The Take

A successful Hollywood film producer and a struggling writer take part in an experimental reverse-aging treatment in this clever satire from YA author Yang (Parachutes). Maggie Wang, 23, receives a damning critique of her novella from the head of her MFA program and considers throwing in the towel. Meanwhile, “demanding” movie producer Ingrid Parker, 53, struggles to get a passion project off the ground. After Ingrid’s doctor tells her about an experimental procedure in which an aging patient’s cells are exchanged with a younger person’s to stave off the risk of cancer, she hires Maggie as an assistant and tells her she’s willing to pay someone $3 million for the cell swap, knowing the procedure will cause the other person’s own aging to accelerate. Maggie volunteers, and as the women begin treatments, Maggie comes to view Ingrid as a mentor who will help her writing career take off. But when Ingrid reclaims her health, she steals ideas from Maggie’s novella for a new pitch, and Maggie retaliates by approaching literary agents claiming Ingrid has optioned her work. Yang pokes fun at her characters’ unbridled ambition, which causes Maggie to lose her judgment (“Maybe this is the real American dream.... Not caring what anyone else thinks!” she says to Ingrid before the betrayal). It’s a hoot. Agent: Faye Bender, Book Group. (Apr.)