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Kudos
Kudos: A Novel | Rachel Cusk
38 posts | 25 read | 36 to read
Rachel Cusk, the award-winning and critically acclaimed author of Outline and Transit, completes the transcendent literary trilogy with Kudos. A woman writer visits a Europe in flux, where questions of personal and political identity are rising to the surface and the trauma of change is opening up new possibilities of loss and renewal. Within the rituals of literary culture, Faye finds the human story in disarray amid differing attitudes toward the public enactment of the creative persona, and she begins to identify among the people she meets a tension between truth and representation that causes her to consider questions of acclaim, justice, and the ultimate value of suffering. The third in the trilogy that began with Outline, Rachel Cusks Kudos takes as its theme the relationship between pain and honor, and investigates the moral nature of success as a precept of both art and living.
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TheEllieMo
Kudos | Rachel Cusk
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I am posting one book per day from my extensive to-be-read collection. No description and providing no reason for wanting to read it, I just do. Some will be old, some will be new. Don‘t judge me - I have a lot of books. Join in if you want!

#ABookADay2023

Pinta Read it! 6mo
23 likes1 comment
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AnneCecilie
Kudos | Rachel Cusk
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The final book in the Outline trilogy

#AlphabetGame #LetterK

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks 👌🏻📚🙌🏻 2y
merelybookish I loved this trilogy! 2y
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Taylor
Kudos: A Novel | Rachel Cusk
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Pickpick

Can we pull back a bit on declaring this to be a timeless, classic series? That first book is incredible but, for me, “Transit” was stagnant compared to it.

But when discussing this book alone, rather than the series:

“Kudos” is more of a return to form. There were some seriously fascinating conversations, rich with insight, both caustic and thoughtful.

And that ending—nailed it. Phenomenal.

spinedestroyer Oooh. I regret returning this to the library without reading. It has such a good cover too, the best of the bunch. 4y
Taylor @spine_destroyer Yeah these covers are really good. I like all three of the redesigns, I think they‘re way better than the first versions. (edited) 4y
7 likes2 comments
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DannyOlda
Kudos: A Novel | Rachel Cusk
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Pickpick

I finally got around to this one. I read, I think on LitHub, that Jeff Vandermeer recommended this as a beach read and it got me to finally start it. Now that I've read it, it totally makes sense. Kudos is somehow an effortless read without sacrificing it's depth. Great writing.

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AnneCecilie
Kudos: A Novel | Rachel Cusk
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Pickpick

The final book in the trilogy and just as good as the first two. In this novel the protagonist is on the plane for a literary conference, and at the conference. The novel focuses on relationships, the dynamics and how they work and maybe more importantly how they don‘t work. There‘s also a lot of talk of litterateur and writing, and these topics are probably every book lovers dream.

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AnneCecilie
Kudos: A Novel | Rachel Cusk
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Next up.

The Norwegian transition was published earlier this month. I loved the first two books in this trilogy and considering my last reads, I really need something good now.

GatheringBooks i have the entire trilogy, too, waiting in my shelves to be read! 🧚🏼‍♀️ 5y
AnneCecilie @GatheringBooks I love how Cusk manage to look at so many of life‘s big questions within so few pages. If possible, I would definitely move these books up on the tbr. 5y
59 likes2 comments
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HardcoverHearts
Kudos: A Novel | Rachel Cusk
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I was blessed today with a rare private event with Rachel Cusk, on her tour for the paperback release. Our small talk was quite illuminating. She mentioned how the blowback from her first two books was so intense because of the rage evident in the content and yet this series has the exact same material- but the narrator is “passive” this time & it‘s a critical success. But she purposefully constructed it for that effect. Kudos, indeed, Ms Cusk!

DivineDiana Fantastic! 5y
merelybookish Wow! Lucky you! I love that trilogy! 5y
HardcoverHearts @merelybookish Believe me- I know it! To be able to have a conversation with her in a small group was a gift. 🥰 5y
28 likes4 comments
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DannyOlda
Kudos: A Novel | Rachel Cusk
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Speaking of signed copies...I didn't realize the copy of Kudos that FSG sent was a signed edition

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DannyOlda
Kudos: A Novel | Rachel Cusk
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I just got an email that I won this! Wow, that's two book wins in a month (the first was from LitHub)! My TBR shelf is going to get really crowded in 4 to 6 weeks.

