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.
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When I was around 10 years old, I read Little Women. How many times have you heard a grown woman say something similar to this? Maybe the age wasn’t the same, but nearly every woman I know has read Little Women at some point in their life. Nowadays it’s very possible they’ve seen the movie too, you know.. the one with Wynona Rider as Jo? I loved that movie as well!
I remember falling in love with Laurie and feeling so much frustration that Jo wouldn’t just give him a chance! I mean, I understood, but not really.. because at 10 years old, true love would conquer all! Now, as I read the book every year as an adult, I’m struck by how insightful Jo was, and how capable she was of making a difficult decision, but one that she knew would ultimately bring her happiness.
Louisa’s life was very similar to Jo’s. This biography, written by Harriet Reisen, of an incredible woman was rather dry reading and peppered throughout with excerpts of letters, journal entries and even a few memories. Her father, not unlike Mr. March, was away for a good amount of time (in fact, one letter he wrote home was copied directly from his letter to Little Women, in those first very few pages). Louisa had three living siblings, and her mother had various miscarriages. There was Anna, the oldest. Louisa, Lizzie and Abby (called May) later on. Fairly easy to see where she got her inspiration from.
The sheer amount of famous people that crossed the Alcott’s life was astounding. The irresponsibility of Louisa’s father was heart-breaking and the courage and strength of her mother was inspiring. I always had wondered what the home life of the author of Little Women was like, and, all dryness set aside, what a perfect model for a story her real life was.
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