The Last Book

The Last Book departs from Thomas Mann's last, unfinished novel (foreseen as the start of a trilogy) and propels the picaresque hero, confidence man Felix Krull, into the speculative waters of time travel, alternative history, and a dystopian future, via a 70s joyride through middle America.

At the height of his powers, Felix is recruited by a future presidential candidate, Sophie, to join her campaign team. Committed foremost to the fruits of personal charm and destiny, Felix embarks on a quest to reunite with Sophie, testing both his mettle on a world stage and his capacity for loyalty and enduring love.

A comparable work is David Mitchell's Cloud Atlas, shaded with House of Cards. Other writers with stylistic echoes include Tom Robbins, Jack Kerouac, Margaret Atwood, Kurt Vonnegut, Umberto Eco, and Philip K. Dick.