is very controlling of Valentina, and she comes across as pushy and and selfish and totally irrational. All of the other characters' personality flaws are well-developed and understandable, but Julia's are not, and this weakens the story. I was also disappointed by how little the characters reacted when they realized they were communicating with a ghost. The book would have been easier to swallow if they had all experienced a few pages of disbelief and self-doubt instead of just leaping into a relationship with a ghost. There were a lot of details that seemed unnecessary, or at least not integral to the plot, such as the fact that Valentina is a mirror-image of her sister, and the whole subplot with Martin and Marijke (which didn't seem to have much to do with the main plot, but was actually one of the most enjoyable parts of the book).
Ultimately, the book was emotionally unsatisfying. There's a lot of emotional trauma in the book (I was on the verge of tears on many occasions), and yet at the end I was just left feeling emotionally empty and unfulfilled.
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communicate with the twins and with her lover, who is rapidly falling in love with Valentina.There were lots of things I enjoyed about the book: the characters were engaging and, for the most part, believable. The story had the same bittersweetness of the Time-Traveler's Wife, where you want to read it all at once but you also don't want to keep reading because you know the end is sad. It's hard to pull off a good ghost story, because ghosts can be rather cliche, but the ghost is convincing and interesting. The flat where most of the action takes place borders on London's Highgate Cemetery, and Niffenegger includes a lot of fascinating information about the cemetery, which is woven seamlessly into the story. I will definitely visit Highgate the next time I am in London because of this novel.
However, there were also some things that I didn't like about the book. I thought the character of Julia was rather underdeveloped: of all the characters in the book, her motivation is the hardest to understand, yet has the strongest effect on the other characters' actions. She is very controlling of Valentina, and she comes across as pushy and and selfish and totally irrational. All of the other characters' personality flaws are well-developed and understandable, but Julia's are not, and this weakens the story. I was also disappointed by how little the characters reacted when they realized they were communicating with a ghost. The book would have been easier to swallow if they had all experienced a few pages of disbelief and self-doubt instead of just leaping into a relationship with a ghost. There were a lot of details that seemed unnecessary, or at least not integral to the plot, such as the fact that Valentina is a mirror-image of her sister, and the whole subplot with Martin and Marijke (which didn't seem to have much to do with the main plot, but was actually one of the most enjoyable parts of the book).
Ultimately, the book was emotionally unsatisfying. There's a lot of emotional trauma in the book (I was on the verge of tears on many occasions), and yet at the end I was just left feeling emotionally empty and unfulfilled.
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LibraryThing member EdGoldberg
Elspeth and Edie are twins. Elspeth stayed in their native England while Edie moved to Chicago after marrying Jack. They've been estranged ever since. When Elspeth dies of cancer, she leaves her estate to Edie's twin daughters, Julia and Valentina, with the proviso that they live in Elspeth's flat
The two girls accept the provisions and move to London. Living above them is Martin, a man with OCD, who cannot set foot out of his apartment. Below them, lives Robert, Elspeth's lover, who cannot get over his loss. Elspeth, after her death, becomes a ghost, her movements limited to her flat. Valentina can see Elspeth and develops a relationship with her.
Her Fearful Symmetry is a very readable book and the concept is great--how a ghost interacts with people and how it can impact someone's life. One of Niffenegger's strengths is her writing style and the time she takes to build up a story. However, in my opinion, she took less time in ending the story, leaving unanswered questions. There are ominous doings going on which she seems to rush through at the end.
Having said all that, I still recommend the book.
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for a year and that Edie not set foot in the flat.The two girls accept the provisions and move to London. Living above them is Martin, a man with OCD, who cannot set foot out of his apartment. Below them, lives Robert, Elspeth's lover, who cannot get over his loss. Elspeth, after her death, becomes a ghost, her movements limited to her flat. Valentina can see Elspeth and develops a relationship with her.
Her Fearful Symmetry is a very readable book and the concept is great--how a ghost interacts with people and how it can impact someone's life. One of Niffenegger's strengths is her writing style and the time she takes to build up a story. However, in my opinion, she took less time in ending the story, leaving unanswered questions. There are ominous doings going on which she seems to rush through at the end.
Having said all that, I still recommend the book.
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LibraryThing member Northern_Light
Elspeth and Edie are twins but live totally apart after something in the past. When Elspeth dies she leaves everything to Edie's twin daughters Valentina and Julia who she never met. They come over from America to London where they get involved with Robert who was Elspeth's boyfriend and Martin who
Having enjoyed Time Traveler's Wife I had high hopes for this book but sadly it didn't live up to expectations. I can't say too much without giving the plot away but it is so far-fetched at times it's hard to believe it's by the same author!
As time went on the characters become ever more ridiculous in their actions until the end which is just taking the reader for granted.
The sex scenes were totally unnecessary and add nothing to the story, in fact they just make the story even more tacky. Why do authors do this?
The only saving grace is the story of the cemetery which was informative and written well.
If this were the first book I'd read by the author it would have put me off her totally.
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never leaves his flat as he suffers form OCD which controls every aspect of his life. The flat overlooks Highgate cemetery where Robert works as a guide while writing his thesis.Having enjoyed Time Traveler's Wife I had high hopes for this book but sadly it didn't live up to expectations. I can't say too much without giving the plot away but it is so far-fetched at times it's hard to believe it's by the same author!
As time went on the characters become ever more ridiculous in their actions until the end which is just taking the reader for granted.
The sex scenes were totally unnecessary and add nothing to the story, in fact they just make the story even more tacky. Why do authors do this?
