Asymmetry

📖 By Lisa Halliday | Published: 2018

"Asymmetry" is a brilliantly structured debut novel by Lisa Halliday, exploring themes of power, privilege, love, identity, and geopolitical conflict. Divided into three distinct yet subtly interconnected sections, the novel examines the complexities of human relationships and the vast imbalances—whether personal, political, or artistic—that shape them.

📖 Structure & Plot Overview:

1️⃣ "Folly" – A young aspiring writer, Alice, becomes romantically involved with Ezra Blazer, a much older and world-famous author. Their relationship is marked by an imbalance of power, experience, and influence, highlighting themes of mentorship, agency, and privilege in the literary world.

2️⃣ "Madness" – A stark shift in perspective introduces Amar, an Iraqi-American economist detained at Heathrow Airport. As he reflects on his past, family, and struggles with identity, this section grapples with the effects of war, displacement, and the immigrant experience.

3️⃣ "Ezra Blazer’s Desert Island Discs" – A brief, witty coda featuring an aging Ezra giving a radio interview, offering insight into fame, legacy, and moral responsibility.

🔎 Key Themes & Elements:

✔ Power & Privilege – Whether in relationships, politics, or literature, the novel examines who holds power and why.
✔ Asymmetry in Human Experiences – Contrasts between East vs. West, youth vs. age, freedom vs. restriction are central to the novel’s structure.
✔ Identity & Belonging – Amar’s story raises profound questions about cultural displacement and political injustice.
✔ The Art of Storytelling – Halliday plays with narrative structure and perspective, leaving the reader to connect the novel’s seemingly disparate threads.

📌 Why Read It?

Asymmetry is a literary masterpiece that challenges readers with its unconventional structure and thought-provoking themes. If you enjoy intelligent, layered storytelling that explores love, politics, and the human condition, this novel is a must-read. It’s a book that lingers in your mind, inviting you to unravel its hidden connections long after turning the last page. 📖✨