I loved The Time Traveler’s Wife and when I saw Niffenegger was coming out with a new book I jumped on and immediately downloaded it to my Kindle (it was actually the first book I purchased for that). Just now I’ve gotten to the point where I can actually read it and I cannot believe I waited this long.
Like The Time Traveler’s Wife the author takes a more gentle approach to science fiction in Her Fearful Symmetry. Time travel and ghosts – normally these would be fairly cheesy but fun things to read about but with Niffenegger they become beautiful, fantastic and wistful things.
Several things about this book were fascinating to me. The mirror twins, the outcome of the original twins (which I had guessed, but only one part of), the betrayal of sorts. I cheered for Martin, felt Marijke’s pain, struggled to understand Edie’s stubbornness. I felt for Valentina’s trouble with Julia and tried desperately to understand Julia’s side (but I’m not enough like her to fully get it, I guess).
A few things about the book I struggled with. Mirror twins, but not in all ways (or if they are, things like..left and right feet being reversed were simply glossed over and not made a big deal over). The ease of the relationship between Robert and Valentina. Perhaps it was because time was really not discussed in the book that made it seem as if it progressed too fast.
But overall a peaceful, intriguing read that had me savoring every word written. I don’t do that often with authors, but Niffenegger has provided me another author to follow devotedly.
