"Why do we live so painfully in our fictions? Why do we suffer so, from the things we ourselves have invented? Do you understand it, Jeffers?"
The plot for this book seems quite simple-A woman invites a famed artist to visit a remote marshland where she lives with her husband. But with this simple plot comes interesting observations on many things- marriage and motherhood (and the sacrifices associated with both), art and its relationship with reality, gender roles, and identity. Even the title serves as an interesting topic of discussion as it too is more than what it seems.
Under 200 pages and by no means was this a quick read for me. It required a lot of focus and processing, because almost everything Rachel Cusk says is thought-provoking and quotable. Cusk's writing is sharp and excellent. I've read Outline by her as well, which I really liked. I will be picking up more of her work.
So much can be discussed and interpreted from this book. So many things going on beneath the surface. This book is partly inspired by Mabel Dodge Luhan's memoir Lorenzo in Taos which is about the time D.H. Lawrence visited her in New Mexico. I'm looking forward to reading it so that I can gain a better appreciation for Second Place.
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