I wanted to read Her Fearful Symmetry because I loved The Time Traveler’s Wife so much, both novels written by Audrey Niffenegger.
While I agree with some of the critics that said the plot and plausability was a bit thin in areas, and I wanted to know some of the characters more, I did find Niffenegger’s signature style – which I can only describe as a wall, and behind that wall a constant ache in the corner of your heart no matter your mood – still in tact. And that is what I craved from Nieffenegger and her second novel, so I was ultimately satisfied.
The story is about ghosts and has quite a bit of the supernatural, which I was expecting to find trite, if not downright tasteless, but I think Nieffengger’s treatment of these ideas was well done. It is so difficult to follow such a triumph and commercial success such as The Time Traveler’s Wife so I am really looking forward to Nieffenger’s next novel, which I expect won’t feel the pressure that Her Fearful Symmetry has. Have you read either book? What’d you think?
2 replies on “Her Fearful Symmetry”
I adored both books but I struggled to get past my initials desires for more of Henry and Claire. I should mention that because of The Time Traveler’s Wife, B’s wedding vows included a promise to not time travel. Now I appreciate the differences between the novels and that she did not try to just recreate what was previously successful.
I read both books – but read the Time Travelers Wife years ago and likes it better. Her Fearful Symmetry, like Time Travelers Wife, had the same unique writing style (which I love) and always leaves me aching for the book to be longer / I want to read more. One of the rare authors that can write well about “supernatural” without turning the books into a commercial, mass marketing driven “VAMPIRE” like series (like a Twilight). I appreciate that.