Friction

The title of Urroz's rambling metaphysical novel refers to the tension between fiction and reality, and love and strife, though the narrative is more concerned with friction of a more common, sexy variety. The protagonists of each of the two intertwining story lines often have trouble deducing what is real and what is fiction. In one, professor Eusebio Cardoso, teaches at a Southern U.S. college and makes some shocking discoveries about his wife and ex-wife before getting himself into trouble at home and at work. Then there's the second-person story line about "you," a Mexico City businessman who discovers his wife in bed with the old friend he had commissioned to paint her portrait. From there, the story line pedals backward to the blossoming of their affair, while Eusebio is dealt a string of setbacks and is told a strange story about his colleagues eating feces. Urroz (The Obstacles) attempts playful absurdity, but while often clever, no amount of self-deprecating winks can mask the fact that the novel is more concept than substance. (Dec.)