Clumps of Fur
"It's a blizzard now. Flakes like clumps of fur ripped from winter's back." (pg 2)
This simile emphasizes the wildness of the snowfall; in the novel, it functions as a visual representation of Gerard's isolation, but in this sentence, it seems almost to be autonomous. It's a poetic image, one that accentuates the blizzard's violence, and therefore the difficulty of Gerard overcoming his solitude.
Laurel's Face
"Her face is still sharp and angular like a Cubist painting..." (pg 2)
Cubism, pioneered by Pablo Picasso, is an expressive art form with significant elements of modernity. Figures in Cubist paintings are almost caricatures; they're disproportional, oddly angular, and unflattering. This is a curious expression to use when describing a woman; it doesn't seem to be flattering, but perhaps the ultimate meaning behind the figures in Cubism sheds light on Laurel's character.
A Faucet Left Running
"Later at home in his study, he could re-create the moment he saw her in line at the shop and let the memory spill over like a faucet left running." (pg 3)
Gerard has a significant penchant for reliving memories, even at the expense of making new ones. He's wondering if he could have done something differently in attracting Laurel's attention, and he's preparing to enjoy the memory of his first glimpse of her later even if he messed everything up by relishing in the memory of the moment. The "faucet left running" also represents his mental state, especially when spending time in memory; he simply allows his mind to fill up and go whatever way it pleases.
Wings
"... [Lucy] runs back to the table, laughing and flailing her arms as though they are about to become wings." (pg 6)
This simile, likening Lucy's arms to wings, evokes the innocent joy of a child's happiness. She knows that her father has been with a woman, and she is thrilled at the possibility that she could have another mother. The imagery of flight parallels her inward emotional elevation.
Cold Water
"All of a sudden he feels a chill like cold water down his back." (pg 7)
While contemplating the juxtaposed life and death of Issy, Gerard feels a moment of helpless existential panic. This simile helps capture the sensation: the chill reflects the feeling of overwhelming realization that there's something you can't see.
