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Creation Lake
Creation Lake: A Novel | Rachel Kushner
"Creation Lake is a novel about a freelance agent, a 34-year-old American woman of ruthless tactics and bold opinions and clean beauty, who is sent to do dirty work in France. "Sadie Smith" is how the narrator introduces herself to her lover, to the rural commune of French subversives on whom she is keeping tabs, and to the reader. We never learn her real name. Sadie has met her lover, Lucien, a young and well-born Parisian, by "cold bump"- making him believe the encounter was accidental. And like everyone she chooses to interact with, Lucien is useful to her, used by her. Sadie operates on strategy and dissimulation, based on what her "contacts," shadowy figures in business and government, instruct. First, these contacts want her to incite provocation. Then they want more. In this region of centuries-old farms and ancient caves, Sadie becomes entranced by a mysterious figure named Bruno Lacombe, a mentor to the young activists, who lives in a vast network of underground caves on his daughter's land and communicates only by email. Bruno believes that the path to emancipation from what ails modern life is not revolt, but a return to the ancient past before civilization. Just as Sadie is certain she's the seductress and puppet master of those whom she surveils, Bruno Lacombe is seducing her with his ingenious counter-histories, his artful laments, his own tragic story. Written in short, vaulting sections, Rachel Kushner's rendition of "noir" is taut, propulsive, and dazzling. Creation Lake is Kushner's finest achievement yet as a novelist, a work of high art, high comedy, keen insights, and unforgettable pleasure. From Rachel Kushner on the title: My character Bruno refers to "a deep cistern of voices, the lake of our creation" - meaning all of human history, the whole struggle in which chains of civilizations try to figure out how to live. He believes he can hear these voices underground. To me, "Creation Lake" suggests intrigue. Creation of what? In Sadie's case, a persona, a feint, a manipulation. But also in her case, the creation possibly of her own soul"--
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charl08
Creation Lake: A Novel | Rachel Kushner
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Where are we this? Update please...

🤣

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Lesliereadsalot
Creation Lake: A Novel | Rachel Kushner
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Bailedbailed

100 pages of this book was enough for me. Long rambling passages about Neanderthal life, interspersed with witty dialogue from Sadie who seems to be in the midst of a long term spy operation. I didn‘t stick around to find out as I have too many other books calling me.

CatLass007 #HailTheBail! Litsy taught me that I don‘t have to finish every book I start. #HailTheBail! 1w
Lesliereadsalot When I‘m getting nowhere with a book and I check Litsy ratings and see 57%, I feel totally justified in giving up! @CatLass007 1w
Lesliereadsalot You got farther than I did! @Chelsea.Poole 1w
Chelsea.Poole I agree! I finished it but it didn‘t do much for me either! 7d
23 likes4 comments
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BC_Dittemore
Creation Lake: A Novel | Rachel Kushner
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Pickpick

A lot can be said about Creation Lake, mostly good, some meh. But what I would like to point out that I‘m not sure I‘ve seen yet, is how prudently Kushner portrays a person spiraling out of control. Not once is there mention of Sadie feeling this way, but it‘s obvious in her drinking, sexual impulsivity, the ghost of her previous job, etc. Kushner plays with a lot of tropes here, successfully I might add, which might be one factor to her success.

Suet624 Interesting thought. 2w
14 likes1 comment
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charl08
Creation Lake: A Novel | Rachel Kushner
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Ick.

AlaMich Yeah that‘s gross. 2w
29 likes1 comment
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perfectlywinged
Creation Lake: A Novel | Rachel Kushner
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I guess this is a spy novel but really I‘m just enjoying being on Sadie‘s snarky head and the lengthy emails from Bruno about pre history.

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Jen2
Creation Lake: A Novel | Rachel Kushner
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Pickpick

I‘m not sure I understand this one. Still thinking about it.

Ruthiella I love thinking about this one too. 2w
Megabooks Same. 2w
61 likes1 stack add2 comments
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ChrisBohjalian
Creation Lake: A Novel | Rachel Kushner
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Yes, I loved Creation Lake.

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mdemanatee
Creation Lake: A Novel | Rachel Kushner
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Panpan

The most compelling part of this book is its first personal POV from a cocky and flawed private-sector spy. The writing is skilled and it obscures everything interesting behind false erudition. It takes something that could be action packed and seemingly, falsely, believes that this action would make it less literary. Instead, we are left with philosophical ponderings that don‘t add anything.

