I enjoyed The Time Traveler's Wife, but didn't love it as so many did. I read it right after it was published in 2004, but my ultimate reaction was disappointment. Somehow it just didn't pull things together in a way that satisfied me.
Her Fearful Symmetry evoked the same feelings. I was thoroughly enjoying the novel, and then a turn of events...and I was no longer enjoying it. What was coming was no longer unpredictable. Then the odd attempt to present another face on the events at the end...
Another one for Carl's Once Upon a Time Challenge.
Fiction. Fantasy/Supernatural. 2009. 416 pages.
I've just started this - and like you, I didn't love The Time Traveller's Wife. I'm only on page 56, but I like it so far...have to keep my fingers crossed!
ReplyDeleteI loved Time Traveler's Wife. Consider it one of the best reading experiences I've ever had. I did not have that reaction to this one. While I still believe Niffenegger is a skilled author, I hated all but a couple of the characters by the end of the story and it is not one I would ever care to read again. I'm glad I was able to borrow and ARC and didn't spend any money on it.
ReplyDeleteGeranium Cat - Hope you find it a better read than I did! I really was enjoying it until the turn of events that spoiled it for me.
ReplyDeleteCarl - Mine was a library copy, but I'm glad I didn't spend any money on it myself!
I haven't read either book by the author yet, but The Time Traveler's Wife comes highly recommended. I just haven't been able to motivate myself to read it. I do want to read this one though. It seems more up my alley. I'm sorry it didn't work for you in the end. This one does seem to have garnered its share of mixed reviews.
ReplyDeleteI was really hoping I'd like it, and for a while, I did. Oh, well.
ReplyDeleteHope you enjoy it, Wendy!
Well, I've just finished it, and I did enjoy it all the way to the end - I agree that it becomes predictable and rather uncomfortable, but I felt that it resolved well. I might even go back and give The Time Travelers Wife another go.
ReplyDelete:) Timing is often the key to enjoying (or not) a book. Glad you liked it, even if I didn't!
ReplyDeleteI haven't read this one. I did read TTTW, and though I enjoyed it, didn't feel the pull either to re-read (my touchstone) or to read the next one. Although I came across a very surreal and rather splendid graphic novel she'd written, a while back - 'The Adventuress'. I liked that.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed The Time Traveler's Wife, but when I began reading Her Fearful Symmetry, my brain screamed "Unrealistic!" And, that was just the prologue. I couldn't get past that overly-romanticized death at the beginning. I still plan to give it a second attempt, though. My mother's death was just too fresh in my mind, I guess.
ReplyDeleteKatherine - I didn't know she did graphic novels; I'll keep that in mind. This is probably my last regular novel by Niffenegger, though.
ReplyDeleteBookfool - It is interesting how some authors can take a completely unrealistic situation and draw you in, while others have you busy with so many critical remarks that you never enter the world they created.
Well, this looks like fairly conclusive evidence that Niffenegger is not for you! :p I like the originality of her premises and the matter-of-fact way she approaches them, but I can easily see how they would not be for everyone.
ReplyDeleteI think you're right, Jenny. I liked the premise for each of the novels, but couldn't "suspend [my] disbelief" sufficiently. Not that she needs my approbation with all of her fans!
ReplyDelete