Impersonation

Professional ghostwriter Allie Lang has a big problem: her new project, which had promised financial stability for at least the short term, has fallen apart thanks to sexual assault allegations against its celebrity subject. Easing the sting, however, is an exciting new collaboration with Lana Breban, a feminist icon Allie admires. Allie’s task is to help Lana convey warmth and softness in a book about parenting. When Lana refuses to offer the kind of personal anecdotes readers will want, it’s up to Allie to fill in the blanks with stories from her own life as a single mother. Allie’s stories strike a nerve–and Allie finds herself in the uneasy position of giving away her own life, for questionable return. Meanwhile, Allie’s deadbeat boyfriend sets off on a road trip, and Allie’s mother grows increasingly frantic about learning who exactly Allie’s new book subject is. The choices Allie makes about her work will impact her life in ways she could never imagine.

Impersonation is a witty and unnerving glimpse behind the pretty pages of celebrity autobiographies, and it’s entertaining to see Allie tailor her voice and perspective to mirror her subjects. But her ability to lose herself is ultimately harmful, and Allie must learn to give voice to her own needs. Only by defining and harnessing her own ambition will Allie become the person and mother she wants to be.