'Second Place' by Rachel Cusk

Goodreads Blurb: A woman invites a famed artist to visit the remote coastal region where she lives, in the belief that his vision will penetrate the mystery of her life and landscape. His provocative presence provides the frame for a study of female fate and male privilege, of the geometries of human relationships, and of the struggle to live morally in the intersecting spaces of our internal and external worlds.

FTC disclaimer: I was not sent this product. I am not affiliated with the companies mentioned. All opinions are my own.

About the Author: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/46051.Rachel_Cusk

Overall Rating: 2.5/5

Yes, Cusk has written a very unique novel. But I didn't really enjoy reading it. The narrator/protagonist is such a huge over thinker, and it took quite a lot of energy to understand her thought processes and not just drift off whilst reading it! So I found it pretty dull.

Not much actually happened; Cusk focused more on atmosphere. In that way it reminds me of 'Call Me by Your Name' by Andre Aciman (although it is a quieter story). In other words, it just felt like Cusk was trying too hard to make this novel have some profound message.

Review written on 11/10/2021

Book Discovery: Recommended to me by one of my English Lit A-Level teachers.