Coming September 29, 2009 from Scribner
By now you probably know that last week, I, by a great blessing from the bookstore gods, snagged an ARC of this long-awaited second novel from the author of The Time Traveler’s Wife. I haven’t exactly been quiet about it, and well, it’s no secret that subtlety isn’t really my strong suit. I normally wait to write about books closer to their release dates, but it seems that I’m the first book blogger to have read this, and there have been a lot of questions, so I thought I’d answer a few.
I just finished the book last night, and it has basically rendered me inarticulate, so I’m going to continue processing the story and save my own summary for my formal review down the road. Here’s the description from the publisher:
When Elspeth Noblin dies of cancer, she leaves her London apartment to her twin nieces, Julia and Valentina. These two American girls never met their English aunt, only knew that their mother, too, was a twin, and Elspeth her sister. Julia and Valentina are semi-normal American teenagers — with seemingly little interest in college, finding jobs, or anything outside their cozy home in the suburbs of Chicago, and with an abnormally intense attachment to one another.
The girls move to Elspeth’s flat, which borders Highgate Cemetery in London. 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; Marjike, 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.
Niffenegger weaves a captivating story in Her Fearful Symmetry about love and identity, about secrets and sisterhood, and about the tenacity of life — even after death.
So, let’s start with the important stuff:
Does it live up to the hype?
For me, absolutely. I think all of us who adored The Time Traveler’s Wife (TTTW) have been not-so-secretly worried that it might have been a one-hit wonder, and I’m here to tell you that you have nothing to worry about. Audrey Niffenegger has successfully avoided the sophomore slump. Her Fearful Symmetry has the same gorgeous writing and skillful characterization we found in TTTW, and the story is, in my humble opinion, even more creative.
When The Time Traveler’s Wife came out, it was unlike anything else in print. When it was successful, it proved that if you write it well, you can take risks with plot elements and literary devices many authors are too scared to approach. Her Fearful Symmetry makes it clear that Niffenegger knows she’s got it, and she’s not afraid to flaunt it. She could have taken the safe route and written something just like TTTW, but she went a completely different direction.
And let me tell you, that’s a really good thing. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.
Okay, but is it like The Time Traveler’s Wife?
Yes and no. Besides Niffenegger’s wonderful writing, there were two things that made The Time Traveler’s Wife truly unique: the concept of a character being “chronologically challenged” (and the exploration of how it affected his relationship) and the format of the story, which constantly moves back and forth in time.
Her Fearful Symmetry doesn’t have either of those elements. It is not at all science fiction-y (not that I thought TTTW really was, but hey, it did have time travel), and it follows a linear timeline, and in many ways it feels like an older book. What do I mean by that? While Her Fearful Symmetry is undeniably contemporary, it is also very gothic, though I wouldn’t say dark. There are mysteries and secrets and ghosts and characters with almost supernatural connections to each other, and if you’re willing to take some leaps of faith and suspend your rationality a bit, you’ll be greatly rewarded.
Another big difference is that TTTW was all about the one storyline, the one relationship between Henry and Clare. There were supporting characters, and they were fully realized, but they were definitely secondary. Her Fearful Symmetry focuses on the sisters Julia and Valentina, but it also presents their relationships with the other people who live in their building and those people’s private relationships. I felt just as interested in their plot lines as I did in the main story, and I think that says a lot.
In short, Her Fearful Symmetry has all the great things we love about Audrey Niffenegger but goes in a completely different direction from TTTW and establishes Niffenegger as a writer of unparalleled creativity
Do I need to read The Time Traveler’s Wife first?
Nope. But you should read it anyway because it’s just one of those books you shouldn’t miss.
As I said above, Her Fearful Symmetry is an entirely separate work from The Time Traveler’s Wife, so you can just dive right in and wrap yourself up in the awesomeness. That said, I always try to read an author’s work in the order it was written because I really enjoy seeing how he or she grows and develops, and if there are common threads or themes that come up over and over, it helps to know where those began. But that’s a personal preference.
What else do you want to know?
I’m planning an ongoing conversation about this book up to (and probably beyond) its release date, so ask away.
Filed under: Book Reviews | Tagged: audrey niffenegger, books, fiction, her fearful symmetry, reading
Your post makes me want to read this book NOW! Need ARC hook-up,lol
I’m really looking forward to this one when it comes out.
I’m so happy that TTW wasn’t a one-hit wonder! Can’t wait to read this one!
Nice write-up. Right to the point and now I must read it.
Less than 2 months wait – that’s not bad
What a great post, and so happy to hear this. I finally just read and posted my review for TTTW (I was late to the game). Now I really can’t wait for this book and more of your thoughts.
I was pretty late to the game, too. I only just read TTTW last fall.
Ugh, I’m already 5th on the library wait list. This may be a purchase if I don’t get an ARC. Great to see your thoughts!
I am so jealous! I am pleased that it is going to live up to expectations and look forward to reading it.
Thank you for the information!
