Her Fearful Symmetry in Busy as a Bee Books

Nov 15, 2009 Stephanie rated it liked it · review of another edition

Have you ever read a book and wondered at the end if you liked it or not? The first 300 pages or so of Niffenegger's latest novel were fantastic; the characters, the setting, and the plot all carried a gothic feel that I love in fiction tales. The air of mystery provided by family relationships made the book even more intriguing, and I powered through most of the novel in one sitting.

Then I came to the final 100 pages or so of the book, and I feel like everything just started to unravel. Things ...more

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Jul 26, 2009 Amy rated it really liked it

I really enjoyed this book in a completely different way than I did The Time Traveler's Wife (which continues to be an all time fav). It is about as completely different from TTTW than it could be. However, I thought it was wonderful. I really tried to read it as its own novel, with little thought about the fact that the same author wrote TTTW. That really helped me to keep them separate in my mind.

The writing was amazing - I love Audrey Niffenegger's writing style. I enjoy the way she tells a s ...more

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Jan 05, 2010 Lisa Hickman rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: library-books, busy-as-a-bee-books, bookmarks-2009

I really have mixed feelings about this one. On the one hand, I did find myself turning the pages; but on the other hand, I also thought parts of it were highly predictable and unbelievable.

I liked the concept of the mirror image twins and their connection and relationship. However, I didn't like Julia and was only lukewarm towards Valentina, whom despite her heart ailment seemed to have more heart than her sister. Initially, I had stronger feelings toward V, but after the decision she made, whi I really have mixed feelings about this one. On the one hand, I did find myself turning the pages; but on the other hand, I also thought parts of it were highly predictable and unbelievable.

I liked the concept of the mirror image twins and their connection and relationship. However, I didn't like Julia and was only lukewarm towards Valentina, whom despite her heart ailment seemed to have more heart than her sister. Initially, I had stronger feelings toward V, but after the decision she made, which I found wholly inconceivable and out of character, I liked her much less.

I loved the gothic setting of Highgates Cemetery. I was actually fascinated with its history. I could see how Robert became so obsessed with his thesis on the subject, and how he lived and breathed the subject of death, he sort of acted in a trance when he aided V and Elspeth. I don't buy the fact the undertakers helped him with his flimsy explanation. I also don't understand how nothing came of his other Highgates friends not doing anything when they saw him with V after the event. It makes no sense to me.

I liked the story surrounding Martin. He exemplified living in isolation to an extreme with his OCD. Like many people living with this syndrome, he knew he had unreasonable obsessions, but felt powerless to do anything about them on his own. All the tenants of this house lived in their own self-imposed isolations. Robert was isolated due to his work on his thesis, which was monumental, and due to his grief for Elspeth. The twins were isolated by the fact they were strangers in England, and also by the fact that Julia only wanted to do things and be with Valentina. Anytime V found something she liked to do without J, then J forced her to quit. The theme of isolation upped the creepy, gothic factor.

I predicted from the outset, the situation with Elspeth and Edie, the original twins. It's a rather cliche technique that I could've forgiven if I had liked these characters the least little bit. I also predicted what was going to happen with Elspeth once she made her presence known. I just found V's participation implausible, which detracted from my pleasure in the book.

Lastly, Martin made a step in overcoming his OCD by going after Marijke. Robert also let go of his obsession with Elspeth. I could feel these events happening. I didn't see it coming that J would give up her obsession with V, by setting her free. It just seemed to suddenly happen. With a little tweaking, I think this could've been an excellent book.

My rating: ***1/2 ...more

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Dec 30, 2009 KrisT rated it really liked it

Shelves: tbr-2010, read-2010, must-get-to-in-2010

I am not sure how I feel about this second novel by Audrey Niffenegger. I was interested in the characters from the beginning. I knew there would be twists and turns and in this the author came through. Interesting and complex.

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Dec 30, 2009 Adonica rated it liked it

Liked the book, but was very unsatisfied with the ending. Thought there should be more, but not exactly sure what...if any other author had written this book, I probably would have put it down about 1/4 of the way through, but I loved The Time Traveler's Wife so much, that I kept reading this one...really liked it about 2/3 through, but again, not happy with the end result. Love Niffenegger's style of writing and will pick something up from her again. ...more

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Feb 16, 2010 Carly Svamvour rated it really liked it

Oct 26th, 2k11 - finished the audio portion of this book.

It was good, a fascinating thing to think about - but I've got to admit to being a bit vague on a lot of it. I think this is one I will listen to again, 'cause I didn't quite get it.

Ghosts messing around trying to be alive ... or is the alive messing around trying to become ghosts?

I thought Time Travelers Wife was good - this one topped it.

...more

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