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Second Place

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Second Place

By: Rachel Cusk
Narrated by: Kate Fleetwood
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About this listen

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

What listeners say about Second Place

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

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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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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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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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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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
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

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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  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

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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    2 out of 5 stars
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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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