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Addison_Reads
Creation Lake: A Novel | Rachel Kushner
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Pickpick

##HauntedShelf @PuddleJumper #HexesandCrows @Catsandbooks

This one was a low pick for me. While I really love Kushner's writing, there were parts of this plot that felt out of place to me. In the end, it mostly came together for me, and there are sections in this book that I just absolutely loved.

This author is definitely not for everyone, but I am a fan and will continue to read her books.

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Ruthiella
Creation Lake: A Novel | Rachel Kushner
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Pickpick

I get that Kushner isn‘t for everyone, but she‘s definitely for me. I loved this book about a former US covert operator who‘s now free lance and on a gentle downward spiral. In her assignment to infiltrate a group of environmentalists in France, she falls under the influence of one the commune‘s mentors who is obsessed with Neanderthals. A thought provoking and entertaining blend of facts and fiction.

Lesliereadsalot Got this one coming. Glad you liked it! 1mo
Ruthiella @Lesliereadsalot I totally connect with her style. 1mo
BkClubCare Think it will hit the TOB LL? I am starting to think about the Tourney 🤣 4w
Ruthiella @BkClubCare I would bet good money that it will make the longlist. The ToB is how I discovered Kushner, BTW. 😅 4w
BkClubCare @Ruthiella 👍 I have started to stalk the newsfeeds for “best of” 2024s. Want to get to 4w
62 likes2 stack adds5 comments
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ChrisBohjalian
Creation Lake: A Novel | Rachel Kushner
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A Negroni, a book, a bar? Yes, please!

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Ruthiella
Creation Lake: A Novel | Rachel Kushner
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#WhereAreYouMonday

This week finds me somewhere in the south of France 🇫🇷 trailing a possible ecoterrorist group whose leader is obsessed with Neanderthals.

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Chelsea.Poole
Creation Lake: A Novel | Rachel Kushner
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Mehso-so

I started off loving this and then got lost in all the asides. I enjoyed the l musings about Neanderthals and connections to our present world. The “thriller” part didn‘t feel thrilling but I did feel immersed in the characters lives and setting. A tough one to rate because parts of it worked for me but plot wise, I didn‘t love it like I thought I would. Did I miss something? Maybe! My boy has been sick with pneumonia and I‘ve been distracted.

Lesliereadsalot Wow! And it got so many good book reviews. I‘ll give it a try and let you know. (edited) 2mo
AmyG Hope your son is better soon. 2mo
AnnCrystal May your son recover swiftly 🙏💝. 2mo
91 likes2 stack adds3 comments
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Hooked_on_books
Creation Lake: A Novel | Rachel Kushner
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Mehso-so

This one just didn‘t work for me. It felt like 2 books glommed together, one a tepid thriller and the other a philosophical exploration of our connection to ancient hominids. Neither felt complete. I don‘t really get it.

NBA longlist, fiction

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Leftcoastzen
Creation Lake: A Novel | Rachel Kushner
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Pickpick

#Booker an odd one ,but I liked it?A bit of a thriller w/ a woman for hire infiltrating a eco-terrorist group. Kushner adds so many ideas, philosophy, anthropology, w/ the main character having a hey, I‘m just doing my job kind of attitude.The scene that recalls a character finding a dead German soldier, taking his helmet, inherited his lice was intense. I can see why people bail, many layers in this one. I thought Flamethrowers was overrated.

BarbaraBB I didn‘t like Flamethrowers indeed (not the Mars Room) and haven‘t read this one but I love your review. 2mo
Leftcoastzen @BarbaraBB 😊 thank you! 2mo
57 likes2 comments
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ImperfectCJ
Creation Lake: A Novel | Rachel Kushner
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Bailedbailed

Maybe this one is tedious because the audiobook is narrated by the author (something I don't usually prefer), or just because it feels so much like Flamethrowers in tone, and I'm not in the mood. Or maybe I'm just poised for spooky season and have no patience for anything else right now. Either way, I'm comfortable setting this one aside.

Hooked_on_books I just finished this and agree the author should not have read the audio. 2mo
50 likes2 comments
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charl08
Creation Lake: A Novel | Rachel Kushner
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Charisma does not originate inside the person called “charismatic.” It comes from the need of others to believe that special people exist.