Oh, this makes me want to read it even more! I really enjoyed TTTW, it was one of those books that combined good enough writing and plot. I can’t wait!
Oh my goodness, I’m so glad you read this one instead of that other thing you were thinking about reading!!! It sounds so good! I’m glad to hear she avoids the sophomore slump and that it’s completely different. That probably helped avoid the sophomore slump. I’m looking forward to hearing more of your thoughts down the road!
I’ve been wanting to read The Time Traveler’s Wife and this just might be the motivating factor.
Seriously, Kathy? You haven’t read it yet? Go. Now. Read it.
I had no idea what HER FEARFUL SYMMETRY is about, but between the synopsis and your ravings, I definitely want to read this one!
I am soooooo glad to hear that it is different than The Time Traveler’s Wife! I think when authors deviate from their first “successful” novel that the second novels have a tendency to be better because the author is not “stuck” in a genre or topic. Then they just have to deal with reader expectation.
Excellent job building up anticipation for your review! Can’t wait to see it.
Thanks for sharing. Now I’m double dying to read it.
Hi Rebecca!
I work for Regal Literary, the literary agency that represents Audrey Niffenegger. Thank you so much for your interest in Audrey Niffenegger and your thoughtful review of HER FEARFUL SYMMETRY.
We want you to know about two special offers that you and your readers might be interested in. The first is for bloggers who have expressed interest in Audrey Niffenegger’s work and would like an Advance Reader’s Copy of HER FEARFUL SYMMETRY to review on their blog. Once they have reviewed it, they send us the link to their entry and we’ll enter them in a lottery to win either an authographed hardback First Edition of HER FEARFUL SYMMETRY with a “Thank You” note from Audrey, or a signed Collector’s Edition of HER FEARFUL SYMMETRY and to be flown to Chicago for dinner with Audrey, on us. You just need to be 18 or older and live in the continental United States. We’ve taken the liberty of entering you in this lottery.
The second special offer is for book clubs. Lottery prizes include up to 12 signed First Edition hard-bound copies of HER FEARFUL SYMMETRY, and the possibility to have Audrey visit one lucky book club in person.
For further details about these special offers and how to participate, follow the link below:
http://tinyurl.com/facebookhfs
OR email me directly:
hfs@regal-literary.com
Thanks again for your kind words, and I hope to hear from you soon!
Hannah
Aaaaaah…I can’t wait!
[...] Your questions answered: Her Fearful Symmetry [...]
So, I admit that I’ve not read Time Travelers Wife….
**hangs head in shame**
BUT
I might have to pick up a copy after reading this sorta review. This book is one that I would have likely picked up based on the cover alone. Hell, my favorite color is blue and it’s got creepyish roots and stuff sprawled all over it. I’m totally down with that. But hearing how wonderful you thought the story and characters were makes it even more of a must have.
I’ll be interested to read it for sure now.
I read the advanced copy as well. I agree, it totally lives up to the hype, however I did like her previous book better. It was highly addictive and very disturbing at times.
[...] kicked off this past week with a discussion of Her Fearful Symmetry, which I plan to continue talking about for the next several weeks. I can’t wait for all of [...]
Oh my, I can’t wait.
The Time Traveler’s Wife touched my heart in a very unexpected way. I rarely cry over books, but there were definitely tears during this one.
I was recently contacted by Regal Literary, the literary agency that represents Audrey Niffenegger. I was informed that I will be receiving an ARC of “Her Fearful Symmetry.” I am so excited and can hardly wait to receive it and jump in! I hope it lives up to my expectations. I really enjoyed TTTW and am looking forward to this new book. It won’t seem real until I actually am holding the book in my hands!
Yay for you! Her Fearful Symmetry is wonderful, and I’ll look forward to reading your thoughts on it.
[...] a couple weeks ago I told you all about Audrey Niffenegger’s upcoming book Her Fearful Symmetry (and okay, maybe I gloated a little bit about scoring an ARC so early). After I posted about the [...]
Okay, I’m anticipating this book like I have done so for Carlos Ruiz Zafon’s The Angel’s Game!
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I loved HFS. Just finished it yesterday, and still digesting the ending. Why do you suppose she chose to end it the way she did? I had to read the last couple pages a few times, and I’m still not 100 percent sure. I think it leaves the reader to determine the drive for the ending decision. I would love to hear other people’s opinions as I am still uncertain.
I’m still confused about one element of the story…who did Jack marry, Elspeth or Edie? Who is the mother of the twins? Why did Jack tell Robert he never slept wtih Elisbeth (acting as Edie) when ghost Elspeth claimed he did? And, I’m forgetting how the handled the whole pregnancy part….
He married the real Elspeth, and Edie was the mother of the twins….that’s what I got anyway. I think he didn’t realize he had slept with Elspeth b/c he was drunk. not sure though……
[...] Audrey Niffenegger at Regal Literary love bloggers, and I think they just might have appreciated my extensive gushing about Her Fearful Symmetry. So they’ve offered me an exclusive of this video of [...]
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