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I am on the verge... of a nervous breakdown... or greatness... it depends on the day.

Her Fearful Symmetry


I just finished an advance reading copy of Her Fearful Symmetry by Audrey Niffenegger. I should begin by saying that The Time Traveler's Wife is my favorite book. I have loaned it... and lost it... many times. It's one of those books that begs to passed on and lost track of. I like to think that my very first copy is sitting somewhere on a bedside table with stained pages, turned down corners, and tiny notes scrawled in the margins. Well read, well enjoyed, and ready to continue its journey.

I have been savoring Her Fearful Symmetry for several days. The story is full of family, friendship, love, and dysfunction. Elspeth Noblin has died, but her spirit lives on in her flat. Despite being quite dead, Elspeth manages to influence the lives of her nieces and her lover in ways that are not always entirely favorable.

I hesitate to explain, because I don't want to take away one moment of a potential readers' uncertainty, discomfort, hesitation, curiosity, and ultimately complete and utter enjoyment of the ride. I couldn't stop reading, yet I wanted it to last. I hope it has the same effect on you.

In fact, I'm planning to loan this book to one of my close friends. I expect that, after she reads it, she'll ask if I mind if she passes it on to someone else who is curious about it. I will probably never see my copy again... I can only hope that Elspeth's ghost continues to entrance all who read it, and that I somehow win another copy. Oh, and if I do happen to obtain a signed copy by some fearful twist of fate, it will not meet a similar end. Despite the loss of symmetry, that one will stay by my bed - well read, enjoyed thoroughly, with tiny notes in the margins - a sign of a truly beloved book.

For more on Her Fearful Symmetry, watch for my entry in the audioforbooks.com blog of new releases this week.

My Vision for the FWJ Logo



Where Were You on 9/11/01?

I was at home with my 4 year old son watching PBS. The plumber came to the door to work on our bathroom and asked if I had seen the news - something was going on. I turned the TV to NBC.

What we witnessed, my little boy, the plumber, and I, looked more like a scene from a disaster movie than reality. I suppose it was that my mind was unable to process that this was happening. Here. In the USA. The safest country in the world.

I did my best to control my fear, anxiety, and horror. 4 year olds can pick up on so much. I couldn't keep the tears at bay. The plumber stood in shock next to my chair.

By the time the second tower fell, I was on the phone with the school. My other two children were there. My instinct was fear for their safety. I was assured that security was tight and the kids were safe. I resisted the urge to pick them up. We don't live near a major city. They would be as safe at school as at home... but I waited anxiously all day to see them.

I tried to explain to them, at ages 7 and 9, what had happened because I knew that they would hear about it at school. The teachers had managed to keep the news from them so that families could discuss it first. It's tough to be reassuring when you don't feel secure.

So today we mourn... whether we witnessed it live or on television... whether we knew someone who was lost or not... we all mourn for the dead... and for our innocent belief that we are safe.