Mouth to Mouth, A Novel by Antoine Wilson

* Spoilers 

This novel is an art piece as a puzzle. Does the main character, Jeff, become fascinated with the man whose life he saves with mouth-to-mouth resuscitation? Or does he sense a glimmer of hope of a better life through this man? As it happens, the man Jeff has anonymously saved, Francis Arsenault, is a well-known dealer in the glittering art world of Los Angeles. Jeff insinuates himself into Francis’ life, working at his gallery and dating his daughter, Chloe, until the deceit reaches a logical conclusion.

Jeff is telling this story in an airport lounge, the story of his life, to a writer, who he runs into and vaguely knew from school, for an even more unreliable narrator experience. The MFA-seeking, miffed-at-her-father daughter Chloe is subtly funny and well realized. And so is Francis’ unperturbed wife, Alison.  With a resemblance to Dead To Me, the author may have had Netflix in mind, since the book would make a good series or small scale movie. 
 
 


 

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