Innocents and Others

A "thrillingly complex and emotionally astute" novel about aspiration, film, work, and love. 'A wonderfully gifted writer with an uncanny feel for the absurdities and sadnesses of contemporary life' Michiko Kakutani, New York Times 'The brilliant Dana Spiotta had me from page one . . . a lithely intelligent, moving inquiry into the mysterious compositions of art and friendships' Jess Walter, author of Beautiful Ruins Meadow Mori and Carrie Wexler grew up together in Los Angeles, and both became filmmakers. Meadow makes challenging documentaries; Carrie makes successful feature films with a feminist slant. The two friends have everything in common - except their views on sex, power, movie-making and morality. And yet their loyalty trumps their different approaches to film and to life. Until, one day, a mysterious woman with a unique ability to cold-call and seduce powerful men over the phone - not through sex, but through listening - becomes the subject of one of Meadow's documentaries. Her downfall, and what makes her so extraordinarily moving, is that she pretends to be someone she is not. Heart-breaking and insightful, Innocents and Others is an astonishing novel about friendship, identity, loneliness and art. 'A wondrous and mysterious novel, a spectacular and subtle meditation on sight and sound . . . brilliant, and erotic, and pop' Rachel Kushner, author of The Flamethrowers Meadow Mori and Carrie Wexler grew up together in Los Angeles, and both became filmmakers. Meadow makes challenging documentaries; Carrie makes successful feature films with a feminist slant. The two friends have everything in common--except their views on sex, power, movie-making, and morality. And yet their loyalty trumps their different approaches to film and to life. Until, one day, a mysterious woman with a unique ability to enthral men over the phone becomes the subject of one of Meadow's documentaries, and throws everything into jeopardy. Heart-breaking and insightful, Innocents and Others is an extraordinary novel about friendship, filmmaking, loneliness and art.