Natasha Apont is a character from the novel National City by Edith Grossman. Ms. Apont works for a company that advertises its use of body creams as a way to keep men younger looking. This company also has access to many other kinds of customers, including those with different nationalities and various employment statuses. The novel is told from the point of view of the woman working for this marketing firm and her relationship with her own Russian partner, a much older man named Alexey, who lives in the US.
The novel starts out as a friendship story involving a beautiful blond named Natalya, the Apont mother’s first employee, who has worked for them for several years. She eventually falls in love with a young Dutch expat named Maxim who manages to impress Natalya’s husband, unaware of her feelings. Soon after, however, their plans to marry start falling apart when Maxim refuses to give their home in Florida to Natalya on a blind faith that he’ll make it to Russia before the wedding. When they both learn that Maxim’s family is American (and that his wife is Russian) and that his parents are in America on vacation, Natalya and Alexey finally agree to marry and go to Florida.
The novel ends with a shocking revelation that throws the reader into shock and even raises some disturbing questions about the management of public perception of relationships between foreigners and Americans. The novel also portrays Alexey as a kind and loving father, who provide the stability and strength that most fathers in America would be unable to provide. However, it is clear that he still holds a place in the company’s plans because he continues to act as the demure wife’s lover and remain committed to Natalya despite her obvious attraction to another man. In the end, the truth of what really happened in Florida comes to light when the other employees in the office to find out that Natalya did indeed end their marriage and drive Alexey into a coma.