TheSpineView Congrats! 5y
saresmoore So awesome! 5y
fleeting So jealous! 5y
8 likes3 comments
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merelybookish
Kudos: A Novel | Rachel Cusk
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I never think of myself as a #series reader but I enjoyed all of these installments. #bookishrewind2018.

batsy I'm thinking it'll be a nice idea to compare and contrast the Cusk and Knausgård books! But seeing the size of the Knausgård books I might need a couple years 😂 5y
merelybookish @batsy for sure! You have a about 300 pages.of Knaussgaard for every 100 pages of Cusk...because men. 🙄 5y
merelybookish @batsy Yes, 2018 sure brought that home. And really my 3:1 ratio is off. He's got 6 books and Cusk wrote 3. His are all at least 400 pages and hers are about 300. So whatever that works out to...it's a lot more Knaussgaard. 5y
79 likes4 comments
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Beckys_Books
Kudos: A Novel | Rachel Cusk
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Times Critics‘ Top Books of 2018 https://nyti.ms/2E2Pfse

Haven't read the article yet and probably haven't read most of the books either. Thought I'd share anyway.

Ruthiella I love year end lists like this! 5y
58 likes1 comment
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ReadingEnvy
Kudos: A Novel | Rachel Cusk
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Pickpick

I have had people telling me I would like Cusk for a while now, but it took the Tournament of Books longlist to push me over into giving it a try. This book won't be for everyone. Not a lot happens and it's full of philosophical conversations with acquaintances and near strangers, so of course I liked it quite a bit.

Now I need to go back and read Outline and Transit (it is unlike me to read a book 3 of anything before reading prior books.)

LauraBeth Your GR review makes me want to read this. 😀 5y
CarolynM I've heard a lot of good things about this trilogy. Planning to read Outline before the year is out. 5y
Lindy I could feel Cusk‘s writing in Outline changing the way my brain thinks about fiction. Subversive is the best way. I really liked Transit also and look forward to Kudos, which I‘ve been saving as a treat. 5y
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ReadingEnvy
Kudos: A Novel | Rachel Cusk
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Heyyyyyy #jacaranda

saresmoore Of course. 5y
Lindy 🌸💜 5y
57 likes2 comments
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AlexGeorge
Kudos: A Novel | Rachel Cusk
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Pickpick

Just as mesmerizing as the first two books in the trilogy. Cusk is a genius. She has achieved the near-impossible, and produced something wholly original. What an accomplishment. I can‘t wait to read all three books again.

readingjedi I love that cover! 5y
18 likes1 comment
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AlexGeorge
Kudos: A Novel | Rachel Cusk
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I‘ve been saving this one for ages. Simply adored the first two books in this trilogy. I just started this today but so far it‘s as breathtaking as it‘s predecessors.

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BarbaraBB
Kudos: A Novel | Rachel Cusk
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Mehso-so

I haven‘t read the other books in this trilogy so I don‘t know how to compare them but I am not sure what to think of it. Basically it‘s people talking to the narrator, who isn‘t much of a character herself. She is an author on tour and everyone shares their stories with her, even those who are supposed to be interviewing her. That construction is a bit tiresome even though the stories people tell her are fantastic and intimate.

Riveted_Reader_Melissa Great photo!!! 5y
Kristelh I read the 2 in the trilogy. Don‘t remember much. 5y
LeahBergen This is an amazing photo! 👏🏻👏🏻 5y
See All 6 Comments
Kalalalatja Sorry you didn‘t like the book, but the pic is awesome 👌 5y
Reggie Lol, another so-so review that makes me want to read the book. 5y
BarbaraBB @Reggie Do! It was actually between a pick and a so-so for me! 5y
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Moray_Reads
Kudos: A Novel | Rachel Cusk
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Pickpick

It takes real talent to write a thoughtful, engrossing novel that is a series of conversations. Our narrator is a conduit, relating the stories others tell of themselves. These stories within stories offer fascinating perspectives on the relationship between narrative & life & how they shape the lives of men & women. The feminist line is subtle but strong & beautifully reflects the complexities of different experiences & attitudes #goldsmithsprize

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Moray_Reads
Kudos: A Novel | Rachel Cusk
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This ☝️

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Moray_Reads
Kudos: A Novel | Rachel Cusk
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The weather is bad. I have no errands to distract me. I think it's going to be s pyjama day with my third Goldsmiths prize nominee

erzascarletbookgasm Enjoy your day. I see many beautiful books there. 😍 5y
Sace Perfect plan! 5y
Cathythoughts Such beautiful books 📚❤️ 5y
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Abailliekaras Look forward to your review! 5y
saresmoore Enjoy! 5y
Kalalalatja Sounds like the perfect day! 5y
63 likes6 comments
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Well-ReadNeck
Kudos: A Novel | Rachel Cusk
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I came to this trilogy just as the final book was published. Perfect timing!