The only saving grace is the story of the cemetery which was informative and written well.
If this were the first book I'd read by the author it would have put me off her totally.
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LibraryThing member Quiltinfun06
I would have to say that Audrey Niffenegger has a powerful imagination and is a very creative author. I never read the Time Traveler's Wife but I do know what the story is about and Her Fearful Symmetry is written along the same imaginative lines. Wow!!!!
Twins, Julia and Valentina, inherit the
I enjoyed Niffenegger's writing style and found Her Fearful Symmetry easy to read. The body of the story held my interest even though most of it fell into the fantasy category. When I was finished reading the book, I was amazed at myself for having read it. Stories along this style usually are not my cup of tea. Even hours after putting the book down, I am still thinking about it and will suggest it to my fellow readers so that we can have a healthy discussion. My recommendation is definitely give it a try.
Twins, Julia and Valentina, inherit the
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estate of Elspeth their mother's twin who lives in London. They have never met this aunt because their mother and she have been estranged for over 20 years. The story that unfolds takes the twins to London to "discover" the secrets and intrigues of their aunt. They befriend some of Elspeth's neighbors, in particular, her boyfriend Robert who is preparing his thesis on cemeteries and the people in the graves buried there. Martin, a neighbor who lives in the upstairs apartment, suffers from OCD and hasn't left his rooms in years. Julia concerns herself with Martin and Valentina takes up with Robert which begins the process the twins go through to begin to separate their lives.I enjoyed Niffenegger's writing style and found Her Fearful Symmetry easy to read. The body of the story held my interest even though most of it fell into the fantasy category. When I was finished reading the book, I was amazed at myself for having read it. Stories along this style usually are not my cup of tea. Even hours after putting the book down, I am still thinking about it and will suggest it to my fellow readers so that we can have a healthy discussion. My recommendation is definitely give it a try.
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LibraryThing member bookappeal
(Advanced Reading Copy)
Mirror twins Julie and Victoria (one is a mirror copy of the other both inside and out) accept the conditions of their Aunt Elspeth's will requiring them to leave their parents in America to live in her flat in London for a year in order to inherit her wealth. Julia and
Niffenegger's tale requires a considerable suspension of disbelief but she pulls it off, creating a creepy, out of time atmosphere similar to Diane Setterfield's _The Thirteenth Tale_. Readers who prefer completely resolved endings will not be happy but various aspects of obsessive love are explored in these characters and their decisions amidst very unusual circumstances. London, Highgate Cemetery, and British culture are beautifully interwoven with the plot.
Unique, clever story; beautiful (but not overly-challenging) writing style.
Mirror twins Julie and Victoria (one is a mirror copy of the other both inside and out) accept the conditions of their Aunt Elspeth's will requiring them to leave their parents in America to live in her flat in London for a year in order to inherit her wealth. Julia and
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Valentina are always together, unlike Elspeth and Edie, their mother. But when they move to London, they start to grow apart. Julia forms a friendship with Martin, a neighbor with OCD whose wife has just left him. Valentina becomes close to Robert, the man who loved and still mourns Elspeth. All of their lives are thrown into chaos when Elspeth's ghost reveals herself, trapped in the flat and desperate to be "alive" again.Niffenegger's tale requires a considerable suspension of disbelief but she pulls it off, creating a creepy, out of time atmosphere similar to Diane Setterfield's _The Thirteenth Tale_. Readers who prefer completely resolved endings will not be happy but various aspects of obsessive love are explored in these characters and their decisions amidst very unusual circumstances. London, Highgate Cemetery, and British culture are beautifully interwoven with the plot.
Unique, clever story; beautiful (but not overly-challenging) writing style.
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LibraryThing member bragan
Elspeth Noblin, on her deathbed, wills her London flat to her estranged twin sister's daughters -- also twins -- on the stipulation that they live in it for a year. She then fails to entirely vacate the flat after her death. What follows is a story about ghosts, family secrets, various kinds of
It's hard to know quite what to say about this one. I read the first two thirds of it while feeling very low-energy and mildly unwell, and, despite a few minor flaws, it was actually a really good book for that: interesting enough to absorb my attention (which was nice, because it gave me an excuse not to get up off the couch), but not terribly demanding. So that was fairly enjoyable. But as the novel went on, the characters increasingly started doing things that tried my patience and lost my sympathy, culminating in an ending that annoyed me on a surprising number of levels and leaving me with an urge to throw my hands up in disgust and be done with most of them well before the author was.
I'm giving it three stars, but I honestly can't decide whether that's overly generous or mildly unfair. Which attitude I take depends on which part of the book I happen to be thinking about at the time.
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relationships, and many fun facts about London's Highgate Cemetery. It's hard to know quite what to say about this one. I read the first two thirds of it while feeling very low-energy and mildly unwell, and, despite a few minor flaws, it was actually a really good book for that: interesting enough to absorb my attention (which was nice, because it gave me an excuse not to get up off the couch), but not terribly demanding. So that was fairly enjoyable. But as the novel went on, the characters increasingly started doing things that tried my patience and lost my sympathy, culminating in an ending that annoyed me on a surprising number of levels and leaving me with an urge to throw my hands up in disgust and be done with most of them well before the author was.
I'm giving it three stars, but I honestly can't decide whether that's overly generous or mildly unfair. Which attitude I take depends on which part of the book I happen to be thinking about at the time.
