Wednesday, September 16, 2009

her fearful symmetry

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Many of you will remember how much I adore The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger - absolutely one of my favorites. I was lucky enough to get the chance to read Audrey’s next book, Her Fearful Symmetry (available September 29th). The book arrived and I finished it within a few days (couldn’t put it down!) but have been struggling to write a good blurb for you. One that expresses how much I liked the book - but in such a different way than Time Traveler's Wife. I’ve read a few other reviews and I’m worried they give away too much, so I’m going to try and keep this vague in the story sense. I want you to read this book like I did, completely not expecting what’s before you.
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The Time Traveler’s Wife was a story about the line between now and then - crossing the line of time, between past, present and future. Her Fearful Symmetry is a story about the line between life and death - crossing the line of life, between here and gone.
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The first chapter made me cry. A lot. Enough that I considered maybe this was not a book for me. It hit some chords that I didn’t expect - this look at death that I wasn’t sure what to do with. But I kept reading and was quickly taken.
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The story is set in London (hello?! brownie points for my favorite city) and follows a little apartment building full of fascinating characters, namely a pair of eerie twin sisters as they discover the city, the cemetery next door and their neighbors. I adored the way the history of the cemetery and that area of London was woven into the story.
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In my opinion, the most intriguing aspect of Time Traveler’s Wife was the author’s ability to make something unbelievable completely…believable. She does this again in Her Fearful Symmetry in a very different but absolutely beautiful way. I’m still struggling to describe this book in the way it deserves.
The bottom line is that I loved it. And you should read it.
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She said, ‘I know what it’s like to be dead.
I know what it is to be sad.’
And she’s making me feel like I’ve never been born.
-The Beatles
(a quote featured at the beginning of the book that could not be more perfect)
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Photos from Vogue 2004 photographed by Arthur Elgort via Dustjacket Attic

18 comments:

debra@dustjacket said...

I loved you review, I want to read the book now. Thanks for posting it. I just adore what you have done with the photo's, tying it perfectly with the post.

xoxo

Sara said...

Everyone keeps talking about how great of a book it is..I think I should read it. Really.

Haute World said...

I'll definitely have to pick this up. The Time Travelers Wife was fascinating to read, though I also know many who didn't really enjoy it. Have you seen the movie? I'm wondering if it lives up to the book...

Mireya said...

Thank you for sharing the review; it looked good, but now I'm really interested!

Kitty Stampede said...

Wow...I love those lyrics and that totally sold me on reading the book..that and your review. I love books that bring emotion right out of me in odd ways. I love when I cry reading a book. ing

Anonymous said...

god i want those headpieces!

Gabby said...

I also loved The Time Travelers Wife, and now I'm so intrigued! I will be sure to get it!

Anonymous said...

Ohhhh...now I wanna read it!

drollgirl said...

oh you KNOW i have to read this now!!!

Felicia said...

I read a preview of it online and I found it really confusing. That's how I felt about Time Traveler's Wife too though and I did end up liking it. I am interested in checking it out!

one little simitopian said...

I'm intrigued! I've heard of the book, but hadn't read any reviews or anything to give me a clue what it was all about. It sounds like something i could get my teeth into!
haha, my verification code is "unommy". Blogger is flirting with me.

Aline said...

I really can't wait for it! Thanks for this review...I was planning on getting it, but now am really excited!

tiffany said...

I absolutely loved "Time Traveler's Wife" and just read that she has this new book out. I cannot wait to read it!

Jessie said...

Oh my goodness, I am SO excited to read this now... adding it to the top of my list!

Amanda said...

Thanks for taking the time to review Her Fearful Symmetry. For more information on the book and its release, please check out the Facebook page:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Her-Fearful-Symmetry/68080996784

Amanda
hfs@regal-literary.com

Renee said...

I've been anticipating this book forever! Can't wait to get a hold of my copy!

Unknown said...

My name is Matt from Regal Literary, Audrey's literary agency.

Readers of this blog might be interested in knowing that Regal is giving away ten advanced reader’s copies and three first edition hardcovers of the new Audrey Niffenegger book, Her Fearful Symmetry, on October 1st in a lottery to anyone who joins the facebook page as a fan (see the link in Amanda's post above) and sends an e-mail to hfs@regal-literary.com. Good luck!

Courtney said...

Can't wait to read this! :)