Her Fearful Symmetry Audiobook By Audrey Niffenegger cover art

Her Fearful Symmetry

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When Elspeth Noblin dies she leaves her beautiful flat overlooking Highgate Cemetery to her twin nieces, Julia and Valentina Poole, on the condition that their mother is never allowed to cross the threshold. But until the solicitor's letter falls through the door of their suburban American home, either Julia nor Valentina knew their aunt existed. The twins hope that in London their own, separate, lives can finally begin but they have no idea that they've been summoned into a tangle of fraying lives, from the obsessive-compulsive crossword setter who lives above them to their aunt's mysterious and elusive lover who lives below them and works in the cemetery itself.

As the twins unravel the secrets of their aunt, who doesn't seem quite ready to leave her flat, even after death, Niffenegger weaves together a delicious and deadly ghost story about love, loss and identity.

 Family Life Women's Fiction Ghosts Genre Fiction Horror

Critic reviews

Dark and delicious (Tom Adair)
What is really satisfying about this novel, like The Time Traveler's Wife, is its depiction of relationships: the process of grief, the transforming power of love
An original, outrageous, and thoroughly enjoyable ghost story
There may be ghosts, but it's the human stories that glitter
A rich, involving novel
A ghostly love story and a lovely ghost story
The novel's representation of London rings completely true... The universe of Her Fearful Symmetry is solid and familiar... (John O'Connell)
It's been worth the wait... Niffenegger's books are fabulously left field, striking an unlikely balance between romance and fantasy. A brilliantly beautiful book
Chillingly good (Eithne Farry)
A one-off pleasure (Fanny Blake)
All stars
Most relevant

What disappointed you about Her Fearful Symmetry?

I was left wondering what happened and did not believe the ending. Maybe it was because this was the abridged version.

What was most disappointing about Audrey Niffenegger’s story?

The ending.

Have you listened to any of Sian Thomas’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No but Sian was spectacular! I would happily buy a book just to hear her again.

What character would you cut from Her Fearful Symmetry?

I'm not sure, it was not the characters that were disappointing.

Any additional comments?

I loved the time travelers' wife. It is one of my all time favourite books and I have listened to it about 30 times. I was so looking forward to another of Audrey's books and this one, although quirky (but that is Audrey's style), was going well until that ending.
I will now wait till Audrey's next book to see if I remain a fan of hers. Thanks for the opportunity to rate books.

Worst ending ever!

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If you could sum up Her Fearful Symmetry in three words, what would they be?

A lovely yarn

Which scene was your favorite?

Julia's final scene but I don't want to drop a spoiler

Any additional comments?

Once crucial aspect of the story irritated because of the real world logistical problems but the after life that Audrey Niffenegger created was whimsical and lovely. I loved the characters.

Loved the Narrator, a perfect choice

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What disappointed you about Her Fearful Symmetry?

This has to be one of the most silliest and futile works I have come across. After 2 hours I was getting fed up but persisted to listen as I thought this should hopefully better. After 4 hours in just couldn't anymore!

What do you think your next listen will be?

Nothing written by Audrey Niffenegger

Which scene was your favorite?

none

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

disappointment

Any additional comments?

The narrator is excellent! Very talented

Very disappointing, wasted my credit

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