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LibraryThing member Kasthu
Julia and Valentina Poole have inherited a flat, and money, from a dead aunt they’ve never met. One of the stipulations of Elspeth’s will is that the twins move to London for a year before selling the flat. Once the girls get there, they meet the other residents of Elspeth’s building: her
It’s a complicated novel to explain. Niffenegger’s novels seem to be populated with characters with biological irregularities. This time, it’s Valentina Poole, whose insides are the reverse of everyone else’s. She’s the “weaker” of the twins, with a heart defect and a very strong reliance on her sister. The story is a modern love story about identity; I think it’s no coincidence that the girls are in their early twenties, at that “quarterlife crisis” age when people are trying to figure out who they are. Valentina is the one with the biggest struggle as she tries to gain autonomy from Julia.
At the same time, the story is one part Victorian ghost story; Elspeth comes back, in a matter of speaking, from the dead, to haunt Valentina, Julia, and Robert. The Victorians are present without actually being present: Highgate, final resting place of George Eliot, Karl Marx, and Christina Rossetti, is a Victorian creation and Robert is working on his PhD degree in Victorian history. The story itself seems as though it was drawn directly from those old Victorian ghost stories. Although the ending isn’t quite what I had expected, and the author tries too hard to be British at times (over-se of British slang and terminology; heck, she even has her American characters thinking in British!), in all this is an excellent novel.
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lover Robert, a guide at nearby Highgate cemetery; Martin, a man with OCD (though it sounds more like Asperger’s syndrome to me); and we’re introduced to Martin’s wife, Marijke, who leaves him after 23 years of marriage.It’s a complicated novel to explain. Niffenegger’s novels seem to be populated with characters with biological irregularities. This time, it’s Valentina Poole, whose insides are the reverse of everyone else’s. She’s the “weaker” of the twins, with a heart defect and a very strong reliance on her sister. The story is a modern love story about identity; I think it’s no coincidence that the girls are in their early twenties, at that “quarterlife crisis” age when people are trying to figure out who they are. Valentina is the one with the biggest struggle as she tries to gain autonomy from Julia.
At the same time, the story is one part Victorian ghost story; Elspeth comes back, in a matter of speaking, from the dead, to haunt Valentina, Julia, and Robert. The Victorians are present without actually being present: Highgate, final resting place of George Eliot, Karl Marx, and Christina Rossetti, is a Victorian creation and Robert is working on his PhD degree in Victorian history. The story itself seems as though it was drawn directly from those old Victorian ghost stories. Although the ending isn’t quite what I had expected, and the author tries too hard to be British at times (over-se of British slang and terminology; heck, she even has her American characters thinking in British!), in all this is an excellent novel.
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LibraryThing member goose114
In ‘Her Fearful Symmetry’ the idea of life, death, and human relationships is examined. Valentina and Julia, who are mirror twins, inherit their Aunt’s apartment in London. The twins’ mother has had no contact with her twin in two decades and is nervous about her daughters moving to a new
While reading this book I wanted to move to London and live amongst these characters. The scenery was imaginative and creative and the characters were wonderfully intriguing and quirky. The supernatural aspect of the book really took over in the latter half of the book and I enjoyed that, but I’m not sure how I feel about the outcome of the stories. I both loved the ending and was disappointed. No matter what I eventually decide it does not change that this was a great book that will keep the reader thinking.
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country living in the home of an estranged relative. While in London the twins befriend their Aunt’s lover and an obsessive compulsive man whose wife has just left him. Soon the twins realize that their Aunt is haunting their apartment and begin communicating with her. The story that unfolds delves into the relationship between lovers, friends, and someone who shares your DNA.While reading this book I wanted to move to London and live amongst these characters. The scenery was imaginative and creative and the characters were wonderfully intriguing and quirky. The supernatural aspect of the book really took over in the latter half of the book and I enjoyed that, but I’m not sure how I feel about the outcome of the stories. I both loved the ending and was disappointed. No matter what I eventually decide it does not change that this was a great book that will keep the reader thinking.
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LibraryThing member DevourerOfBooks
usually when a publisher says that their book is ‘captivating,’ I take that with a grain of salt. In this case, though, they are spot on. I was absolutely enthralled by “Her Fearful Symmetry,” I could barely put the book down for any reason. One amazing thing was how well fleshed-out all of
Honestly? I think this was even better than “The Time Traveler’s Wife” and I hope that Niffenegger is hard at work on her next book – I just hope we don’t have to wait another six years!
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the characters were, including Marjike and Martin, the neighbors. The twins were often not particularly likeable, but I couldn’t help but love Martin and Robert. The story was deliciously creepy and had just the right level of paranormal activity, which Niffenegger made seem perfectly reasonable, just as she did with the time travel element in “The Time Traveler’s Wife.” This is all not even to mention the writing, which was lovely and descriptive. There was one chapter involving a desk drawer – read it, you’ll know what I’m talking about – that was simply fabulous.Honestly? I think this was even better than “The Time Traveler’s Wife” and I hope that Niffenegger is hard at work on her next book – I just hope we don’t have to wait another six years!
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LibraryThing member craso
A mysterious aunt dies and leaves her London apartment to her twin nieces. When the girls move in they find two very eccentric neighbors. They also find their aunt who is now haunting the apartment.
This is a character driven novel. They are well developed and you feel for them. Each is trapped
The setting of Highgate Cemetery is intriguing and lovely. The apartment house over looks the cemetery. Robert is obsessed with the stories of the people entoured there. The chapter where he conducts a tour of the tombs and monuments is very interesting. The author does such a good job of describing the cemetery that if I ever get to London I would like to take a tour of it.
