Niffenegger’s follow up novel is spooky and spectacular

 When your first novel is one of the most successful and beloved of the last decade, it takes some time to follow up with something adequate. For Audrey Niffenegger, author of “The Time Traveler’s Wife,” it took six years. Last September, the release of her second novel, “Her Fearful Symmetry,” debuted at #6 on the NY Times Best Seller list.
   In the book, Niffenegger stays true to her science-fiction roots, combining passion and paranormal activity to tell the tale of identical twins Valentina and Julia Poole. After they inherit an estate from their Aunt Elspeth, whom they never met, the twins leave their idle lives with their parents in Chicago for London. There, they commit to live in their deceased aunt’s flat, located outside of historic Highgate Cemetery. According to the conditions of the will, the twins must live there the year of their 21st birthday, and cannot sell the flat prior to the end of the year. The other stipulation is that the twin’s parents are not allowed to step foot into the flat.
   As is true in “The Time Traveler’s Wife,” the plot of “Her Fearful Symmetry” is pushed forward by the deeply developed, rich characters created by Niffenegger. Technically the twins are “mirror-image twins,” in that their bodies are opposites — all of Valentina’s organs are on the opposite side of her body. Niffenegger writes, “They were essentially one creature, whole but containing contradictions.” These contradictions continued into their personalities. Julia is the loud, overbearing twin. She sees herself as wholly responsible for protecting Valentina, who is referred to as “Mouse,” and keeping her safe. Valentina’s nickname describes her perfectly — timid and meek, showing her true colors only around those she is close to.
   Upstairs neighbor Martin doesn’t lend much to the story at hand. However, the chapters on this obsessive-compulsive crossword puzzle writer are poignant. Martin washes his floor so ferociously he literally scrubs a hole through the ceiling downstairs. Newspapers cover windows. Boxes fill the halls. Martin hasn’t left their flat in over a year. Fed up with his lifestyle, his wife runs off to Amsterdam, knowing Martin won’t leave the house to come find her. His heartbreaking story continues, as he waits for his love to return, while desperately trying to overcome his disease so he can go find her.
   Her soul trapped in her own flat, Elspeth is able to watch and get to know the nieces she never met. Although she begins as a simple, misty form, she grows into a ghost strong enough to begin communicating with the girls. She sees Valentina quickly becoming fed up with Julia’s controlling ways. The ghost helps her hatch a deadly plan, which would enable Valentina to be free from her twin forever.
   Other than supernatural events, readers should keep in mind this is not a follow-up to “The Time Traveler’s Wife.” However, fans of Niffenegger should rejoice. Although taking a bizarre — and distracting — turn three-quarters through, this story of personal identity, love and loss is a literary work that stands on its own.