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3.19 AVERAGE
3.19 AVERAGE
I was pretty torn about this book. On one hand, I loved her last book and I still love the way that she writes. On the other hand, I didn't like where this book led and I really didn't like the end. It's different from "The time traveler's wife;" where that book was an epic love story, this one is much more a meditation on the nature of death and the loneliness that follows it for the survivors. If you like her last book than I'd certainly say you should read this one, but don't expect it to be "The time traveler's wife II."
I loved [b:The Time Traveler's Wife|14050|The Time Traveler's Wife|Audrey Niffenegger|http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31DB3K45TXL._SL75_.jpg|2153746] and picked up Niffenegger's new book on the strength of her first, without having read any plot summaries in advance. It turns out the story is about a set of twins who inherit an apartment in London from their late aunt - their mother's estranged twin - on several conditions, including that they move from the Chicago suburbs to London to live in the flat for at least one year before selling it, and that their parents are not allowed to set foot in the apartment. It seems Aunt Elspeth and Mom had some big secrets, and after all these years Elspeth is still trying to hurt her sister.
A problem, though: The biggest of the big secrets is so obvious to the reader, so early on, that I actually thought the surprise was going to be that I was misreading it and that the plot wasn't ever going to go in that direction. It did. By the time that secret was revealed, I mostly felt disappointed.
The story is also a ghost story, though, and somewhere in the last section it takes a turn for the really weird - I definitely did NOT anticipate the places the present-day story about the young twins would go. So Niffenegger still has plenty of surprises up her sleeve, don't worry.
I had a very hard time putting this book down - it's like candy to read - and I'll probably want to re-read it eventually, but I don't think it's quite as strong or clever as The Time Traveler's Wife. It's hard to write a twin story that isn't a little bit cliched, I guess; plus the characters don't feel completely fleshed-out, and none of them is really completely likable or sympathetic. If you liked The Time Traveler's Wife you'll definitely want to read this one too, but I do think Niffenegger's first work is the stronger of the two. Start there first if you haven't read either of her novels.
A problem, though: The biggest of the big secrets is so obvious to the reader, so early on, that I actually thought the surprise was going to be that I was misreading it and that the plot wasn't ever going to go in that direction. It did. By the time that secret was revealed, I mostly felt disappointed.
The story is also a ghost story, though, and somewhere in the last section it takes a turn for the really weird - I definitely did NOT anticipate the places the present-day story about the young twins would go. So Niffenegger still has plenty of surprises up her sleeve, don't worry.
I had a very hard time putting this book down - it's like candy to read - and I'll probably want to re-read it eventually, but I don't think it's quite as strong or clever as The Time Traveler's Wife. It's hard to write a twin story that isn't a little bit cliched, I guess; plus the characters don't feel completely fleshed-out, and none of them is really completely likable or sympathetic. If you liked The Time Traveler's Wife you'll definitely want to read this one too, but I do think Niffenegger's first work is the stronger of the two. Start there first if you haven't read either of her novels.
Great book! I knew twins who were crazy close, so it was believable for me
dark
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
As many reviewers have already stated, I loved Time Traveler's Wife. I didn't know what to expect from this novel, but I figured I would check out another Niffenegger. She can make a decent story.
Or maybe not.
It had a really interesting idea with the twins (the two main characters, Valentina and Julia) being literally mirror images of each other and the ghost of Elspeth, giving an eerie quality. I liked Robert in the beginning.
Then it got weird. A minute after Valentina made her choice, I knew what was going to happen.
Obviously, I think the author was pushed for another book too soon.
I still think Niffenegger can write a story, but this just wasn't it. A lot of really great ideas that just didn't come together in the right way.
Or maybe not.
It had a really interesting idea with the twins (the two main characters, Valentina and Julia) being literally mirror images of each other and the ghost of Elspeth, giving an eerie quality. I liked Robert in the beginning.
Then it got weird. A minute after Valentina made her choice, I knew what was going to happen.
Obviously, I think the author was pushed for another book too soon.
I still think Niffenegger can write a story, but this just wasn't it. A lot of really great ideas that just didn't come together in the right way.
Like many others I was a big fan of this authors previous book the time travellers wife which was a phenomenal success! I thought I was going to feel the same way about this book and don't get me wrong, I loved it but something went wrong with the ending. Other than that, its another example of her brilliant writing and storytelling and I recommend it!
emotional
mysterious
sad
I very much enjoyed this one... right up until the end.
The prospect that people are still ghosts hanging around was cool, and the whole theory of jumping into an unoccupied body interesting.
However, I couldn't sympathize with Elspeth and her jumping into Valentina's body...
I know Valentina wanted to be free, and she got it, but I still wanted justice for her death.
It felt like things wrapped up too neatly, but then again, not satisfyingly.
The prospect that people are still ghosts hanging around was cool, and the whole theory of jumping into an unoccupied body interesting.
However, I couldn't sympathize with Elspeth and her jumping into Valentina's body...
I know Valentina wanted to be free, and she got it, but I still wanted justice for her death.
It felt like things wrapped up too neatly, but then again, not satisfyingly.
I liked the writing style, the pacing, the setting, the plot but not the characters. They are so self absorbed and twee. I kindof liked the guy upstairs but the only character I had any sympathy for was The Little Kitten of Death. I would still read other stuff by her, she is a good writer.
I couldn't stop thinking about this book after reading it. I LOVED it! Couldn't put it down and the end creeped me out a bit.