This story evoked a lot of emotion in me so I have to recognize it as an excellent novel even though I was upset about the outcome of one of the plotlines. I refuse to compare it to "The Time Travelers Wife" because they are two separate books and should be judged on their own merits. Therefore I am giving it a five star rating even though I enjoyed the storyline of the author's first novel more than this one.
This is a character driven novel. They are well developed and you feel for them. Each is trapped
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either physically or emotionally; Valentina can't get away from Julia, Robert can't get away from Elspeth, and Martin can't get out of his flat. The twins, Julie and Valentina, are mirror twins. Mirror twins look like reflections of one another; a mole on the right cheek of one is on the left cheek of the other. They dress alike and do everything together which stifles Valentina. Robert, their aunt's lover, is obsessed with Highgate cemetery and with Elspeth, the girls aunt. Elspeth is lingering in her former apartment and can't fine a way out. Martin, a crossword genius with OCD, is trying to get better so he can leave the apartment and go to his estranged wife in Amsterdam. They all take drastic measures to escape. This is such a well written novel that when one of the characters does something despicable I was very upset and thought about it for a long time.The setting of Highgate Cemetery is intriguing and lovely. The apartment house over looks the cemetery. Robert is obsessed with the stories of the people entoured there. The chapter where he conducts a tour of the tombs and monuments is very interesting. The author does such a good job of describing the cemetery that if I ever get to London I would like to take a tour of it.
This story evoked a lot of emotion in me so I have to recognize it as an excellent novel even though I was upset about the outcome of one of the plotlines. I refuse to compare it to "The Time Travelers Wife" because they are two separate books and should be judged on their own merits. Therefore I am giving it a five star rating even though I enjoyed the storyline of the author's first novel more than this one.
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LibraryThing member wagner.sarah35
Her Fearful Symmetry is a tale filled with ghosts, death, family secrets, and identical twin sisters. I read this mostly because I had enjoyed The Time Traveler's Wife and the novels are similar in their fantastical subject matters. However, I felt that Her Fearful Symmetry simply was not as
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compelling and engaging as The Time Traveler's Wife. Furthermore, I enjoyed some of the secondary characters more than the primary. The obsessive compulsive Martin who struggles to overcome his disorder so that he can be with his wife again made a much more interesting character than Robert or the selfish twin Julia and Valentina. Show Less
LibraryThing member porch_reader
When Elspeth Noblin dies, she leaves her flat bordering Highgate Cemetery to her twin Edie's daughters Julia and Valentina. The one condition is that their parents Edie and Jack cannot enter the flat. But once the girls move to London, strange things begin to happen. I can't say much more. I don't
However, what I wasn't willing to do was accept that any of the characters, the living or the dead, would go as far as the people in this book do. Initially, their interactions are believable. I was even fascinated to learn more about the mysteries in the Noblin family. But eventually, I thought this just has to be the end. But it wasn't. There was even a chapter titled, "The End." When the narrator read those words, I thought, "Whewwww!" And then the narrator kept reading. Enough already! I stuck with it, but I can't say that I recommend this book.
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want to spoil it for you. But I was willing to suspend disbelief and believe in the creepy happenings near Highgate Cemetery. However, what I wasn't willing to do was accept that any of the characters, the living or the dead, would go as far as the people in this book do. Initially, their interactions are believable. I was even fascinated to learn more about the mysteries in the Noblin family. But eventually, I thought this just has to be the end. But it wasn't. There was even a chapter titled, "The End." When the narrator read those words, I thought, "Whewwww!" And then the narrator kept reading. Enough already! I stuck with it, but I can't say that I recommend this book.
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LibraryThing member PermaSwooned
When I saw this come up in an email from my e-bookstore, I downloaded it immediately. I didn't read anything about it; hadn't heard anything about it; had no expectations whatsoever. Well, that's not true....since it was by the author of The Time Traveler's Wife, I just knew it would be
The author is an elegant writer, and she does characterization very well. I had vivid images of all the main characters. I could also "see" the flats, the cemetery and the Postman's park from her descriptions.
It has suddenly come to me is that part of my problem with the book was that it didn't seem to have a clear center. Certainly a great story could have centered on Martin, the neighbor with OCD. I found the stories about Highgate cemetery to be fascinating and would have enjoyed a story surrounding the historian Robert and perhaps bringing in more tales of the people buried there.
We really only began to know Elspeth once she had died, and readers weren't really encouraged to warm to her. The twins were sort of unformed. There could have been much more made from the "mirror" twins theme that was completely ignored. Why even bring it up? Julia was supposed to be the more decisive and forceful of the 2 but was completely dependent and paralyzed by inertia. Valentina was supposed to be the more fearful and retiring and yet she had a concrete plan for her own adult life and independence. Her "solution" to help break free made no sense at all in any way shape or form and the book pretty much derailed for me at that point. The ending was abrupt and non-sensical and made me want to throw my eReader across the room....except that might break it and there are other, hopefully better, books still on it for me to read.
While I recommend The Time Traveler's Wife to every avid reader I know, I really would not recommend this book to anyone. Pity.
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imaginative, complex and fascinating. Right? Well....not so much.The author is an elegant writer, and she does characterization very well. I had vivid images of all the main characters. I could also "see" the flats, the cemetery and the Postman's park from her descriptions.
It has suddenly come to me is that part of my problem with the book was that it didn't seem to have a clear center. Certainly a great story could have centered on Martin, the neighbor with OCD. I found the stories about Highgate cemetery to be fascinating and would have enjoyed a story surrounding the historian Robert and perhaps bringing in more tales of the people buried there.