https://wellreadneck.wordpress.com/2018/09/21/hooked-on-a-series-the-outline-tri...

emilyhaldi Lol, I bought one of these from book outlet last week not realizing it's part of a trilogy 🤭 6y
Well-ReadNeck @emilyhaldi 😂 yup. This is definitely one you want to read in order. 6y
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DreesReads
Kudos: A Novel | Rachel Cusk
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Panpan

Kudos is the 3rd in a series, but was chosen for ToB Summer 2018. I admit I like plot-driven novels. This is not. Faye, a divorced and remarried author, travels to a literary festival in Italy. We then get to read about the people she meets as they tell us/she presents their lives. That‘s it. I would rather read a novel about any of those characters‘ lives. This really has no plot. Took me 8 days to read 232 pages! #tournamentofbooks

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AlizaApp
Kudos: A Novel | Rachel Cusk
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Pickpick

Really loved the third in this series. I feel like I somehow understand Faye even less, or that she is more of an enigma than ever, but the whole novel passes in a dreamlike state that I found entrancing. I wished there was more.

CouronneDhiver Cool nails 💅🏽 6y
52 likes1 stack add2 comments
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DreesReads
Kudos: A Novel | Rachel Cusk
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Starting this right now, bedtime is in 5 minutes 🤣😜 #tournamentofbooks #summerreadingchallenge

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merelybookish
Kudos: A Novel | Rachel Cusk
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Me: I finished the last book in a series
Daughter: YOU read a series? What was it about?
Me: Uh.....a woman who has conversations.
Daughter: Sounds awesome.

Actually, it was awesome. I love this series, although Kudos was probably the weakest of the three, imo. And the ending disappointed me at first. And then I realized it was kind of brilliant.

So yeah, Rachel Cusk is pretty amazing.

jhod I've only read Transit - should I go back before i go forward?! I loved Transit 6y
merelybookish @jhod I guess I'd go back and read Outline first. It's not really about plot, so I don't think it matters a whole lot. But I did feel she was revisiting a few things in Kudos which were introduced in the earlier books. I actually would like to read it again, to see how it works as a whole. 6y
kspenmoll I have the first two on my TBR shelf...waiting.., 6y
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jhod Thanks, I will! 6y
vivastory I've only read the first one, but I loved it. 6y
merelybookish @kspenmoll Oh yes! We all know about that! So many good books waiting TBR! 6y
merelybookish @vivastory You should read the next two! 😉 6y
82 likes3 stack adds7 comments
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merelybookish
Kudos: A Novel | Rachel Cusk
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These two books (Rachel Cusk's Kudos and Stevie Smith's Novel on Yellow Paper) have sat together on my nightstand, waiting TBR, for a few months now.
Today I tried to decide which one to start. I opened up Kudos and found . . . a poem by Stevie Smith. 😯
So funny! I love reading coincidences!

LeahBergen Freaky! 6y
saresmoore Weird! I love it! #bookserendipity 6y
merelybookish @LeahBergen @saresmoore Yes freaky and cool! It was like a sign but just not sure a sign of what? 🤷 6y
kspenmoll Synchronicity! 6y
81 likes4 comments
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RidgewayGirl
Kudos: A Novel | Rachel Cusk
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Pickpick

Just the perfect book. Cusk examines both the literary publishing world and how the dynamics between parents affect children. I now want to go back and reread Outline.

Flaneurette I may go back and start at the beginning too, really enjoyed these 6y
BarbaraBB This will be the first of the trilogy I‘ll read so I can continue with Outline afterwards! 6y
BarbaraBB For which book did you vote in the Summer ToB, Kay? 6y
RidgewayGirl @BarbaraBB I voted for An American Marriage. Which one were you rooting for? 6y
BarbaraBB Census. But my favorite was Circe. 6y
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Augustdana
Kudos: A Novel | Rachel Cusk
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Has anyone read this apparent trilogy??!! I have outline and haven‘t read it yet, now kudos is in from the library and I‘ve got 10 days to read it. Should I do outline first???

