In "Audition," Katie Kitamura presents a thought-provoking narrative about an unnamed female actor navigating her relationships amidst a backdrop of professional challenges. The novel opens with an intriguing encounter between the narrator and a younger man, prompting contemplation of power dynamics in relationships. As the story unfolds, it delves into the complexities of her marriage with Tomas and the relationship with the young man, Xavier, leading to a dramatic shift in their dynamics. This exploration of identity is echoed throughout Kitamura's previous works, culminating in a poignant commentary on the roles individuals play in life.
'In her latest novel, "Audition," Katie Kitamura exploits all the tension and ambiguity inherent in that opening scene to craft a short, propulsive novel that suggests that at work and in life, we are constantly trying out roles and making it up as we go along.'
'The relationships between her, Xavier and Tomas are turned upside down in head-spinning fashion like the figure/ground illusion known as Rubin's vase. Look at the picture one way, and it is a container for flowers; look at it another way, and it is the silhouettes of two heads facing each other.'
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