We really only began to know Elspeth once she had died, and readers weren't really encouraged to warm to her. The twins were sort of unformed. There could have been much more made from the "mirror" twins theme that was completely ignored. Why even bring it up? Julia was supposed to be the more decisive and forceful of the 2 but was completely dependent and paralyzed by inertia. Valentina was supposed to be the more fearful and retiring and yet she had a concrete plan for her own adult life and independence. Her "solution" to help break free made no sense at all in any way shape or form and the book pretty much derailed for me at that point. The ending was abrupt and non-sensical and made me want to throw my eReader across the room....except that might break it and there are other, hopefully better, books still on it for me to read.
While I recommend The Time Traveler's Wife to every avid reader I know, I really would not recommend this book to anyone. Pity.
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LibraryThing member crazy4novels
I usually experience a vague feeling of foreboding when twins are introduced into the story line of a book I'm reading; something in the back of my head whispers, "This can't end well." I guess I've seen too many popular movies featuring the good twin/evil twin trope or -- worse yet -- two evil
That being said, Niffenegger's initial introduction of Julia and Valentina, the twins in her newest novel, set me at ease. The girls live contentedly with their parents in a normal Chicago suburb. They've graduated from high school, but they're taking their time leaving the nest; it's too easy to sleep in, browse a fashion magazine or two, and slap together a PB&J sandwich for lunch to become overly zealous about college or a career. Their social life is somewhat stunted due to their close relationship, but they don't much care; there's plenty of time to work out the interpersonal logistics of dating in the future, and they're never lonely because they have each other.
The cozy predictability of daily suburban life is abruptly turned on its head when a letter arrives from England, addressed to "Julia and Valentina Poole." The girls' mother, Edie, was also a twin, and her estranged twin sister, Elspeth Noblin, has died a tragically premature death from cancer. Surprisingly, Elspeth has bequeathed her apartment, located in a historical home bordering the stone fence of Highgate Cemetery in London, to her two nieces, conditioned upon a peculiar prerequisite: The twins must live in the house for a full year, during which time their parents cannot visit or enter the house.
An important wrinkle to the story must be added here: Elspeth is dead, but not quite. She has slowly begun to materialize, ectoplasm-like, in her former apartment. Some of the most engaging passages of the book involve her gradual familiarization with her evolving "body," her attempts at mobility (she can't leave her apartment), and her desperate efforts to communicate with her former lover, Robert, who lives one floor down and makes frequent "grieving visits" to her bedroom. She contracts into a misty ball and sleeps in a cozy drawer of her writing desk when she's exhausted herself with attempts to push doors closed and puff pieces of paper across table tops. Unable to communicate with Robert, she must content herself with watching him interact with her nieces as they enjoy their new life.
So far, this may sound like a light-hearted romp of a novel (think "Blythe Spirit"), but things turn dark from here on out. The twins seem basically normal, but Niffenegger informs the reader that despite their age, Julia and Valentina still enjoy dressing identically alike, and they sleep in the same bed (spoon-style, no less). It's also clear that Julia is the increasingly stronger twin of the two, both mentally and physically. Elspeth slowly becomes more adept at making her presence known, and she's not ready to relinquish Robert. Add a budding romance, kittens that die and skitter back to life, eccentric neighbors, and the ever-present spell of Highgate Cemetery and its not-so-sleeping occupants, and you have the makings of a great contemporary ghost tale.
You may think you've figured out the plot, but you haven't. Niffenegger fills the last third of the book with unexpected twists and turns that will keep you guessing. There is one strained plot device that is patently implausible -- you'll know it when when you encounter it -- but the book is a must-read for lovers of gothic mysteries and readers who would enjoy learning the fascinating history of Highgate Cemetery (you'll feel like you've taken a personal tour of its mossy paths and ivy-covered crypts by the time you finish the book).
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twins who use their interchangeability to commit murderous deceptions (Jeremy Irons' dual role in Dead Ringers still has me shaking in my boots).That being said, Niffenegger's initial introduction of Julia and Valentina, the twins in her newest novel, set me at ease. The girls live contentedly with their parents in a normal Chicago suburb. They've graduated from high school, but they're taking their time leaving the nest; it's too easy to sleep in, browse a fashion magazine or two, and slap together a PB&J sandwich for lunch to become overly zealous about college or a career. Their social life is somewhat stunted due to their close relationship, but they don't much care; there's plenty of time to work out the interpersonal logistics of dating in the future, and they're never lonely because they have each other.
The cozy predictability of daily suburban life is abruptly turned on its head when a letter arrives from England, addressed to "Julia and Valentina Poole." The girls' mother, Edie, was also a twin, and her estranged twin sister, Elspeth Noblin, has died a tragically premature death from cancer. Surprisingly, Elspeth has bequeathed her apartment, located in a historical home bordering the stone fence of Highgate Cemetery in London, to her two nieces, conditioned upon a peculiar prerequisite: The twins must live in the house for a full year, during which time their parents cannot visit or enter the house.
An important wrinkle to the story must be added here: Elspeth is dead, but not quite. She has slowly begun to materialize, ectoplasm-like, in her former apartment. Some of the most engaging passages of the book involve her gradual familiarization with her evolving "body," her attempts at mobility (she can't leave her apartment), and her desperate efforts to communicate with her former lover, Robert, who lives one floor down and makes frequent "grieving visits" to her bedroom. She contracts into a misty ball and sleeps in a cozy drawer of her writing desk when she's exhausted herself with attempts to push doors closed and puff pieces of paper across table tops. Unable to communicate with Robert, she must content herself with watching him interact with her nieces as they enjoy their new life.
