Her Fearful Symmetry - A. Niffenegger

Another one down - after reading Time Traveler's Wife, I figured I'd have to read Her Fearful Symmetry by Ms. Niffenegger.

This book follows the life of identical twins Valentina and Julie as they inherit their dead Aunt Elspeth's London flat and money. Upon learning of their inheritance you find that there is some sort of history between Aunt Elspeth and their mother. The will stipulates that the twins MUST live in the apartment for at least 1 year before they can sell it, and that their parents (Jack and Edie) can never set foot in the flat. So what's the bad blood for - no one really knows BUT you do learn that Elspeth and Edie are also identical twins. So why haven't they seen or spoken to one another in almost 20 years?

So the twins embark on their journey to London - move into the flat and meet their neighbors: Martin and Robert.

Martin - he's an obsessive compulsive whose wife has left him since she can no longer live with the madness.

Robert - he's the young lover of Elspeth, working on his thesis while providing tours of the cemetery across the street.

As time passes the twins acclimate themselves to London but at the same time grow apart. Valentina wants to become her own person, go to school, and wear black...but Julie is the stronger personality and Valentina simply never stands up for herself. So what happens? Valentina comes up with the craziest plan to free herself from the bondage of "twin-ness". Does it work out - well read it for yourself.

What did I think about the book? I'm on the fence. It definitely kept me interested because I wanted to know 1) What is this family secret and 2) Is Valentina's plan really going to work? I did get answers to both questions so that's a plus!

However, I was dismayed at the direction that Niffenegger decided to take with Robert. At one point in the book he is VERY mad at Elspeth and says "I will never forgive you". But apparently he does and goes on to live his life with the Elspeth.

You see, something happens between Elspeth and Valentina and I didn't think Robert would be willing to overlook Elspeth's actions. But he does!!!

In the end Niffenegger sorta fixes it. She makes it apparent that Robert is bothered by Elspeth. BUT still - I was really mad at how it all went down and though the book doesn't say Elspeth did it on purpose....it was DEFINITELY on purpose. Something about the last quarter of the book left me with bad feelings.

So should you read it? Pick it up....If the mystery surrounding the story is enough to keep your attention then keep reading. But come back and let me know how you felt at the end.

Happy reading!