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3.66 AVERAGE
3.66 AVERAGE
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is my second Rachel Cusk novel and I needed to read it to either confirm or deny my first impression.
In Second Place, our main character creates an artist retreat and becomes obsessed with an artist, starts corresponding with him, until he eventually visits. He’s very unlikeable and it’s really puzzling why she even cares about this guy. Cusk is excellent at creating characters who feel very real and flawed, with super in-depth backstories. I would like to think that I am someone who doesn’t *need* relatable or likeable characters, but this book made me realize that is not true. All in all, this is probably one of the reasons I struggled with Second Place and Outline (really unlikable characters across both).
I also felt like there is supposed to be some commentary in here about money/privilege but it was hard for me to pull out. It’s difficult to read about art without thinking about who is included and excluded in that space.
In the end, I felt the same as I did with Outline, Cusk has many interesting lines and very introspective characters that I ultimately felt “meh” about. I can appreciate what she is doing from a distance but it’s not the most enjoyable reading experience for me.
ALSO, the first note I made when I started reading this book was, “Who is Jeffers?” And let me tell you that it was so disappointing to never find out from Cusk who our main character is writing to. I kept waiting for a reveal. Another reviewer did an in-depth analysis about Mabel Dodge Luhan and DH Lawrence, to which the book is an homage, who apparently knew a poet Robinson Jeffers. I am glad the internet exists to help me puzzle my way through books that honestly just go over my head.
In Second Place, our main character creates an artist retreat and becomes obsessed with an artist, starts corresponding with him, until he eventually visits. He’s very unlikeable and it’s really puzzling why she even cares about this guy. Cusk is excellent at creating characters who feel very real and flawed, with super in-depth backstories. I would like to think that I am someone who doesn’t *need* relatable or likeable characters, but this book made me realize that is not true. All in all, this is probably one of the reasons I struggled with Second Place and Outline (really unlikable characters across both).
I also felt like there is supposed to be some commentary in here about money/privilege but it was hard for me to pull out. It’s difficult to read about art without thinking about who is included and excluded in that space.
In the end, I felt the same as I did with Outline, Cusk has many interesting lines and very introspective characters that I ultimately felt “meh” about. I can appreciate what she is doing from a distance but it’s not the most enjoyable reading experience for me.
ALSO, the first note I made when I started reading this book was, “Who is Jeffers?” And let me tell you that it was so disappointing to never find out from Cusk who our main character is writing to. I kept waiting for a reveal. Another reviewer did an in-depth analysis about Mabel Dodge Luhan and DH Lawrence, to which the book is an homage, who apparently knew a poet Robinson Jeffers. I am glad the internet exists to help me puzzle my way through books that honestly just go over my head.
more of a 3.5⭐️ it was a heavy read in the sense that it’s so philosophical and deep it’s tough to fully understand but so insightful and well written I felt like I was reading through the protagonist’s deepest thoughts
reflective
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
Complicated
sometimes it was kinda hard to keep up with but i really loved this book and they way it was written
challenging
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes