Her Fearful Symmetry

Her Fearful Symmetry
By Audrey Niffenegger
Scribner, 2009. 406 pgs. Fiction

When their all but unknown Aunt Elspeth dies of cancer, 20 year old twins Julia and Valentina inherit her entire estate. The inheritance is dependent on them living in Elspeth’s London flat for an entire year. The girls soon make friends with their neighbors. Upstairs is Martin, a brilliant man suffering from acute OCD and whose wife recently left him after years of tolerating his compulsive behavior and agoraphobia. Downstairs is Robert, Elspeth’s young grief stricken boyfriend. And finally, within their own apartment, Elspeth herself who, is now a ghost whose powers to interact with the world around her continue to grow.

After loving Niffenegger’s first novel, The Time Traveler’s Wife, I was extremely disappointed in her second. This book went from boring, to disturbing, to downright creepy. I had a very hard time relating to any of the characters. My favorite storyline turned out to be Martin, his OCD, and his attempts to reunite with his sweet wife. I doubt I will ever recommend this book to anyone.

CZ