Rachel Cusk Reads “Project”

In 'Kudos', Rachel Cusk completes her groundbreaking Outline trilogy with a novel of unsettling power. The story follows Faye, a woman writer, as she navigates a Europe in flux, encountering various individuals at a literary festival. The novel delves into the tension between truth and representation, the dynamics of relationships, and the role of women in society. Set against the backdrop of Brexit, it explores the nature of freedom, identity, and the human condition through highly abstract and introspective dialogue. Cusk's work is characterized by its non-conventional narrative style, focusing on the contemplation of life journeys and the passage of time.

Parade is an experimental novel by Rachel Cusk that challenges traditional narrative structures. The book is divided into four chapters titled 'The Stuntman', 'The Midwife', 'The Diver', and 'The Spy'. It follows the lives of several artists, all referred to as 'G', who embody different genders, locations, and artistic mediums. The novel delves into the insufficiency and brutality of the artistic act, the violence of representation, and the collective and social influences on individual identity. Cusk's unique use of language and narrative style blurs the lines between characters and explores themes such as death, family legacy, and the search for meaning in art and life.