Mouth to Mouth by Antoine Wilson
Synopsis
A Barack Obama Summer Read
Alone on the beach one morning, Jeff notices a swimmer drowning in the rough surf. He rescues and resuscitates the unconscious man, then quietly leaves when the emergency services take over. But Jeff can't let go of the events of that traumatic day and he begins to feel compelled to learn more about the man whose life he has saved.
Upon discovering that it was the renowned millionaire art-dealer Francis Arsenault, Jeff begins to visit his gallery, eventually applying there for a job. Although Francis doesn't seem to recognize Jeff, he soon takes him under his wing, initiating him into a world of unimaginable power and wealth. As Jeff finds himself seduced by the lifestyle, he pursues a deeper connection with Francis, until morals become expendable and their relationship becomes ever darker, leaving Jeff finally to wonder... should he have just let Francis drown?
Reviews
'Carries distinct shades of Patricia Highsmith and Donna Tartt... Supremely gripping' Vogue, Best Books of the Year
'Devilish' Esquire, Best Books of the Year
'Jaw-dropping' Time, Must Read Book of the Year
About the Author
Antoine Wilson is the author of the novels Panorama City and The Interloper. His work has appeared in The Paris Review, Story Quarterly, and Best New American Voices, among other publications, and he is a contributing editor of the literary magazine A Public Space as well as the Los Angeles Review of Books. He lives in Los Angeles.