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Second Place

By: Rachel Cusk
Narrated by: Kate Fleetwood
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Publisher's Summary

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. Over the course of one hot summer, 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 between our internal and external worlds. With its examination of the possibility that art can both save and destroy us, Second Place is deeply affirming of the human soul, while grappling with its darkest demons.
©2021 Rachel Cusk (P)2021 Faber Audio
Family Life Fiction Literary Fiction Metaphysical & Visionary
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What listeners say about Second Place

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Audible.com.au reviews

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Profile Image for Lyn

Cusk, as always, is brilliant

The novel is excellent. The reader, and the different voices she allocates, however, bring too much “personality” to the various characters. This is particularly a problem for the ‘L” character. A chief delight of the Cuskian world is its coolness, its distance and precision. The reader’s interpretation is somewhat melodramatic and interferes with this.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars
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Profile Image for Robert Franken

Rumination to the level of art form.

Cathartic rumination with lovely turns of phrases describing the tricky aspects of existence. Very dramatic Audible reading, a bit OTT for me.

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Profile Image for Anonymous User

Wonderful thank you

I related to this book so much there was so much meaning and subtlety in so few words. I’m sure I will listen to this again and again.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Profile Image for Shams Rahman

maybe the best book I've ever read

such a beautiful work. so deeply moving and quotable, I will be thinking of ideas put forth in this book forever. it's greatness exceeds definition.

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    2 out of 5 stars
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Profile Image for Aoife

Ugggh

I know that people are raving about this book but I don’t understand why.
The narrator is whiny and boring.
I kept waiting for some amazing insight into life or relationship or the human condition. If it happened, it passed me by. Don’t bother downloading it.
And who is Jeffers?

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Profile Image for uma

Wasn’t into it

Not sure if it’s the times but found it hard to invest in the story. Characters were not very likeable and nothing much seemed to happen. The narration was a laugh - but I don’t think that was intended.

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In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.