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A review by honestlysean
The Bradshaw Variations by Rachel Cusk
challenging
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
this one is a bit odd for me- i was expecting to adore this book since i adored outline, however by the end of the bradshaw variations i felt a bit let down.
of course, as is customary for cusk, the prose is stunning. yet, the events which the prose discloses to us are so slow paced, anti-monumental, and, largely, devoid of urgency to provide the novel any sense of levity.
the whole novel seems to be building up to one point, one conclusion, one definitive end all— when tonie cheats on thomas, which leads to alexa’s illness — yet once this moment arrives, there feels no satisfaction. no climax. the conclusion of the books just feels so dead, so flat, it’s as though the entire novel cusk explores the points she wishes to make, but offers absolutely no insight on.
of course, as is customary for cusk, the prose is stunning. yet, the events which the prose discloses to us are so slow paced, anti-monumental, and, largely, devoid of urgency to provide the novel any sense of levity.
the whole novel seems to be building up to one point, one conclusion, one definitive end all
cusk’s only other work that i’m familiar with, outline, handles the themes of the mundanity and, thus, the poetry of every day live in a way that is much more engaging. surely i’ll read more of work even after the disappointment of this one.