Antonia Kerr's 'Le Désamour' Explores Toxic Love

Antonia Kerr's second novel, 'Le Désamour' (Gallimard), dissects a destructive romance between aging New York writer Glenn and young swimming champion Laura. Kerr, born in 1989, employs a lucid, powerful style reminiscent of Balthus. The narrative follows Glenn's paralyzing anxiety that Laura is feigning love, leading to a war of attrition. Laura's mysterious disappearances and Glenn's self-sabotage culminate in her mock breakup: 'I'm leaving you but it's fake.' The novel is dedicated to Romain Gary, who famously said, 'You must not be afraid of happiness. It's just a good time to spend.' Kerr is described as a fictional great-niece of Philip Roth, matching his phosphorescent disenchantment. The review by Marc Emile Baronheid appeared in artpress.