ASYMMETRY by Lisa Halliday (fiction)

I enjoyed this first novel by a new writer.  It is intelligently written, and as its title infers, it involves two disparate stories leading the reader to ponder on their connection.  The first section takes place in Manhattan just as American is becoming involved in the Iraq War, and is reflective of Halliday’s own life experiences, though the author denies it is anything more than fiction.  An aspiring writer meets  a famous and respected older author, falls under his spell and begins an affair with him.  The older author resembles Philip Roth with whom Halliday was at one time involved.  Alongside this is the story of an Iraqi-American man who is detained at Heathrow Airport in London while on his way to see his brother. The contrast of two different cultures and the experiences of the two main characters form the central issues of the novel.  Both stories illustrate unequal powers between men and women, war and its victims. The clever way the stories connect is brilliant and thought provoking. I highly recommend this novel for its originality, outstanding writing and thoughtful issues. It would make a good choice for a reading group.