After Elspeth Noblin dies, she finds herself a ghost witnessing
the toll her death is taking on boyfriend Robert Fanshaw, whose
grief is shattering and all-consuming. Before her passing, Elspeth
asked him to help with the execution of her will, which included
removing all papers and diaries from her apartment. The London
flat, which resides right above Robert’s, has recently been
left to Elspeth’s nieces, twins Julia and Valentina.

Meanwhile, in Michigan, Edie, Elspeth’s twin, learns of
her sister’s death and is not entirely sure how to act. Her
husband feels he cannot help, and her twin daughters, who were left
everything by Elspeth, are excited about their new life in London.
But despite her children’s happiness, there is a secret
looming over Edie, a secret so powerful that it kept the sisters
apart for years. Scared that it all may be revealed, Edie becomes
more withdrawn and fearful.

Julia and Valentina arrive in London, and Robert, who promised
Elspeth before her death that he would look after them, goes into
hiding, avoiding all contact with the twins. And although he begins
to follow them around the city, he fails to find the courage to
introduce himself or to answer his door when they attempt to
contact him. Valentina starts to regret the move and also becomes
aware of a strange coldness in the flat, which she believes to be
Elspeth. But Valentina is unable to persuade Julia that their
dear-departed aunt is now a ghost living in their apartment.

One afternoon, the twins decide to take a tour of Highgate
Cemetery, which is located right next to their flat, and meet
Robert --- who turns out to be the cemetery guide --- for the first
time. Unable to avoid contact any longer, Robert finds the courage
to speak and offers to show them around. This excites Julia, who
has been wanting a local experience, but frightens Valentina, who
secretly wishes for home and a break from her sister. However, the
meeting is fortuitous for Robert and Valentina, who seem to find a
kindred spirit in each other.

Looming over all of these characters is Elspeth and the secret
she harbored with Edie. She observes the girls and finally grows
strong enough to reveal herself. Her sudden reappearance causes
much strain for many of the characters, and soon it's not just the
secret that becomes problematic.

HER FEARFUL SYMMETRY is full of interesting characters who all
seem to be waiting for something in their lives --- a love to
return, a secret to be revealed, or a love to be found. Martin, the
twins’ upstairs neighbor, waits in vain for his wife Marijke
to return, Robert desperately wants Elspeth back, Julia never wants
to be apart from Valentina, and Valentina wants nothing more than
to have a life of her own. And hovering over everyone is death and
disappearance, symbolized by the ghost of Elspeth. While the ghost
fades into their lives, they all end up fading out of their own in
a strange way.

When the deep, dark secret is revealed, it is sad, deceptive,
and has the power to ruin the lives of everyone if discovered.
Without giving too much away, I will say that I didn't feel
completely surprised --- all of the twins in this book are
perplexing --- and while the secret itself is unexpected, I could
easily see how the two individuals involved could have pulled the
deception off. Regardless, in the end, you will feel sad for all
the characters, even the ones who manage to find themselves again.
But you may not get over the poignant final act that brings
everything full circle.

HER FEARFUL SYMMETRY was eagerly awaited by fans of THE TIME
TRAVELER’S WIFE, Audrey Niffenegger’s bestselling debut
novel. Although I didn't fall in love with these characters the way
I did with Henry and Clare in her earlier work, I have to say that
it was well worth the wait. This book is one great read.