Marianne’s Pick of the Week: Audition by Katie Kitamura

When the Booker Committee announced its winner, Flesh by David Scalzi, a few weeks ago I thought that I should review the rest of the nominees. Well, low and behold one had escaped me. Audition by Katie Kitamura was missing from my 2025 Reading List. I decided to remedy that situation immediately. I am happy to report that I made the right move.

Part I of the novel is the story of a well-established, older actress meeting for lunch with a handsome, younger man. Is she having an affair? Is the young man her son? Is he, her protégée? The restaurant staff and patrons cannot help but sneak peeks at the couple trying to figure out the relationship.

Xavier, the young man, confesses that after reading an interview of the actress, he believes that he is her son. Later when the actress is in rehearsals for a demanding new theater role, she spies Xavier in the back observing her. She is alternately disturbed and relieved to see him again. Xavier winds up working for the play’s director and the two establish a tentative relationship. Xavier provides the actress with moral support as she struggles with her part in the play.

In stunning turn, Part II switches to a future date when the actress and Xavier are joined by her husband, Tomas, a writer. Xavier is now part of the family and moves in with Tomas and the actress when the director he assists leaves for an extended trip. When Xavier’s girlfriend joins the “family” so that Xavier can focus on writing a play, tensions between the generations arise. Living in each other’s space and adjusting to habits creates tension between the couples. The actress and Tomas question Xavier’s motivation, work ethic, and life choices.

Kitamura uses the novel to explore themes of family and the unknowability of others, even those closest to us. Are we always performing, acting a part, auditioning? Kitamura leaves it up to the reader to decide.

I recommend this book to readers of Colored Television by Danzy Senna or Rental House by Weike Wang.