Open Wide: A Novel

Olive is a radio host in her thirties who has always struggled to connect with people. She secretly records conversations to help her understand social cues and feel less alone. When Theo, a surgeon and former soccer player, begins working at the food pantry where she volunteers, Olive feels understood by him for the first time. Theo is fascinated by human organs and shares Olive's unusual perspective. As Olive becomes increasingly obsessed with Theo and afraid of losing him, she seeks a way to bind him to her permanently. She fixates on the gap between his front teeth as a means to achieve this closeness. The novel explores intimacy, love, and consent as ordinary human desires take on surreal and dark dimensions, blending romantic, horrific, and profound elements throughout.