Have you ever had one of those reading experiences where you pick up a debut novel on more than a whim than anything else, only to have it completely blow your socks off? And then you wait and wait for their next book, eager to get more of the same?And then you read it, and it's just...meh?
I wish that wasn't the case with Audrey Niffenegger's second novel after the wonderful The Time Traveller's Wife, one of the rare books that affected both my wife and I the same way so our conversations about it were completely in sync. But Her Fearful Symmetry reaches for a much different tone and style, more of a gothic horror/romance and unfortunately Niffenegger envelops the story - about a pair of American twin girls who inherit a flat in London from their exiled Aunt after she dies only to find that maybe she's still there - has too many characters that don't follow through, are unsympathetic, and generally relies on some pretty obvious plot points, which leaves the best gifts Niffenegger brought to her debut - full embraceable characters that we spend enough time with to care about.
And that's the saddest thing about Her Fearful Symmetry. There's no one to really root or care for. When the book was finished, I just sighed, put the book down, and decided that while I'm still optimistic for Niffenegger's next book whenever it comes, my expectations will be a little more realistic.
11 comments:
Oh, this still intrigues me - horror goth romance...There are a lot of reviews saying a similar thing to you, (that they didn't like it) - sometimes that makes me want to read them, so I can see just what they mean.
I still have the Time Travellers Wife to read - maybe I should just stick with that! :)
Great review
Sadly, I've heard many people say "meh" on this one. I don't think it holds much interest for me. I'll do The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman for my cemetery book this year ;-)
Sassy Brit - if it peaks your interest, go for it...it's not a bad book, just a disappointing one. But TTW is pretty darn fantastic, too!
Aarti - as far as death and graveyard books go, I'd definitely recommend Gaiman's book over this one. enjoy it!
Yup, I couldn't get into TTW and am not interested in this, The Graveyard book is awesomeness though!!
It's a shame it didn't quite live up to expectations - I've heard a lot of people say the same thing.
I haven't read it yet, but like you, I loved TTW. Thanks for the honest review.
I have been so excited about this book. Haven't read the TTW but heard good things. Argh. Gaiman's all right when he doesn't stick too much to his formula.
Kate - Blasphemer! We will have only undying adoration of Gaiman on this blog. ;)
I like Neil; I had a great conversation with him one night at a very rainy Necon when several of us took refuge in Steve Bissette's room (the only reason Neil was hanging with the likes of yours truly). We had a mutual moaning fest about the various things that had gone awry in our lives (Neil's house was falling down on one side, Steve had issues with a bank, I was in grad school ;-).
See if this sounds familiar: nebbishy guy in a relationship with an attractive yet somewhat pushy woman, accidentally gets tangled up with a weird and somehow ethereal woman who causes him a lot of trouble, but eventually he finds that crazy woman has made his life better and he takes a final step into the unknown (and presumable H[if weird]EA).
I soooooo am not going to tell you about the time I almost killed Neil and saw my life and inevitable dismemberment by fan girls ass before my eyes.
-- or even "pass before my eyes" LOL!
aw no you beat me to it! I'm halfway through reading this at the moment and I have to say... I'm not tempted to read it in one sitting either. It's a fair dissapointment but "The time traveller's wife" is a hard one to follow...
K.A. - though it may get us banned, I agree with you on Gaiman - I've been up and down about his novels, but really enjoyed Anansi Boys and The Graveyard Book.
And my S.O.F. pre-20th Century is next week's post - I hope we can compare and expand on the five I post!
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