So far, this may sound like a light-hearted romp of a novel (think "Blythe Spirit"), but things turn dark from here on out. The twins seem basically normal, but Niffenegger informs the reader that despite their age, Julia and Valentina still enjoy dressing identically alike, and they sleep in the same bed (spoon-style, no less). It's also clear that Julia is the increasingly stronger twin of the two, both mentally and physically. Elspeth slowly becomes more adept at making her presence known, and she's not ready to relinquish Robert. Add a budding romance, kittens that die and skitter back to life, eccentric neighbors, and the ever-present spell of Highgate Cemetery and its not-so-sleeping occupants, and you have the makings of a great contemporary ghost tale.
You may think you've figured out the plot, but you haven't. Niffenegger fills the last third of the book with unexpected twists and turns that will keep you guessing. There is one strained plot device that is patently implausible -- you'll know it when when you encounter it -- but the book is a must-read for lovers of gothic mysteries and readers who would enjoy learning the fascinating history of Highgate Cemetery (you'll feel like you've taken a personal tour of its mossy paths and ivy-covered crypts by the time you finish the book).
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LibraryThing member bookchickdi
Audrey Niffenegger wrote the highly praised novel, The Time Traveler's Wife, which was recently turned into a movie starring Eric Bana and Rachel McAdams (who I just love- so talented!). Her newest novel, Her Fearful Symmetry, has just been published, making it a good couple of months for Ms.
The story begins in London, where Elspeth Noblin has just died of cancer. Her younger lover Robert is devastated by her death. Robert lives in an apartment in the same house as Elspeth, located on the edge of the grounds of the famous Highgate Cemetery.
Also living in the house are married couple Marijke and Martin. Martin has OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) so severely disabling that he cannot leave his apartment. Martin and Marijke are fascinating characters, and their relationship is fractured by Martin's illness. The author skillfully brings the reader into their struggle to live lives defined by mental illness.
Elspeth left her apartment to her twin nieces, Julia and Valentina, daughters of her own twin sister. Elspeth has not seen her nieces since they were young children, for mysterious reasons that are revealed later in the novel.
Julia and Valentina are unusually close sisters, even for twins. Their relationship is overly dependent on each other, perhaps to the point of dysfunction.
"It was a delicate thing, their private world. It required absolute fidelity, and so they remained virgins and waited."
Other people start to infiltrate this private world, in the form of a love interest for Valentina. Julia has always cared for her asthmatic sister, and Valentina's desire for more independence panics Julia.
A ghost also drives a wedge between the sisters. Valentina can feel the presence of the ghost more deeply than Julia. When the ghost reveals its presence to the girls, Julia compares it to being "like the sheep at Jesus' birth". It's an interesting comparison, foreshadowing the ghost's plan to rise from the dead.
Niffenegger weaves a magical spell in this beautiful novel. Her characters are complex, painted with shades of grey, matching the grey atmosphere of the cemetery in rainy London. The ghost story is intriguing, so different from other ghost stories in the way that the reader steps into the lonely life of a ghost.
The denoument of the story is heartbreaking. This is a novel that takes the reader on a remarkable journey, filled with secrets, love, sisterhood, loneliness, and the desire to live. I found myself thinking deeply about this haunting ghost story long after I finished it, a sure sign of a successful book.
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Niffenegger.The story begins in London, where Elspeth Noblin has just died of cancer. Her younger lover Robert is devastated by her death. Robert lives in an apartment in the same house as Elspeth, located on the edge of the grounds of the famous Highgate Cemetery.
Also living in the house are married couple Marijke and Martin. Martin has OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) so severely disabling that he cannot leave his apartment. Martin and Marijke are fascinating characters, and their relationship is fractured by Martin's illness. The author skillfully brings the reader into their struggle to live lives defined by mental illness.
Elspeth left her apartment to her twin nieces, Julia and Valentina, daughters of her own twin sister. Elspeth has not seen her nieces since they were young children, for mysterious reasons that are revealed later in the novel.
Julia and Valentina are unusually close sisters, even for twins. Their relationship is overly dependent on each other, perhaps to the point of dysfunction.
"It was a delicate thing, their private world. It required absolute fidelity, and so they remained virgins and waited."
Other people start to infiltrate this private world, in the form of a love interest for Valentina. Julia has always cared for her asthmatic sister, and Valentina's desire for more independence panics Julia.
A ghost also drives a wedge between the sisters. Valentina can feel the presence of the ghost more deeply than Julia. When the ghost reveals its presence to the girls, Julia compares it to being "like the sheep at Jesus' birth". It's an interesting comparison, foreshadowing the ghost's plan to rise from the dead.
Niffenegger weaves a magical spell in this beautiful novel. Her characters are complex, painted with shades of grey, matching the grey atmosphere of the cemetery in rainy London. The ghost story is intriguing, so different from other ghost stories in the way that the reader steps into the lonely life of a ghost.
The denoument of the story is heartbreaking. This is a novel that takes the reader on a remarkable journey, filled with secrets, love, sisterhood, loneliness, and the desire to live. I found myself thinking deeply about this haunting ghost story long after I finished it, a sure sign of a successful book.
