As If by Isabel Waidner review

Two uncannily similar men switch places in an existential farce that playfully explores the precarity of working life

As If by Isabel Waidner review

TL;DR

  • The novel "As If" by Isabel Waidner explores the precarity of working life through an existential farce.
  • Two strikingly similar strangers, Aubrey Lewis and Lindsey Korine, swap places and identities.
  • The narrative takes place in Clerkenwell, London, and involves elements of surrealism and absurdist humor.
  • A third character, Lucien Jelley, also resembles the main protagonists, suggesting a theme of constant replacement.
  • The book draws inspiration from "Waiting for Godot" and touches on themes of identity, performance, and ephemeral success.
  • References are made to Gary Oldman and Joe Orton, highlighting influences on the characters and the author's style.