Rafael Frumkin

Stories about slick con artists and talented grifters continue to fascinate and are often approached with a mixture of admiration and abhorrence. Frumkin’s second novel is told from the perspective of a besotted genius whose connection with a charismatic conman is both strategic and passionate. As a young man, Ezra Green had resorted to a life of petty crime and trickery as retaliation for abuse he endured due to his awkward appearance and manner. When he is caught and sent to a school aptly named “Last Chance,” he is introduced to Orson Ortman—the epitome of all the qualities that Ezra lacks. To his astonishment, the handsome, charming, and magnetic boy seeks his friendship. Combining their talents, they embark on an escalating scheme to gain riches and revenge. Charles Dickens’ work is a clear influence for Frumkin, but here there is no sympathetic orphan who is unwittingly ensnared. Ezra’s increasing blindness to Orson and his sociopathy is both literal and figurative, but he is no naïve pawn. Frumkin alludes to cult-like organizations that capitalize on human weakness and endless quest for self-improvement. Confidence is explored in all its aspects: deceit, secrets, trust, faithfulness and self-esteem. The author addresses how reverence for technology has become our modern version of unknowable magic. Paired with a system that encourages unchecked growth and speed, these conditions lead to a breeding ground for those who maneuver to exploit others. Confidence is a morality tale without the moral—demonstrating how lack of accountability and a refusal to learn from the past can wreak destruction on a personal and even worldwide scale.

Thanks to the author and Simon & Schuster for an ARC in exchange for an unbiased review.… (plus d'informations)

It was difficult to be me in 2007.
from Confidence by Rafael Frumkin

Ezra Green was short, soft, with bad eyes and a snaggletooth, his family too poor to afford a dentist. He was also very bright and always looking for a chance to make some money–not always legally. It landed him at Last Chance Camp at age seventeen. The misery of that place changed with the arrival of Orson, astonishingly good looking and surprisingly adept at hustling. Together, it seemed that nothing could stop them. They hustled at the camp. They scammed their way into money after camp. In fact, they created a cultish pyramid scheme that brought them billions and fame and access to rich and beautiful people.

Ezra had fallen in love with Orson from the beginning, and for a long time it appeared that Orson not only needed him but cared for him. But after they reached their greatest success, Orson took up with a beautiful airhead actress and sidelined Ezra. It didn’t stop Ezra, whose business acumen–quite illegal, of course–grew the business.

This dark humor satire was a fun read. Ezra is a fantastic, original character. His worsening eye sight and unrequited love make him vulnerable, but his drive to con is relentless. Orson remains a mystery; we never know his true feelings; we see that he uses his charm and beauty to manipulate people for his own purposes. It makes him dangerous. But not as dangerous as Ezra, the real brains of the operation.

Frumkin wanted to write the book he wanted to read, a heist novel that was overtly queer. He got to thinking of what a millennial con-artist might come up with. The idea of the pair selling bliss through a machine is perfect. In today’s world, most of us want to escape and find peace and happiness anyway we can. If only we could just put down a few dollars, strap on a headset, and find Nirvana..

I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for a fair and unbiased review.… (plus d'informations)