Patricia O’Donnell’s A Symmetry of Husbands Explores Love, Loss, and Betrayal with Stark Honesty
Patricia O’Donnell delivers an unflinching exploration of the raw edges of human relationships in A Symmetry of Husbands. With sparse, poetic prose and a fearless commitment to honesty, O’Donnell navigates the contradictions of grief, desire, guilt, and memory. Her latest novel lays bare the complex intersections of love, infidelity, and enduring friendship, crafting a narrative that is as haunting as it is beautiful.
Amy Neswald, author of I Know You Love Me, Too (New American Press), praises O’Donnell’s work:
"Patricia O’Donnell writes unfailingly about the rawness of human relationships with this investigation of contradiction, grief, hope, and memory. With her sparse prose, stark honesty, and grit, O’Donnell lays bare the complexities of love, infidelity, and friendship. A Symmetry of Husbands is a poetic unfolding of love in all its expressions."
A Story of Love and Loss Against a Political Backdrop
Set in the early days of the Trump presidency, A Symmetry of Husbands follows Abigail as she navigates the aftermath of her best friend Megan’s death. Abigail’s grief is compounded by her lingering desire for Megan’s husband, with whom she had an affair, and her growing guilt over the betrayal. As the weight of memory and remorse presses down, Abigail begins to question the circumstances surrounding Megan’s death—and whether she may bear some responsibility.
This gripping novel probes the emotional intricacies of marriage and friendship, revealing how love can both heal and destroy.
About the Author
Patricia O’Donnell resides in the small town of Wilton, Maine, with close ties to Boston’s North Shore, where the novel is set. She is Professor Emerita of Creative Writing at the University of Maine at Farmington. O’Donnell’s body of work includes a prize-winning collection of short fiction, a memoir, and two previous novels, establishing her as a master storyteller with a keen eye for the human condition.
About Unsolicited Press
Unsolicited Press is a Portland, Oregon-based small publisher dedicated to producing exceptional works of fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. As a womxn-owned, all-volunteer press, it prioritizes the voices of the unsung and underrepresented, collaborating with both emerging and award-winning authors. Discover more at unsolicitedpress.com, and follow on Twitter and Instagram @unsolicitedp.
Availability
A Symmetry of Husbands will be released on November 7, 2023, in paperback (306 pages; $18.95; ISBN: 978-1-956692-83-9) and as an e-book available through major retailers. Retailers, schools, and libraries can order copies via Ingram.