Jill Ciment, a successful novelist, had a controversial love story that she shared in her 1996 memoir “Half a Life.” She described her teenage affair with Arnold Mesches, a 47-year-old painter whom she eventually married. However, in her new memoir “Consent,” Ciment revisits some of the details of their relationship.
Back in 1970, when Ciment was just 17 years old, she took art classes with Mesches, whom she admired for his work. Their relationship evolved from respect to infatuation, and one evening after class, she made a bold move by kissing him. Mesches, a married man with two teenage children, reciprocated.
For over two decades, Ciment and Mesches were together, with him being the first to read everything she wrote. However, after Mesches passed away in 2016, Ciment began to reconsider the story of their relationship. The rise of the #MeToo movement and the discussions around sexual harassment by powerful men prompted Ciment to reexamine her past.
Upon revisiting her memoir “Half a Life,” Ciment was shocked by how she had portrayed their first kiss. She remembered the moment vividly and realized that it was Mesches who initiated the kiss, not her as she had previously written. This revelation led her to question her own narrative and the power dynamics at play in their relationship.
Ciment’s introspection and reevaluation of her past shed light on the complexities of love, power, and consent in relationships. It serves as a reminder that stories can evolve and change over time as we gain new perspectives and insights. This journey of self-reflection and growth is a valuable lesson for readers to consider in their own lives and relationships.