A Fearful Symmetry

by James Luceno

At a time of global tension, the president of the United States, grieving over the death of his wife, becomes involved with a Brazilian cult leader and healer. (A Phillip K. Dick Aware nominee.)

Genres: Science Fiction, Fiction

265 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published November 13, 1989

About the author

James Luceno is a New York Times bestselling author, best known for his novels and reference books connected with the Star Wars franchise and the Star Wars Expanded Universe, and novelisations of the Robotech animated television series. He lives in Annapolis, Maryland with his wife and youngest child.

He has co-written many books with Brian Daley as Jack McKinney.

Reviews

[Jolyon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Almost through - so far, like his other earlier books, this one is completely before its time. A lot of tongue-in-cheek character and organization names and plenty of international intrigue, using many phrases and military codewords that would have baffled me ten years ago, let alone 20 years ago, when this novel was written.

What a find from a day visit to Roswell in a 2nd street alien/sci-fi shop!

UPDATE

Finally finished the book, I think just over a year ago, just before another winter out west in New Mexico. Over that period, I had time to reflect on the novel itself. In the end I felt it could have been twice as long with more characters and a side of cyber and been much better - Jim is a quality writer, knows his tech and military slang and jargon, but doesn't do so well with a grand, mystical, philosophical climax with only 50k words and cryptic plot preamble. Even though the novel conveyed of a time period round about 2012, the author never would pin down the year of this quasi-futuristic novel penned in 1990. Also, oddly, there was no mention of any internet or advanced communication system that would have made the circumstances that much more plausible and this a timeless novel. Alas, it fails now as any sort contemporary fiction, thus - out of print!

Since Jim was a co-writer of the original Robotech novelization from the 80's, I had to pick this one up for grins, and it satisfied my nostalgia quite nicely.

3 stars for quality writing, but poor authentic plotting and vision.

[Daniel Williams · Rating 2 out of 5]

I picked a James Luceno book because I was impressed with most (all but one) of his Star Wars books. But this one was a disappointment. Maybe because it was only his third book overall and he had not hit his stride yet? I could not emphasize with any of the major characters. The plot was worse: to me it seems he has three major ideas: alien abduction, effect of shamanism, Red Hand, that each alone if expanded could have been a book. Here each is touched quickly, causing confusion, and never thoroughly nor convincingly linked. That confusion was made worse by a difficult and dense style. And what is with the preaching in Ch 29?

[Don Kyo · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm a big fan of Luceno's Star Wars works. I firmly believe he is the best author for that universe. So, I thought I would try some of his original works, starting with A Fearful Symmetry.

And ultimately, it was just okay. There is a lot I like about this book, but there is also a lot of missteps. The world building was impressive, as is the usual for Luceno, but in a world of his own design, it is incredible. The story is pretty lackluster, sadly. There is not really a focus character, just like 3-4 protagonists that, individually, never get a chance to be fleshed out. They all had the potential to carry the story, but all at once, they serve as only vehicles.

It's a love-hate vibe from this book. If you like Darth Plagius and Catalyst, this will probably be a good read for you. As a casual sci-fi reader, you can skip.