Tell Me I’m an Artist

Martin’s youthful, character-driven latest (after Caca Dolce) digs into imposter syndrome and class differences among a crew of San Francisco art students. Joelle Berry, a sophomore, has decided to create a remake of the film Rushmore, despite having never seen it. Meanwhile, her emotionally abusive mother and crack-addicted sister attempt to drag Joelle back into their problems. Her new friend Suz is a font of consolation and networking opportunities, but Joelle can’t relate to the ease of Suz’s more privileged life, or the surety with which Suz treats her place in the world. As the school year progresses, Joelle struggles to find confidence. With a series of short, one-to-five-page scenes spliced by Joelle’s Google searches and handwritten journal entries, Martin captures her protagonist’s youthful insecurity and desire for creative direction. Though the momentum can sometimes feel as stalled as Joelle’s development, Martin’s humor shines with Joelle’s Rushmore drafts, which cleverly reflect her anxiety: “Jason Schwartzman: When you knew me in the future, was I still living in Sacramento? Older woman: Yes. Jason Schwartzman, destroying his apartment in a rage: That’s so fucked up! I’m supposed to move to LA! The whole plan is to move to LA! This blows!” Despite the fits and starts, Martin’s writing holds the reader’s attention. Agent: Monika Woods, Triangle House. (Aug.)