After David

by Catherine Texier

In unapologetic, sensuous prose, Catherine Texier’s After David explores the languishing sex life of Eve, a writer in her early sixties who is the divorced mother of two grown daughters. Ignoring the concerns of friends and family, Eve satisfies her urges by having casual sex with the younger men she meets through online dating. But she can’t fully shake the Catholic guilt over her relentless seductiveness, that is, until she begins a revitalizing affair with Jonah, a thirty-something jazz guitarist who gives her a new lease on life and tempts her to leave behind the complicated memories of a failed marriage.

This erotic yet poignant literary work dares to venture into the aftermath of one woman’s divorce and the passionate lopsided love affair that follows it. Reminiscent of Colette’s Chéri, Catherine Texier’s After David vividly captures a portrait of the fearlessly aging contemporary woman.

Genres: Literary Fiction

254 pages, Paperback

Published May 14, 2024

Reviews

[Sara Virasami · Rating 2 out of 5]

*2.5 STARS*

I unfortunately, just could not connect with this book whatsoever. It's very possible that a divorcee may have more of a connection to this life after story - however I've never had an issue connecting with an age gap story before.

I think it was descriptive, written well, and had the potential to be better, however I felt it lacked a lot of actual substance.

It gave me Sex and the City meets Cougar Town vibes. I do feel like Eve, our FMC somewhat changed between the first and second half of the book, but not in a positive to the plot way and moreso how she was written changed

[Eric Sasson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I gobbled this book up in a matter of days. It’s super compelling and a fun, breezy read about a woman in her sixties who falls hard for a much younger man, and how she comes to understand herself and her past romantic relationships through this experience. I love how straightforward and unpretentious the book is- it reads like the author is just sitting you down and telling you a story. It’s also great to see a book about this topic, which weirdly remains somewhat taboo even in 2024. But really, the book is probably just ahead of its time- in 20 years, I imagine (or hope) this kind of story is much more commonly written about, and that we realize that women (and men) who are a bit older still have sexual agency and like the rest of us, are entitled to seek love and desire.

[Kelly Pramberger · Rating 5 out of 5]

I want more! What a story. Texier might be my new favorite writer. Her story was so well written and I felt like I was in NYC with her. I loved the perspective of a woman in her sixties dating a younger man. This had all the things I desire in a book. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

[Jxn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Catherine Texier's "After David" delves into the intricacies of Eve's life, a writer in her early sixties, who finds herself struggling with a dwindling sex life after a divorce and the challenges of aging. With unapologetic and sensuous prose, Texier fearlessly explores Eve's journey of self-discovery and sexual liberation in the face of societal expectations and her own Catholic guilt. The novel begins by delving into Eve's casual encounters with younger men she meets through online dating, fulfilling her desires while battling the internal conflict of her seductiveness. Texier masterfully captures the inner turmoil and the lingering effects of Eve's failed marriage, portraying her as a complex and multifaceted character. However, everything changes when she embarks on a passionate affair with Jonah, a jazz guitarist in his thirties, who reinvigorates her life and tempts her to leave behind the ghosts of her past. Texier's writing seamlessly weaves together elements of eroticism and poignancy, creating a captivating literary work that explores the aftermath of divorce and the transformative power of love. The novel's exploration of the lopsided love affair is reminiscent of Colette's "Chéri," presenting a raw and authentic portrayal of a contemporary woman fearlessly navigating the challenges of aging and love. Catherine Texier, a renowned author, brings her wealth of experience to "After David." With six novels and a memoir under her belt, Texier's talent shines through in her ability to delve deep into the intricacies of her characters' lives. Her work has garnered international acclaim, and "After David" is no exception. The vividness of Texier's storytelling evokes a range of emotions, immersing readers in a thought-provoking exploration of love, desire, and the complexities of human relationships. Texier's ability to capture the essence of the fearlessly aging contemporary woman is commendable. Through Eve's journey, readers are invited to reflect on their own experiences with love and aging, resonating with the universal themes presented in the novel. Texier's portrayal of Eve serves as a testament to the strength and resilience of women as they navigate the challenges of life and embrace their true desires. "After David" is an absorbing and evocative read, shedding light on the intricacies of love, sex, and self-discovery. Catherine Texier's masterful storytelling and profound exploration of the human psyche make this novel a must-read for anyone seeking a thought-provoking and unabashedly honest portrayal of the complexities of relationships and the pursuit of personal happiness.

[Liv]

thank you ITNA & netgalley for the e-ARC!

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3.5 ✩

I found Catherine Texier’s writing extremely engaging and I particularly loved how saturated this novel was with culture, books, films & music. As someone who loves all those things, and could summon some of the references Texier made in vivid detail, it made the experience so much more immersive and made me feel more connected to Eve. I also felt empowered by the exploration of female power through Eve’s career and her sexual desires.

However, and this is no fault of Texier’s, as I did request this novel, I don’t think I was the target audience and it did mean I failed to fully empathise with what Eve was going through, her desires, and her thought processes. After David is a great character study but I also found myself wanting to wade even further into Eve’s life and her psyche. I understand that the whole point of Jonah and Eve’s relationship is that it had no legs, but I feel like that could still be true whilst exploring the dynamic more in-depth.

Overall, I did really enjoy my reading experience. It reminded me of Happy Hour by Marlowe Granados for an older generation.

[Kimberlyisaddicted2books · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolutely enthralling and addictive read. I was halfway through the book when I realized it was a work of fiction, I felt so connected to the character and the way the book was written, I was sure this whole story was as real as I am. Though surprised and in awe of the author's writing style, finding out it was fiction didn't affect how much I loved reading it and loved the story.

The main character is as real as can be, empowering and it's nice to read and relate to that obsession we all have when we first meet someone and the energy is electric. It's a very empowering, sexy, erotic and vulnerable and strong book.

I definitely recommend it and I look forward to reading more books by this author.

🎸 🎸🎸🎸🎸/5

Thank you Itna Press for a copy of this book, I read it in two and a half days and would've read it faster had it been possible.

[freyttsie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found Eve super empowering, but overall I wasn't really moved by her or the rest of the characters. This is also the definition of "no plot, just vibes" which normally, I love! But I think it was hard to feel connected with this story. One thing that really worked for me though was the beautiful and immersive description of New York City.

Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced reader copy!