BarbaraBB I‘ve heard you can read them separately but I haven‘t tried yet! 6y
Augustdana @BarbaraBB 👍 thanks for the info! 6y
pgh.femme I finished Outline a couple of weeks ago. It was a fairly quick read. Perhaps you could fit it in? 6y
Augustdana @pgh.femme I‘m going to attempt. I‘m a slow reader, but I‘m already on page 30 so 🤞🤞 6y
10 likes4 comments
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Proustian
Kudos: A Novel | Rachel Cusk
Pickpick

Certain themes emerge - inauthenticity, disenchantment, divorce - and yet a magical dust seems to gather around Cusk‘s narrator, so that everyone reveals their most profound, biting stories in incredible detail. I would say no other novelist compares, though I think there is a quality of ancient storytellers, like the Decameron, in the fascination with human variation. And a similar feeling of dread - and of ecstatic relief when no crisis occurs.

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MeikeReads
Kudos: A Novel | Rachel Cusk
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Pickpick

Today, Cusk's new book got a huge article in one of Germany's major newspapers, Die Zeit - and rightly so! Its protagonist Faye, a writer and divorced mother of two, takes us into Europe's literary circles, and the whole story is told from Cusk's trademark "annihilated perspective". Will #Kudos convince the #Booker judges? It certainly made the #indiebuddyreads prediction list!

BarbaraBB And it‘s one of the books for the Rooster Summer Reading Challenge! 6y
MeikeReads @BarbaraBB That's great, I hope many people will read it! 6y
Redheadrambles @Meikereads Yeah for the prediction list ! I better go on this one then ? 6y
MeikeReads @Redheadrambles There's no way around it: You got to read it!! :-) 6y
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Proustian
Kudos: A Novel | Rachel Cusk
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“Why should her photograph be accurate? So that she could be identified by the police? The whole point of her profession, she said, was that it represented an escape from reality. Besides, she preferred being that sylph with the waterfall of hair. In some part of herself, she believed that was who she still was. A degree of self-deception, she said, was an essential part of the talent for living.”

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Well-ReadNeck
Kudos: A Novel | Rachel Cusk
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A couple days late. Here are my top picks for May. All were #netgalley ARCs, so I‘ve included the publication dates.

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charl08
Kudos: A Novel | Rachel Cusk
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Pickpick

I've enjoyed all three books in the "Outline" trilogy. Thought provoking.

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charl08
Kudos: A Novel | Rachel Cusk
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What all publishers were looking for...

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Well-ReadNeck
Kudos: A Novel | Rachel Cusk
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Pickpick

The final book of the trilogy which began with Outline and continued with Transit. Usually, I am a lover of plot, but these books, while mostly devoid of plot, have an abundance of character. So smart and nuanced. By the third book this ingenious way of looking at characters and the world does begin to feel less surprising (in form), but I found all three books to be wonderful. #netgalley #netgalleyTBRattack

Soubhiville I love the cover designs. 6y
Well-ReadNeck @Soubhiville Me, too!!! Most copies of Transit are like this except blue. I love the red, especially when they are all together 6y
124 likes2 comments
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merelybookish
Kudos: A Novel | Rachel Cusk
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Thanks @BookwormAHN
1. Playing phone tag with the blinds sales guy
2. Greeting cards. New shampoo.
3. I have pre-ordered the tagged book. Super excited. (I've never pre-ordered a book before.)
4. A chocolate chunk 🍪
5. Consider yourself tagged. 😘

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emmanoble
Kudos: A Novel | Rachel Cusk
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Umm! Pretty excited over here 😍💃🏼📚 #netgalley

Stephanie-Anne Jealous! 😻😻😻 6y
ErikasMindfulShelf Awesome!! 6y
33 likes2 comments
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Liberty
Kudos: A Novel | Rachel Cusk
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Ahhhhhhhhh the final book! I may be drooling a bit. ♥️

OSChamberlain Those covers 😍😍🤤 6y
EllanaRose OMG that artwork! 6y
Kammbia1 Nice covers! 6y
batsy Lovely covers! I've been meaning to read these thanks to @merelybookish 6y
merelybookish Ooooh can't wait to read this! @batsy love this series. The anti My Struggle 6y
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merelybookish
Kudos: A Novel | Rachel Cusk
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Why is it so exciting to discover the title and cover for the next book in a series? Sure to be one of my 2018 reads!

Cinfhen New to me author! 6y
merelybookish @Cinfhen She was new to me this year! This is part of a trilogy about a woman in transition. The first is called Outline. 6y
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