Her Fearful Symmetry question

I thought this book started in such an interesting and forceful way but when the central events of the novel started taking place I let out an inward groan. The basic elements of the book simply did not come together and I totally agree that the latter half was either rushed or not fleshed out sufficiently. I had a very empty feeling after finishing and felt the characters acted in very unbelievable ways that made me feel detached from them. I then almost immediately forgot most of the book! I also liked TTTW much more-- I almost felt she was trying to capture the same exact 'magic' of that book. She should have ventured into completely new territory in my opinion.

I think the central theme in this novel is the selfish nature of humanity, although at times, "selfish" can be synonymous with "possessive" as far as this novel is concerned.

My biggest complaint was that the characters seemed to lack any redeeming qualities. Sure, Julia takes to assisting Martin, but her motive was to assuage the raw wound of her pride when Valentina began cavorting with Robert. Valentina's maniacal plan came so entirely out of left field for me, I was positive that Elspeth must have planted the idea as a means to her own end. Then there's Robert, who seemed to be likely to foil the plot, but hadn't the possession of self to stand up for what he felt was morally the high ground, because he was afraid of losing Elspeth, Valentina, or both of them.

The characters were manipulative and secretive, which plays into the selfish theme. The first generation kept a weighty secret for years out of the selfish intention to keep up appearances. Pride is another factor in that fiasco. The younger twins yearn for opposing things (an eternal twin bond versus freedom) so completely they are each consumed by their desire, blinding each girl to the plight of her sister. Robert begins the novel so completely absorbed in his desire to get Elspeth back, that the desire becomes obsession, which primes him for the conclusion.

So, while humanity definitely is inherently selfish, most people generally have redeeming qualities to counterbalance selfishness as the driving force of their lives.

The novel is a bit uncomfortable to read because we, as humans, recognize the selfishness, possessiveness, and pride that we also have inside us. We are horrified, however, that the characters have the ability to justify their actions based solely on base human instinct, almost to the point of stripping them of free will. In a sense, the characters had a fatalistic feel to them, for me.

I could be wrong, but that's how I interpreted the queasy feeling I had as I read this novel.

I'm not sure I felt uncomfortable as such but once that happened I could see what was coming next! I kind of wished I had been wrong as it was quite predictable from this point. I was hoping for her to surprise me & add a different twist.
I personally didn't like any of the characters at all. This was a surprise to me as I loved reading the time-traveller's wife. However, on re-reading TTTW I found I didn't like those characters so much either anymore! They all seemed quite selfish & petulant.
I agree with you about the ending, it was definitely rushed in comparision to the rest of the book. I got the feeling the author had had enough of the characters too & just wanted it finished...
I did really enjoy the descriptions of Highgate cemetery though.

This book SHOULD have been right up my alley--I love stories about twins and ghosts and Highgate cemetery, and I really enjoyed TTTW. The Blake poem used in the title is even one of my favorites! But I agree with you, Steph. The (view spoiler)[death of the kitten (hide spoiler)] was a cheap shot, and (view spoiler)[what the aunt got away with (hide spoiler)] just made me really angry.

I read this book a while ago, but I found it one of the stangest books I'd read in a long time. Did't like the characters at all and found the ending creepy and down-right sinster.

For me this book had a point, I am just not sure if I grasped it in it completely. I get that these people are selfish and irrational. I wonder if Elspeth planned the outcome beause she knew the strength required to make it happen. There are so many things, I wonder about with this book but I am not sure I wonder enough to read another one.

I wanted to like this book and I did to an extent. But the ending was somehow both bizarre and predictable. I kept thinking there'd be another twist, that it really was still Valentina pretending to be Elspeth to see if Robert really loved her. Alas, no.

The body-swap story has already been done better in Being John Malkovich. I liked Her Fearful Symmetry, but it left me feeling hollow and unfulfilled.

I definitely agree. As soon as Valentina's weird ghost plan comes out, I kind of had a feeling the book was going to go sour. I didn't think the ending would be as bad as it was though, and it was definitely bad. The beginning of the book was very promising, but it really went down hill fast after a certain point.

The side story of the neighbors, their breakup and reconciliation; was the only enjoyable part of this novel. The main characters were boring, I didn't like them and didn't really care what happened to them.

Actually, the book would have been ten times better if the author had just had one of the characters walking through Highgate Cemetery, describing the macabre surreality of it all.

I loved TTTW and was really looking forward to reading the follow up, but I agree with Ana that the author seemed to be trying to capture the magic of TTTW. If so, I think she failed. The characters are shallow and unreal, also the opportunity to feature the wonderful setting of Highgate Cemetary (where Audrey N is now an official guide!) in all its gothic glory, was wasted.