French Exit by Patrick DeWitt is a darkly comedic tale of a wealthy widow and her son fleeing scandal in New York for Paris. Critics praise DeWitt's sharp wit, distinctive characters, and eccentric storyline. Some, however, find the plot meandering and the humor uneven. Overall, it is lauded for its unique narrative voice and memorable prose.

Readers who enjoy dark comedies, satirical tones, and flawed, eccentric characters will be captivated by Patrick DeWitt's French Exit. Fans of the social critique in The Bonfire of the Vanities by Tom Wolfe or the absurdist humor in A Confederacy of Dunces by John Kennedy Toole will appreciate this novel.

French Exit, by Patrick Dewitt, follows the story of Frances Price, a wealthy Manhattan widow, and her adult son, Malcolm, who face financial ruin and decide to move to Paris. As they navigate their new lives, the two encounter quirky characters, such as a clairvoyant, and confront their past, including secrets about Frances's deceased husband, leading to profound personal transformations. This book includes themes of death by suicide.

Dark / Humorous / Mysterious / Melancholic / Bittersweet

- French Exit by Patrick deWitt was shortlisted for the 2018 Scotiabank Giller Prize, one of Canada's most prestigious literary awards.
- The term "French exit," which inspired the book's title, refers to leaving a social gathering without saying goodbye.
- Patrick deWitt adapted his novel French Exit into a screenplay for the 2020 film of the same name, starring Michelle Pfeiffer and Lucas Hedges.

**Frances Price**  
A wealthy woman from Manhattan aristocracy, known for her striking beauty and cold demeanor, who comes up with a plan to settle her affairs in Paris.

**Malcolm Price**  
Frances's son, a brooding and unkempt thirty-two-year-old, struggling to achieve independence and searching for meaningful connections in life.

**Small Frank/Franklin**  
The family cat possessed by the spirit of Frances’s deceased husband, Franklin, once a dashing lawyer with a commanding presence.

**Mme Reynard**  
An open and honest woman who befriends Frances and Malcolm, inviting them into her life with disarming vulnerability and humor.

**Susan**  
Malcolm's fiancée, who breaks up with him early in the story, frustrated by his inability to choose her over his mother, Frances.

**Joan**  
Frances’s lifelong friend who provides comfort and a glimpse into Frances's emotional side, and shares a deep, enduring friendship with her.

Patrick Dewitt

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Part 1: “New York”

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Part 2: “Paris”

Part 2, Chapters 14-29

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Part 2, Chapter 30-Coda

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French Exit

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