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LibraryThing member dcoward
Her Fearful Symmetry is an odd novel of ghosts, love and obsession by the author of the Time Traveler's Wife. I found the thoroughly odd but life-like characters to be well-written and generally life-like; there are no real villains in this story. The ending has an inevitable feeling that filled me
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with dread about 100 pages from the end - I wanted to read with one hand covering my eyes! I would not recommend this to anyone looking for a love story though. Show Less
LibraryThing member shadiphoenix
Ok, it one word: Wow!. I mean this is worse and better than a ghost story. I never saw the ending coming, yet it all made sense at the end. Maybe not a happy ending, but possibly a just ending. I don't want to give anything else away, because that would take away from the immediacy of the end of
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the book. You have to travel through the entire book to get to the end. You have to read all of the beginning and middle to understand the ending. But I have to say that Audrey Niffenegger has taken her place along with Alice Hoffman in making the modern faerie tale, the old ones before the Grimms Brothers and Disney got ahold of them. This story just doesn't let you go, it lingers even after you've put it down for the night. And then..POW. knocks you on your butt and leaves you gasping for air. So all hail Aubrey Niffenegger, though I'd never want to meet her in a dark alley late at night. Show Less
LibraryThing member boo262
Not half as good as The Time Traveller's Wife. Well actually, the first half was as good. But after that it became more far-fetched and unbelievable and I didn't really enjoy reading it. Somehow the characters just didn't seem real. My favourite parts were about Martin upstairs struggling with his
There's suspending belief and then there's hanging your belief off a very tall building on a shoestring.
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OCD. There's suspending belief and then there's hanging your belief off a very tall building on a shoestring.
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LibraryThing member cocoafiend
For two years while completing my Masters’ degree, I lived in Highgate – on the less charming Archway side of the area. I delighted in beautiful Waterlow park, the wild eastern side of Highgate Cemetery, the cozy neighbourhood bookshop, and the view of London from the viaduct towering over
While it is certainly true that her Highgate is a wonderful place, emerging almost as a character in the novel, its success doesn’t compensate for the disappointment of the remaining characters, who – other than the charmingly realistic OCD sufferer, Martin – seem all too contrived. Perhaps the problem is the plotline. A neo-gothic tale of family secrets, estrangement, doubling (TWO sets of twins), and ghosts, Her Fearful Symmetry suffers from the ambitions of its story. It wants to get somewhere and sets about doing so at the expense of characters, who begin to do things that seem, frankly, out of character. By the time I finished the book, all my worst fears had been realized.
That said, I enjoyed reading about half or two-thirds of the book before a premonition of literary disaster seized me.
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Archway Road – a hardy structure made of Victorian ironwork from which people have unfortunately committed suicide. Imagine my delight when I heard about the setting of Audrey Niffenegger’s latest book.While it is certainly true that her Highgate is a wonderful place, emerging almost as a character in the novel, its success doesn’t compensate for the disappointment of the remaining characters, who – other than the charmingly realistic OCD sufferer, Martin – seem all too contrived. Perhaps the problem is the plotline. A neo-gothic tale of family secrets, estrangement, doubling (TWO sets of twins), and ghosts, Her Fearful Symmetry suffers from the ambitions of its story. It wants to get somewhere and sets about doing so at the expense of characters, who begin to do things that seem, frankly, out of character. By the time I finished the book, all my worst fears had been realized.
That said, I enjoyed reading about half or two-thirds of the book before a premonition of literary disaster seized me.
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LibraryThing member Storm_Constantine
I have mixed feelings about this novel. On the one hand I read it quickly because I wanted to find out what happened, but on the other I found some of the characters' behaviour unbelievable. I just couldn't believe that the gruesome plan that's hatched in the last quarter or so of the book would be
It's hard to warm to any of the characters, because all of them have traits that are irritating or they are plain stupid. While this does add a sense of realism - because who, in reality, is perfect? - the traits and stupidity did start getting on my nerves. But the setting of the novel is great - the old house overlooking Highgate Cemetary. I enjoyed learning about the history of Highgate and being given a glimpse of some of its fascinating stories. The writing is smooth and skilled, and the ghost of the novel is very different from the usual kind, being a strong and participating character in the story, not just a scary threat in the shadows.
I thought we were going to get a finish rather like 'The Monkey's Paw', and there is a short scene that seems to flag that that's the way it's heading, but then everything changes and the truly horrible becomes somewhat mundane. Still, it's an unusual tale, and I've not read anything like it, which is a great thing to be able to say about a book nowadays.
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countenanced by its participants. If anything, it's sickening, and how any of them could see it as a feasible solution to a certain problem stretches credulity until it snaps. The only thing I could think was that the participants were selfish, stupid and/or weak to the extreme. I did find myself balking at reading the climax of that particular section. However, it wasn't as revolting as I feared it might be.It's hard to warm to any of the characters, because all of them have traits that are irritating or they are plain stupid. While this does add a sense of realism - because who, in reality, is perfect? - the traits and stupidity did start getting on my nerves. But the setting of the novel is great - the old house overlooking Highgate Cemetary. I enjoyed learning about the history of Highgate and being given a glimpse of some of its fascinating stories. The writing is smooth and skilled, and the ghost of the novel is very different from the usual kind, being a strong and participating character in the story, not just a scary threat in the shadows.
I thought we were going to get a finish rather like 'The Monkey's Paw', and there is a short scene that seems to flag that that's the way it's heading, but then everything changes and the truly horrible becomes somewhat mundane. Still, it's an unusual tale, and I've not read anything like it, which is a great thing to be able to say about a book nowadays.
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LibraryThing member jlizzy
I have rarely enjoyed a book so much and then been so disappointed in the last quarter. It was a ridiculous turn of events that had the characters doing things that were, well, completely out of character.
LibraryThing member mrn945
As you know, this is written by the same author as the Time Travellers Wife. While I enjoyed Ms. Niffenegger's first book, Her Fearful Symmetry was significantly better in so many different ways.
