The Take

Veteran Hollywood screenwriter and producer Ingrid Parker has a morbid fear of growing older. When she hears of a breakthrough blood-exchange process that can take 10 years off her age, she jumps at the chance. She is matched with 23-year-old MFA writing student Maggie Wang, who’s dazzled by the proffered three million dollars—and the offer of mentorship by Ingrid. Maggie agrees to 10 weeks of the blood-exchange procedure to earn enough to pay off staggering debts. Never mind that there are big risks for her, including the possibility of rapid aging. As the treatments progress, the women grow closer and the power dynamics shift. There are serious themes in Yang’s (“Front Desk” series) adult debut. Besides exploring women’s empowerment, misogyny, and race (Ingrid is white, Maggie is Asian American), the book asks how much one person can take from another to advance their own agenda. Readers get a glimpse into the seamy side of the film world, where everyone exploits and oppresses to tell their own version of the story for a big payday. The novel includes explicit details of intimacy. Note also that few of the characters are particularly sympathetic, which may turn off some readers.