Her Fearful Symmetry, book review

Audrey Niffenegger tackled a fantastical premise in The Time Traveler’s Wife, and she exceeded herself with Her Fearful Symmetry, which is, at heart, a ghost story.

Her story begins with the death of Elspeth Noblin, who bequeaths her London flat overlooking London’s Highgate Cemetery to her 20-year-old twin nieces, the daughters of her estranged twin. The twins move from America to claim their new home, embracing the adventure. In London, their lives intersect with others who dwell in their building – Elspeth’s lover, Robert; Martin, an OCD crossword-puzzler; and eventually Elspeth herself…

There are many disconcerting aspects of this novel, not the least of which is the fully drawn point-of-view character of a ghost. The omniscient narrative – an unusual choice for a 21st-century writer – also took some getting used to. As for suspended disbelief (spoiler alert!)... I was okay with the ghost, but I had more trouble believing that one twin would take her own life (albeit intending to be resurrected back into her body) in order to get away from her domineering twin.

I do wish Niffenegger had connected a few more dots as she wrapped things up. I like an author who trusts her readers’ intelligence, but a few of her concluding twists left me scratching my head. That said, Her Fearful Symmetry is a thoroughly intriguing book (if a more than a little weird) and the finale, while not hoped for, is nonetheless satisfying.