This may be one of the hardest books to explain. There were a set of twins living in England who were inseparable, Edie and Elspeth. There is a terrible secret that separated Edie and Elspeth, they haven't spoken in 20 years. Edie moved to America with her husband Jack, and had twin girls, Julia and Valentina. Elspeth stayed in England and eventually met Robert, though they lived in separate flats and never married.

Elspeth is sick with cancer and dies at the beginning of the book. She leaves her flat and estate to her nieces, Julia and Valentina, stipulating that they had to live in the flat for a year before they can sell it and that their parents are never allowed to enter the flat.

The twins go to England, live in the flat and meet their new unusual neighbors. Robert lives downstairs and Martin, who suffers from obsessive compulsion lives upstairs, and that maybe their aunt hasn't really left the flat at all.

This book is for anyone who enjoys a novel with supernatural elements. There is some romance, but nothing extreme. There is quite a bit of history about England, London and Highgate Cemetery. This book is sort of whimsical and sad, so if you are in that sort of mood, this will be for you.

The writing style was exceptionally refreshing, almost poetic. The plot is extremely interesting and unnerving.

I did not like the ending of the novel, I was disappointed with how the plot unfolded. I also found some of the character's actions lacking proper motivation and so felt a bit forced.

Interested in buying this? Support Writing.Com by making your purchase of Her Fearful Symmetry: A Novel   from Amazon.Com!

Created Mar 11, 2011 at 10:21pm • Submit your own review...