The Other Side of Now Summary, Characters and Themes
The Other Side of Now by Paige Harbison is a thought-provoking novel that delves into the complexities of identity, loss, and the choices we make in life. It follows the journey of Lana Lord, an actress caught in the whirlwind of Hollywood, who finds herself mysteriously transported to Avalon, Ireland.
In this strange new world, Lana grapples with the realization that her life might have unfolded differently. The story weaves a tale of self-discovery as Lana—or Meg, as she is known in Avalon—struggles to reconcile her two realities, questioning the nature of memory, love, and the paths not taken. It’s a story about reconnecting with lost pieces of oneself and confronting the choices that shape our lives.
Summary
The story begins with a nostalgic reflection from the protagonist, a 15-year-old girl who spends the last moments of summer with her best friend, Aimee, at a local carnival. The two girls, once inseparable, begin to drift apart as Aimee grows closer to her boyfriend, Theo.
During their visit to a fortune teller, the narrator is told she will live two lives and will face a choice between them in the future, leaving her uneasy and reflective about the future.
Fast forward to the present, the narrator, now an actress named Lana Lord, is working on a soap opera called Brilliance, a high-drama series. Her career is in turmoil after a negative review from The New Yorker, and the pressure from her director to lose more weight leaves her feeling exhausted.
Despite the praise for her acting, Lana is unhappy with her life. Her personal relationships have deteriorated, particularly with Aimee, and she feels disconnected from her former best friend.
After a stressful day on set, Lana decides to escape her hectic life by booking a spontaneous trip to Avalon, Ireland.
In Avalon, Lana settles into a quaint cottage, Surrey House, and immediately feels a sense of déjà vu, as if she has been there before. She starts to feel increasingly uneasy as she encounters a dog named Maureen, which seems familiar to her, and meets locals who recognize her as Meg Bryan, not Lana Lord.
This strange discrepancy throws her into confusion, and she begins to wonder if she has slipped into an alternate reality where she is no longer famous.
As Lana delves deeper into the mystery, she discovers a phone with her name on it and pictures that don’t align with the life she remembers. She finds a video of herself with Aimee, who has been dead for over a decade in her original reality, which adds to her anxiety.
The more Lana explores, the more evidence she uncovers that her world is different. She starts to question her own identity and what is real.
Lana’s confusion grows when she meets Cillian, a bartender in Avalon, who refers to her as Meg, and the locals continue to call her by this name. She feels disconnected from the life she thought she knew, as if she is living in a parallel world where everything is familiar but altered.
Despite trying to make sense of it all, Lana struggles to find answers.
Through conversations with the people around her, including her friend Kiera, Lana begins to piece together that she might be living in a version of her life where she never became an actress. She recalls her memories of Avalon and starts to realize that this version of herself might have stayed in Ireland, creating a life that feels both comforting and foreign.
Her relationships here, especially with Cillian, seem to carry unresolved emotions from her past.
As Lana grapples with the possibilities of her new life, she uncovers the truth about her relationship with Aimee, Theo, and the choices they made. Aimee’s decision to stay in Avalon, despite having been accepted to a program abroad, has always been a point of confusion for Lana.
She learns that Aimee’s choice was rooted in her love for Theo, which had led to a rift between the two friends. Meg, or Lana, is now faced with the emotional toll of reconciling with the life she might have lived and the one she has left behind.
The tension escalates as Lana prepares for a performance in Avalon, which brings her closer to the truth about her dual existence. She struggles with her memories of Aimee, her death, and the unresolved feelings about their past friendship.
The performance becomes an emotional release, and as she plays the role of someone else, Lana confronts her grief and the lingering emotions surrounding Aimee’s death.
The journey into Avalon becomes a transformative one for Lana. She begins to understand the value of simple, genuine connections, as opposed to the shallow relationships she had in Hollywood.
She forms a deeper bond with Cillian, who plays a significant role in this version of her life. As she comes to terms with the reality that she might never return to her old life, she faces a choice: embrace the life she has now, or continue to chase the fame and success that have brought her little happiness.