First off, whatever you're expecting when you pick up the book, forget. There is so many different
Yes, it is a love story. Yes, it is a ghost story. It's also a fascinating history of a London cemetery and an examination of the relationship between twin's.
But the novel is so much more that just those descriptive sentences. There is something dark and twisted to the story that you don't expect. I kept second guessing my plot expectations - and just when you think you've figured out the story she throws something new at you. The book keeps you on your toes, and, if you're like me, you end up reading nearly all of it in one sitting.
The love story is unusual, the ghost story literally haunting. This was just a brilliantly written book. Ms. Niffenegger has an incredible talent for shaping phrases. Even if you ignore the interesting plot-line, the words themselves are sufficiently entrancing.
I keep tiptoeing around a description of this book, but the fact of the matter is that I can't find an appropriate way to talk about it. There is just something really special about this book, and the fact that it hasn't gotten more publicity is shameful. I urge you to read this book. In fact, given the topic, do it today, before Halloween. Don't worry, there is plenty of time to finish it!
First off, whatever you're expecting when you pick up the book, forget. There is so many different
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nuances and twists to this novel that you have to throw all expectations out the window.Yes, it is a love story. Yes, it is a ghost story. It's also a fascinating history of a London cemetery and an examination of the relationship between twin's.
But the novel is so much more that just those descriptive sentences. There is something dark and twisted to the story that you don't expect. I kept second guessing my plot expectations - and just when you think you've figured out the story she throws something new at you. The book keeps you on your toes, and, if you're like me, you end up reading nearly all of it in one sitting.
The love story is unusual, the ghost story literally haunting. This was just a brilliantly written book. Ms. Niffenegger has an incredible talent for shaping phrases. Even if you ignore the interesting plot-line, the words themselves are sufficiently entrancing.
I keep tiptoeing around a description of this book, but the fact of the matter is that I can't find an appropriate way to talk about it. There is just something really special about this book, and the fact that it hasn't gotten more publicity is shameful. I urge you to read this book. In fact, given the topic, do it today, before Halloween. Don't worry, there is plenty of time to finish it!
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LibraryThing member MCG1975
I enjoyed reading this book in spite of how I am about to describe it. If I were to compare it to a rollercoaster ride, the majority of the book would have taken place in line waiting for the ride or on the up hill climb. In comparison, the downhill slope was too short and fast.
That is about as far
I felt that in comparison to how thorough the beginning and middle of the book were the ending played out in a fast forward mode. Specifically with Valentina’s “decision” – less important decisions she made throughout the book seemed to involve more consideration. What transpired between Valentina, Elspeth and Robert could have been the most interesting part of the book but felt somewhat rushed. And if the Author was rushing to get to the final disposition of the characters in the end, I felt a little bit let down by how things sorted out.
It would be accurate to say that I enjoyed reading the book more than I enjoyed the actual story.
That is about as far
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as I can take the rollercoaster analogy. I did enjoy the character development and the laying of the groundwork of the story. The author took great care with the details and moved at a slow pace allowing the reader the opportunity for critical thought as to where the story may lead. To me, that was the real enjoyment of the book.I felt that in comparison to how thorough the beginning and middle of the book were the ending played out in a fast forward mode. Specifically with Valentina’s “decision” – less important decisions she made throughout the book seemed to involve more consideration. What transpired between Valentina, Elspeth and Robert could have been the most interesting part of the book but felt somewhat rushed. And if the Author was rushing to get to the final disposition of the characters in the end, I felt a little bit let down by how things sorted out.
It would be accurate to say that I enjoyed reading the book more than I enjoyed the actual story.
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LibraryThing member nee-nee
Her Fearful Symmetry By Audrey Niffengger. I liked where this book was going from the beginning. Twins (Julia and Valentina) inherit a cool London flat from an Aunt (their Mothers twin) they've never met, on the condition that they must live in it for a year and their parents must never be allowed
Until about halfway thru this book I was on board with the story line and the way the characters were developing. The twins had moved into their Aunts flat and you get to meet the neighbors, OCD Martin and their Aunts lover Robert. Their twin dynamic starts to change, Julia used to be in charge and now Valentina is starting to hold it against her.
Then comes this crazy, left field plot turn, outlandish secrets come out, and a plan that will send shivers down your spine starts to progress. This is the point where the book lost me. It seems like the characters were sacrificed to the story. The story gets crazy and the characters can't pull it off. It was unrealistic, or rather, unbelievable. I would have liked stronger characters because the twists in this story are very original (and creepy-weird). However, as it is, it gets a not too bad 2 1/2 stars
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in. Weird. Right? You don't know the half of it. Until about halfway thru this book I was on board with the story line and the way the characters were developing. The twins had moved into their Aunts flat and you get to meet the neighbors, OCD Martin and their Aunts lover Robert. Their twin dynamic starts to change, Julia used to be in charge and now Valentina is starting to hold it against her.
Then comes this crazy, left field plot turn, outlandish secrets come out, and a plan that will send shivers down your spine starts to progress. This is the point where the book lost me. It seems like the characters were sacrificed to the story. The story gets crazy and the characters can't pull it off. It was unrealistic, or rather, unbelievable. I would have liked stronger characters because the twists in this story are very original (and creepy-weird). However, as it is, it gets a not too bad 2 1/2 stars
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Awards
Dublin Literary Award (Longlist — 2011)
Whitcoulls Top 100 Books (41 — 2010)
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
2009-09-25
Physical description
496 p.; 5.08 inches
ISBN
0099524171 / 9780099524175