Once again Niffenegger has done what she did so well in The Time Traveler’s Wife. She’s created a completely realistic story using supernatural elements that are unexpected and somehow completely believable (from the standpoint of enjoying a novel at least).
The story in Her Fearful Symmetry is completely different, but the theme of eternal and undying love (the benefits and detriments of it, to be specific) is strong.
Another wonderful feature of this novel is the way it’s told. It’s told with a 3rd person narrator, but instead of the narrator simply being omniscient, the thoughts of the characters are added in the first person. I’m not sure that I’ve read a novel that used this device — or at least not consistently throughout — and I loved it.
Robert is at the bedside of his lover Elspeth’s bed as she passes from life to death. He misses her. He spends time in her now-empty flat (we are in London after all) which is right above his, to try to hold on to her memory. Months go by, and he still misses her.
In another flat in the Vautravers building, Marijke is choosing to cut ties with her husband Martin and return to Amsterdam. She loves him, but his OCD compulsions have made living with him unbearable.
A year later two Americans will be added to the mix. Elspeth has left her flat and her fortune to her twin nieces, daughters of her own twin sister from whom she’s been estranged. A condition of their inheritance, which they can collect when they are 21, is that they have to live in her flat for a year together.
This seems like a lot of plot summary, which I usually avoid in reviews, but this is just the beginning — all of this literally takes place within the 1st 40 pages — and then, BAM, the story makes an odd plot twist. I went into this book completely cold — not having read any other reviews, not even looking at the back of the book. I knew that it was by Audrey Niffenegger and that I had enjoyed The Time Traveler’s Wife, and that I would likely enjoy this. If these facts are true for you, try to avoid knowing the twist. Just pick up the book and let it wash over you.
I ended up with two copies of Her Fearful Symmetry (one from the Regal Literacy to celebrate the new release, and one that I won on twitter, that I wasn’t really even trying to win). So I’m going to pass along my copy to you — U.S. shipping addresses only. Leave a comment if you’d like to win, and we’ll announce the winner on September 8.
We don’t generally review a book more than once. Dawn reviewed this book here when it came out in hardcover, but I couldn’t resist accepting a copy of the paperback version, and telling you about this contest at Regal Literacy, going on through September 17. Find out how you can enter to win a trip to London, one of 100 rare signed special editions of Her Fearful Symmetry designed by Niffenegger, and more, including a special prize package to bloggers if you post a link on your blog.
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Jennifer Donovan loves to read about the human experience, especially when set in exotic locales. She blogs about the human drama in her own life at Snapshot.
I loved Time Traveler’s Wife and have flirted with the idea of reading this book. I have been hesitant because it seems the feeling I have gotten is that this novel is far different. But since I have not read any review in complete, I may have that feeling wrong. Your line about going into this book cold turkey and saying that a potential reader should avoid learning about plot twist has me thinking that possibly this book is for me to read.
Of course, how can I resist then entering a giveaway, so please enter me. Thanks.
By the way, I like the cover for the pb far better than the hc. Actually, this cover is another reason why I am drawn again to the book.
I like this cover better, too.
It is different from TTTW, and there are certainly many on amazon who panned it — I guess because they were expecting something different. I hadn’t read any reviews until I posted my own.
I guess it’s not for everyone, but I loved it.
You know I can’t resist weighing in, right?? 🙂
TTTW is my ultimate favorite novel, but I really did love this one as well. It IS completely different- the tone, the style, the overall feeling. But it’s remarkable in its own ways- and definitely with plot twists that you don’t see everyday in contemporary fiction. And that’s the thing- it is a contemporary setting, but there’s an ethereal feeling to the whole thing that makes it seem like a completely different world.
Alrighty, I’ll shut my trap now. 🙂
Not only did I know that you’d weigh in, but remember my post TTTW assault of you with discussion questions?? Well — I’ve already copied and pasted the HFS questions into an email so that I can comment on them and get your thoughts too. Major dork (me, not you. Well maybe both of us).
I really enjoyed The Time Travelers Wife so I can’t wait to read this!
I have been curious about this book for sometime. Thanks for the review and giveaway! 🙂
I want to read it!!
I actually try to avoid reading summaries and the backs of books, though I do read reviews to get an idea if I want it or not.
This sounds great, though I have not read TTTW…
Also loved TTTW but was waiting for a review on this one before I dived in. Would love to win a copy!
Sounds like an interesting read!
I’d like to win this book.
sounds like a great read! thanks for the chance!
I would like to read this. Sounds good!
pbclark(at)netins(dot)net
I’d love to read this. Please count me in.
bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com
Oh my, I loved TTW, and I didn’t even realize that she had a new book out. (Guess I’ve been a bit out of it, LOL.) Glad to hear you enjoyed it. And thanks for the heads up, I’ll be sure to keep my nose out of the reviews until after I’ve read it.
PS: I just put it on hold at the local library. Surprisingly, I’m only 3rd in line and there are 12 copies, so I hope to have it in my hands soon!
I would love to read this book.
lkish77123 at gmail dot com
Ooh…pick me! pick me! I’ve been wanting to read this one, and I actually looked for it at the library yest., but they didn’t have it.
I also read and really enjoyed TTTW and I would love to read this book, too! Thank you for the chance to win it!
I read TTTW and really enjoyed it! I would love to read this book, too! Thank you for the giveaway!
I am so excited about this book! I would love to win a copy!
I’d love a chance to win. Thanks!
I’d like to read this book.
I would love the opportunity to read this book.
I would love to read this book!!! Thanks!
I would enjoy reading this book!
I’ve heard wonderful things about this book. Please enter me, thanks.
[email protected]
Thanks for the opportunity. I would love to read this book.
Please enter me in this contest.
CarolNWong(at)aol.com
Thank you for the giveaway.
I loved the Time Travelers Wife. I look forward to reading Her Fearful Symmetry.
I am not normally a fan of the “supernatural” in books, but I did enjoy the Time Traveler’s Wife, so I am sure that this book would be great too!
I’ve been thinking about this book since it came out! I’d love to wim!
It sounds like a very interesting book. Thank you for hosting this giveaway. I’d like to be entered, please.
iamstumbeline(at)yahoo(dot)com
thanks for the chance to read this fabulous novel 🙂
I have not read TTTW yet,,,now I want to read it and this one. Thanks for the review and giveaway.
I haven’t read The Time Traveler’s Wife, though it’s on my TBR list. I’d love the opportunity to read this one.
This one is on my wish list. Thanks for the giveaway!
I would love to win this. I am listening to the Time Travelers Wife right now.
You won Her Fearful Symmetry! Please respond to this email and send me your address, and I’ll ship it out to you.
I would love to read this! I just recently finished The Time Traveler’s Wife and I enjoyed it very much.
looks like a good one!
This is on my to read list. I would love to win!