Worthy

In Worthy, a former con artist reflects on her tumultuous love affair and the choices that led her to a life of deception and regret.

In Worthy, readers are introduced to Ludmila, who adopts the moniker 'Worthy' as she navigates her life as a former con artist. Managing a struggling strip club in Tampa for her lover, Leo, she keeps many of her past experiences shrouded in mystery. As the narrative unfolds, Worthy begins to share the story of her tumultuous love affair with Theodore, a capricious literature professor. Their relationship is heavily influenced by the ideologies found in the Four Books: Mann's Confessions of Felix Krull, Confidence Man, Nabokov's Despair, Melville's The Confidence-Man, and Camus's The Fall.

Worthy and Theodore's shared passion for these literary works leads them down a path of deception and adventure, transforming them into confidence artists. Their escapades take them across various landscapes, from New York to Mexico City and the South of France, all while exploring the depths of their shared madness. Despite her witty and charming demeanor, Worthy's storytelling raises profound questions about her past, including the fate of Theodore and the reasons behind her decision to leave her son, Mirek.

Lisa Birnbaum's Worthy captures the essence of a picaresque narrative, enriched with linguistic flair reminiscent of Eimear McBride and the confessional depth of Camus. The tale is not just about love and loss but also about the elusive nature of truth and the complexities of human relationships.