In a final confrontation with her own feelings, Lana acknowledges that her life in Los Angeles, with all its superficiality, never fulfilled her in the way she thought it would. In Avalon, she finds peace and fulfillment in meaningful relationships and the simplicity of everyday life.
However, the uncertainty of her past and the existence of the other version of her life continue to haunt her.
The novel ends with Lana returning to Los Angeles, uncertain about the future but determined to rebuild her life. She finds solace in her family and friends, especially as she visits Aimee’s parents and confronts the painful truths about her past.
In a moment of serendipity, Lana meets Cillian again in London, leading her to wonder what might lie ahead in this new chapter of her life. Through the healing process, Lana learns to let go of her past and embraces the possibility of a future built on genuine love and connections.
Characters
Meg Bryan / Lana Lord
Meg, also known by her stage name Lana Lord, is the protagonist of The Other Side of Now. She is a complex character caught in the middle of two conflicting realities: her glamorous yet unfulfilling life in Hollywood and a quieter, more intimate life in Avalon.
Initially, Meg is disoriented and unsure of her situation, struggling to make sense of her altered reality. Her past as an actress is filled with fame, superficiality, and dissatisfaction.
However, when she finds herself in Avalon, Ireland, she begins to feel a deep sense of connection to this new life, even though she doesn’t fully remember it.
As Meg navigates through this strange shift, she unravels the mystery of her life, encountering fragmented memories, people she doesn’t recognize, and objects that remind her of her past. Throughout the story, Meg grapples with her dual existence and the question of identity.
Her internal conflict is heightened by her intense emotional responses to the past, particularly her relationship with her best friend, Aimee. The tension between her past life in Hollywood and her present life in Avalon forces Meg to question the choices she has made and whether she can ever truly reconcile the two versions of herself.
She is a deeply reflective character, torn between her old life, with all its fame and superficiality, and the new life she is slowly starting to embrace, where meaningful connections and simpler joys prevail.
Aimee
Aimee is Meg’s best friend, whose complex relationship with Meg forms a core part of the narrative. In The Other Side of Now, Aimee is not only a pivotal figure in Meg’s life but also a symbol of lost friendship and unresolved feelings.
Initially, Aimee is depicted as someone who has grown distant from Meg, especially after forming a relationship with Theo, which strains their once-strong bond. Their friendship begins to unravel as Aimee’s priorities shift, and Meg is left feeling abandoned.
Despite their estrangement, Aimee’s presence in the story continues to be significant, even after her death, which occurs under mysterious circumstances. Aimee’s memory haunts Meg as she navigates through the confusing alternate reality in Avalon, where Aimee is still alive.
This disorienting revelation challenges Meg’s perception of her past, and throughout the novel, Aimee’s character represents the longing for closure and the unresolved emotions that Meg must confront. Aimee’s ultimate confession, that she had chosen to stay in Avalon with Theo instead of following Meg to the U.
S. , adds another layer to their relationship, shedding light on Aimee’s choices and the reasons behind their falling out.
Cillian
Cillian is a key figure in Meg’s life in Avalon. His relationship with Meg is complex, and he serves as a grounding force in her journey through the confusion of her shifting reality.
Cillian is a man who has known Meg in this alternate version of her life, and their history together is tinged with both affection and unresolved tension. He represents stability and familiarity in Avalon, where Meg feels like a stranger.
Although Meg is initially hesitant about her feelings for Cillian, their interactions reveal that they have a deep emotional connection that transcends the uncertainty she feels about her current reality.
Cillian’s presence in Meg’s life becomes crucial as she begins to question the choices she has made. He is patient and understanding, offering her support as she grapples with her memories and the reality she now faces.
Over time, their relationship evolves, moving from an awkward familiarity to a more intimate connection. Cillian’s role in the story is significant because he helps Meg come to terms with her past, particularly the fear she has about being trapped in relationships and commitments.
