Asymmetry
Ratings11
Average rating3.6
15
Ratings11
Average rating3.6
Explores the imbalances that spark and sustain dramatic human relations, tracing the overlapping stories of a young American editor's relationship with a famous older writer, an unexpected New York romance during the early years of the Iraq War and an Iraqi-American man who is detained by immigration officers in Heathrow.
Reviews with the most likes.
DNF, p.139 (almost halfway).
Asymmetry (the concept) fascinates me: so much of our world is defined by imbalances in power, desire, ability, and most especially information. Every day, and I really mean every day, I spend time observing and analyzing aspects of my life in terms of asymmetries.
Asymmetry (this book) explores the asymmetry of sex between a mid-seventies man and a mid-twenties woman, neither of them in any way interesting or with any spark of soul. No connection between them.
I actually found myself reading beyond page 50 out of curiosity: contemplating my asymmetry of interest. Wondering if there was something for me to learn. I sought counsel today from two wise friends who had finished the book some years ago. I am heeding their advice.
Got 14% into this, and don't quite feel in the mood for this May-December romance. I already had a share of naive-girl-with-older-men by reading [b:The Lesser Bohemians 28363987 The Lesser Bohemians Eimear McBride https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1469511945l/28363987.SY75.jpg 48208213] and [b:Conversations with Friends 32187419 Conversations with Friends Sally Rooney https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1500031338l/32187419.SY75.jpg 52827120]. This one squeaks me out a bit more, considering she's in her early/mid twenties, while he is in his 60ies/70ies?
DNF - couldn't really get into it. I got lost right from the beginning and Alice's relationship with Ezra although intriguing as it was didn't really bring me much appreciation for them or continuing with the book.
I had high hopes for this book, as many reviewed it to be weird and strange and that is just what I like. However, I didn't find it to be that strange at all. It was broken into seemingly unrelated parts, was fairly lofty, and moved much too slowly, but otherwise was not much different to any other novel. The subject matter didn't interest me all that much, which made it a long read, but I will say the writing was excellent. There were many quotable, shining moments. If Lisa Halliday wrote another book on a topic I was more interested in I would definitely read it.
