Reviews

The Second Cut by Louise Welsh

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leelah's review

4.0

3,5*

So, I know that it wasn't necessary for me to read [b:The Cutting Room|46025|The Cutting Room|Louise Welsh|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1388947595l/46025._SY75_.jpg|1246358] in order to follow The Second Cut, but I wanted to. There is such a heaviness to that twenty years gap, especially because if there is anything I can say about TCR from this perspective is that it's very much a product of its time.
-I'll start with the most obvious thing: In afterword, Welsh explains how she wrote TCR because she was enraged by Keep the Clause Campaign. So, yes, Rilke was a homosexual protagonist by design and sure, that anger is palpable in her words. Reader is in Rilke's head and you are supposed to be bothered by the ways he has to go around meeting men. And to be fair, she put the onus on legislation, on skewed or wrong beliefs of homosexuality some people share, not just the violence toward them (which is more a consequence of beforementioned) to show that. Twenty years later, many battles for same sex couples have been won, but there is still place for improvement. And Welsh still has a thing or two to show through Rilke. This book opens with a gay wedding and reading them back to back only emphasises what a staggering difference it is. Different time and Rilke faces different challenges, only Rose stays fabulous.
-But when I say that TCR is a book that's very much the product of the time it was written in, I also mean that in every other way book was following a trend, a noir cliche if you please. Sex intermixed with violence cloaks around protagonist's life and crime he investigates. He's mostly apathetic, there is no happy ending nor a completely satisfying answer to the mystery at the centre. Slurs, gay panic, sexual risk behaviour that are not a staple in mystery books these days. The Second Cut was was an improvement in many ways, but particularly in Rilke's characterization. He has mellowed a lot and he's not as cynical as before. In book #1 we were told Rilke cares about what happened to the girl in the picture, but I never actually believed it was because of her- it's that faceless female victim you know nothing about while you get to know everything about the bad guy (now that's the trope of noir we can leave behind). Rilke was doing it just because, or even worse: because dancing with danger was exciting, because he is so edgy and troubled. And that was more boring and predictable to me than anything else. In book #2 Rilke can't explain why he's pursuing what happened to Jojo considering their relationship, but you realize he cares. It's basically the same reason, but this time I actually believe it. Jojo is a person, imperfect and annoying, but somebody cared. You see, Welsh didn't change Rilke: he is still someone who's not entirely good or bad. His sex life still leads to questionable choices, but in this one Welsh made a better balance to show him being a risk -taker (grindr) as opposed to being reckless he arguably was in TCR. His friendship with Rose is deeper. Rilke in TCR considers a very young male prostitute, Rilke in TSC reluctantly steps into loose mentorship role. I am not sure if the change was a result of Rilke being older or Welsh improving her writing, but I can say I liked Rilke in TSC considerably more.
-And speaking of writing, let's be clear: The quality was always there. But, in my honest opinion, Welsh is actually a better writer now. There is no that many cultural references, the story is more polished, the dialogue snappier. While TCR was Rilke showing graphic pictures and asking uncomfortable questions between having very pearl-clutching sex life, this one actually has a stronger mystery element. Essentially, we are following two threads: one is Rilke wanting to know how Jojo died and the other is, once again, murky situation behind house clearance Bowery is hired for. Both mysteries are engaging and keep your attention until they finally merge in culmination scene. I loved the intricacies of auction house business and I potential for mystery when Rilke digs into history behind furniture or various collections of house owners.
All in all, this was a good read. And yes, I didn't have to read [b:The Cutting Room|46025|The Cutting Room|Louise Welsh|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1388947595l/46025._SY75_.jpg|1246358] but I am glad I did because it made me enjoy this book and Welsh's writing more.

I would like to thank Netgalley, Cannongate Books and Louise Welsh for an advance copy of The Second Cut. All opinions are my own.

ceejcook's review against another edition

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dark mysterious sad fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

dgrachel's review

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dark mysterious slow-paced

2.25

While I thought there were some interesting twists, I hated all of the characters. The only saving grace for this book was the audiobook narrator-Alan Cumming.