Through Cillian, Meg begins to understand the possibility of building new relationships that are more meaningful than the fleeting connections she had in her previous life.
Kiera
Kiera is one of Meg’s few anchors in the strange new life she is trying to make sense of in Avalon. As a friend who seems to have known Meg for years, Kiera plays an important role in helping Meg confront her memory issues and adjust to the reality of her current situation.
Despite the confusion surrounding Meg’s memory loss, Kiera is supportive, though her skepticism grows as Meg insists that her past life in Los Angeles is not just a dream. Kiera’s practicality and concern for Meg’s well-being balance out the more fantastical elements of Meg’s story.
While Kiera may not fully understand the depth of Meg’s internal conflict, she is genuinely caring and tries to help Meg piece together the parts of her life that seem missing. Kiera’s relationship with Meg is grounded in the familiarity of shared history, but it also serves as a reminder of the discrepancies between Meg’s two lives.
Her support allows Meg to explore the possibility that her life in Avalon may be real, but it also forces Meg to face the uncertainty that surrounds her memory and her identity. Kiera is one of the few people in the novel who represents an anchor to reality, even if that reality is constantly in flux for Meg.
Theo
Theo plays a central role in the emotional dynamics between Meg and Aimee. Though not as prominently featured in the story as other characters, Theo’s influence is felt throughout the narrative.
His relationship with Aimee is a key factor in the breakdown of Aimee and Meg’s friendship. Meg’s feelings toward Theo are complicated, as she resents him for his role in pulling Aimee away from her.
In the altered reality of Avalon, where Aimee is alive, Theo’s presence causes Meg to confront the unresolved feelings and tensions that have shaped her past.
Theo represents the external forces that have altered Meg and Aimee’s relationship. His impact on the story is significant because he helps Meg come to terms with the choices she and Aimee made, as well as the emotional rift that still exists between them.
Despite the tension surrounding his character, Theo’s role in the narrative ultimately aids in Meg’s understanding of the lost opportunities and the changes that have taken place in her life.
Themes
Identity and Self-Discovery
The theme of identity and self-discovery is central to The Other Side of Now, as the protagonist Meg struggles to reconcile the version of herself she left behind in Los Angeles with the life she is living in Avalon. Her confusion begins when she experiences a shift in her reality, questioning the very essence of who she is.
The shift in her memories, her past, and the disorienting experiences in Avalon trigger a deep internal conflict as she navigates between two lives. The confusion Meg faces is not merely about remembering specific events or people, but also about understanding her core self—who she is at her essence and how her past choices have shaped her present identity.
Meg’s journey through these alternate realities forces her to confront parts of her identity she had never considered before, leading her to question the paths she chose, the relationships she nurtured, and the person she became as a result. Her experiences in Avalon challenge her to look beyond the surface, considering not just who she is in relation to others, but also who she wants to be moving forward.
By the end of the novel, Meg’s process of self-discovery is not about finding one definitive version of herself, but about embracing the complexities of her identity and the possibility of transformation. The narrative underscores that identity is fluid, shaped by both conscious choices and uncontrollable forces, and sometimes, the journey to understanding oneself is about accepting the dissonance between the lives one leads and the person one truly is.
The Impact of Memory
Memory plays a significant role in The Other Side of Now, as it becomes a tool for unraveling the mystery of Meg’s alternate reality. The unreliable nature of her memories creates a profound emotional and psychological conflict within her.
Meg’s inability to trust her recollections and the inconsistencies she uncovers in the life she believes she’s living highlight how fragile and malleable memory can be. As she grapples with her past and present, Meg comes to realize that memories, while they serve as anchors to her identity, can also be deceptive.
Her memories of Aimee, her career, and even her family are distorted, leading her to question the very nature of her reality. The theme of memory also ties into the idea of loss—particularly the loss of Aimee—and how it shapes not only Meg’s identity but also her emotional state.
Her memories of Aimee, who is alive in one reality but dead in another, underscore the emotional dissonance that comes with loss. The ambiguity surrounding memory in the story reveals how it can act as both a source of comfort and a source of torment, complicating the search for closure.
Ultimately, the novel presents memory as a powerful force that shapes personal truth, yet one that can be unreliable, forcing the characters to come to terms with what they choose to remember and what they choose to forget.
Friendship and Betrayal
The theme of friendship, particularly the complexities of Meg’s relationship with Aimee, is a crucial aspect of The Other Side of Now. Their bond, which once seemed unshakable, becomes increasingly strained as Meg experiences the profound effects of Aimee’s departure from her life.
The story explores how friendships can evolve, sometimes under the weight of unspoken feelings, romantic entanglements, and personal growth. Meg’s estrangement from Aimee is not solely a result of their changing lives, but of deeper emotional fractures—particularly Aimee’s involvement with Theo, which Meg resents.
Their friendship becomes an emotional battlefield, where unresolved feelings of betrayal and hurt linger. Aimee’s decision to stay with Theo, rather than accompany Meg to Avalon, signifies a betrayal that Meg cannot easily forgive.
However, the story also highlights how friendships are layered and often complicated by circumstances that are difficult to fully understand in the moment. As Meg’s journey unfolds, she starts to see the nuances of Aimee’s choices, realizing that her friend’s decisions were not simply betrayals, but rather, complex actions shaped by her own desires and fears.
Ultimately, Meg’s reflections on her friendship with Aimee reveal that betrayal in relationships is often not as clear-cut as it initially seems. In the end, The Other Side of Now demonstrates that while betrayal can scar friendships, it is also possible for these bonds to heal, especially when both parties confront their shared past with honesty and empathy.
Love and Relationships
Love and relationships in The Other Side of Now are examined through the lens of Meg’s interactions with those closest to her, including her former best friend Aimee and the man from her present life, Cillian. Meg’s relationships are characterized by both emotional intensity and a sense of disconnection.
With Aimee, love is tinged with a sense of unresolved grief and betrayal, as their once-close bond is tested by Aimee’s choices and her tragic death. Through this lens, the novel explores how love can be simultaneously a source of joy and sorrow, offering a sense of belonging, yet also exposing vulnerabilities.
Meg’s feelings for Cillian add another layer to the theme of love, as she navigates the complexities of their past and present relationship. Her hesitation and emotional withdrawal from Cillian reflect a deeper fear of commitment, and the struggle to reconcile her need for connection with the fear of losing herself in another person.
This dynamic mirrors her overall journey of self-discovery, as Meg learns to embrace the love around her without letting it define her entirely. The narrative ultimately suggests that love, in its many forms, is not about perfection or certainty, but about the willingness to be vulnerable, to accept imperfections, and to find a sense of peace in the connections one forms.
The Search for Meaning
The Other Side of Now delves deeply into the existential questions that arise when Meg is forced to confront the meaning of her life. Struggling with a sense of dissatisfaction and disconnection from her Hollywood career, Meg begins to search for a deeper purpose and a more fulfilling life.
Her career as an actress, once a source of validation and success, has become an empty pursuit. She feels the weight of superficiality and the toll it has taken on her sense of self.
The novel explores the idea that fame, wealth, and external achievements can often mask a deeper void—a sense of longing for something more meaningful. Meg’s journey to Avalon and her experiences there act as a catalyst for her search for meaning, as she is confronted with the simplicity and beauty of a life rooted in genuine relationships and personal connections.
Through her time in Avalon, Meg begins to question what truly matters to her, moving away from the superficial pursuit of fame and success, and toward the understanding that real fulfillment comes from authentic, personal experiences. The novel illustrates that the search for meaning is not linear, and often involves confronting painful truths, reconciling with the past, and making choices that align with one’s true desires, rather than societal expectations.
In the end, Meg learns that the meaning of life is not something to be found in achievements or external validation, but in the connections she nurtures and the personal growth she experiences.