In 'Asymmetry', a provocative and ingeniously structured debut novel by Lisa Halliday, the story unfolds in three distinct sections, each examining imbalances in human relationships - whether through disparities in age, power, talent, or wealth. The novel begins with 'Folly', detailing the unexpected romance between young American editor Alice and the famous, aging writer Ezra Blazer. Set against the backdrop of the early Iraq War in New York City, their alliance provides a vivid exploration of an artist's formation. In 'Madness', Amar, an Iraqi-American detained in Heathrow on his way to Kurdistan confronts the contrasts of his dual identities through introspection and recollection. As the two narratives converge, 'Asymmetry' emerges as a trenchant commentary on the inequities of life and the intricate dance between life and art. Halliday delivers an exceptional work, a tribute to literature's power to transcend and transform.