Mouth to Mouth: ‘Gripping... Shades of Patricia Highsmith and Donna Tartt’ Vogue

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Even if Jeff was obscuring the ways in which he and Francis are similar, can you identify traits the two men might share? Because I was ready for it, it caused me to theorize about things that I probably would not have otherwise. I would no sooner finish a chapter when that "just one more" mantra would start blaring through my brain. Mouth to Mouth tells the tale of an author whom awaiting his flight to Germany — amidst chasing a hole that he’d become somewhat of a Cult-status author, has a chance encounter with an old College acquaintance, whom winds up sharing a story of his life that throws the author and readers through a very eerily, strange yet poignant loop. Despite the length, the book contains a compelling plot, an intriguing mystery and interesting characters.

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. With its short and sharp chapters that leave you wanting more more more, the unnamed character, and audience at the centre of this story is — for me — it’s finest asset though as he acts on our behalf in a quizzical and comical way only to somehow simultaneously also not want us to know quite as much as he does. The first thing that one would notice upon picking up Antoine Wilson’s “Mouth to Mouth” is its brevity.

Funny you should say that,” Jeff said, as if he hadn’t just nudged the conversation in that direction. Mouth to Mouth is] powered by a kind of ominous propulsive forward momentum right up until the very end, which is unexpected and inevitable, as all the best endings are. As he kills time at the gate, he bumps into a former classmate of his, Jeff, who is waiting for the same flight.

While reading it, I was enjoying the wild ride, but much like Peggy Lee, once it was all over, I kept asking myself: "Is that all there is?

Upon discovering that the man, Francis, is a renowned art dealer, Jeff finds a job at his gallery in hopes of connecting with Francis and processing the event.

Eventually Francis came around, but would only tell people he’d broken the ribs in a “squash accident”. Having rescued him from certain drowning others arrive on the scene and eventually he’s left alone, with no knowledge of the identity of the man he saved.Jeff becomes obsessed with this man whose life he’s saved, tracking down his identity, spending days observing him, not quite plucking up the courage to reveal himself. As he slowly gets more and more involved in this man's life his judgments and motivations become more and more murky. A story within a story that offers plenty to think about, addictive writing that keeps you reading or listening, and a creative premise that draws you in. As Jeff’s life becomes more closely intertwined with Francis’s through his relationship with Francis’s daughter, Chloe, he finds his loyalties tested and begins to wonder just what he unleashed when he saved Francis’s life. This is one of those books that starts off with an intriguing premise that draws you in right away, after which the whole thing becomes a trudge.

The flight is delayed, so they start chatting and Jeff starts telling the story of his life since the pair were last together. I’m going to admit I was a little skeered too because he recommended Razorblade Tears which I only 2 Starred because I was afraid I would be drawn and quartered by its fans if I gave it 1.The characters jump off the page, engaging in a natural flow of conversation and reacting to situations with a range of physical movements, facial expressions, and emotions. Buuuuuuuuuuuut, I am a Hitchcock/Highsmith superfan and this slow rolling narrative reminded me of their films/stories and I became entirely enraptured.