Larissa Pham’s debut novel, Discipline, follows Christina, a young writer and former painter grappling with the psychological aftermath of a formative affair with her art professor, Richard. Set against the backdrop of a book tour for her own autofictional novel, the narrative uses Christina’s observations of art—ranging from Helen Frankenthaler to Edward Hopper—to slowly peel back the layers of a relationship defined by power imbalances and predatory mentorship.
Drawing on Pham’s own background as an art critic and her experiences at the Yale School of Art, the book serves as a sharp critique of the art world’s romanticization of the teacher-student dynamic. It explores how institutional structures and personal traumas can stall a creative career, ultimately questioning whether an artist can ever truly reclaim their agency after being shaped by the influence of a powerful, older figure.