‐----
Discuss...

Caroline2 Ohhh 😮 2mo
34 likes1 comment
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ClairesReads
Creation Lake: A Novel | Rachel Kushner
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Pickpick

I‘ve sat on writing a review on this book for a while, because while I really I liked it, I am finding it hard to explain why. Kushner is a sharp writer who knows how to mix big ideas, pointed social critique, and plot. This is quite a slippery story, nothing and no one is quite as it seems. A really enjoyable read for me, commanding of my attentive and propulsive although I can‘t really say why.

BarbaraBB Intriguing! 2mo
39 likes3 stack adds1 comment
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Deblovestoread
Creation Lake: A Novel | Rachel Kushner
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#BookerShortList has been announced. The good news is I have read 4.25 of the 6 and have Stone Yard Devotional on its way. The bad news is I have to finish Creation Lake and My Friends did not make the list. Glad to see James and The Safekeep on the list.

BarbaraBB I am sorry too that My Friends didn‘t make it. 2mo
jlhammar Happy about James and Safekeep. Still need to read the other 4! 2mo
squirrelbrain I‘m surprised that My Friends didn‘t make it either. 😞 2mo
Ruthiella I just listened to Eric Karl Anderson‘s reaction video on YouTube and he was also sad that My Friends didn‘t make it. I will make it the one book I do read for sure. 2mo
58 likes4 comments
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BarbaraBB
Creation Lake: A Novel | Rachel Kushner
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This hasn‘t often happened: I read 5 out of the 6 shortlisted #Booker books! And I am quite happy with it. So many strong contenders that I think I can skip the tagged book, which is the one I haven‘t read and that doesn‘t appeal to me!

Deblovestoread You did fantastic! 2mo
TheKidUpstairs I don't know why this slipped my attention before, but seeing them listed like this it is nice to see 5 of 6 are by female authors! 2mo
Cathythoughts Well done 👍🏻 2mo
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Leniverse They shortlisted the five books I have read! 😂 My next one up wasn't shortlisted though, so I guess I can't claim predictive powers. 2mo
BarbaraBB @TheKidUpstairs That‘s cool! I didn‘t notice that either! 2mo
BarbaraBB @Leniverse 😂😂 I didn‘t read many more either. I guess we just chose the right ones this time! 2mo
jlhammar Curious to see what I make of Creation Lake. It will be my first Kushner. I was hoping we‘d get a US pub date for Stone Yard, but nothing yet. Guess I need to get a Blackwell‘s order placed! 2mo
Jas16 I have read 4 of the 6 so I am pleased. Only The Safekeep which I have had on hold at the library since the long list came out and Stone Yard Devotional which I think is not yet out in the US. 2mo
quietlycuriouskate I read James over the weekend: very happy to see him short-listed. Still looking forward to my library holds for The Safekeep and Stone Yard Devotional. I liked Held and Orbital well enough but wouldn't rate them as outstanding. Curious about Creation Lake. Still planning on reading those that didn't make the shortlist but I'm not in any hurry. 🙂 2mo
kspenmoll @jlhammar I did go through Blackwell‘s for Stone Yard- do not have it yet. 2mo
squirrelbrain Great that 5 are females authors! Barbara, you could always try the start of Creation Lake when we‘re at Gladstone‘s- see what you think. @Leniverse - my offer of borrowing my Kindle to read CL at Gladstone‘s still stands - I‘ll be bringing the Kindle but likely not reading from it myself. 2mo
LeeRHarry Naturally very happy that Stone Yard Devotional made the list 😁 I have only read the shortlist once when Shuggie Bain won and don‘t really intend to do so again but will most likely read the winner. 😊 (edited) 2mo
AnneCecilie I had only read 4 of the Longlisted books, so happy about 2 making the shortlist, but surprised that My Friends didn‘t make it. Since the announcement of the Longlist, my library has gotten all the shortlisted books, so then I‘ll give everyone a chance, it‘s som much easier to bail on library books 2mo
BarbaraBB @Jas16 You‘ll have two good ones waiting for you eventually! 2mo
BarbaraBB @squirrelbrain I might take you up on that offer, thanks ! 2mo
sarahbarnes Amazing work!! 2mo
BarbaraBB @LeeRHarry Yes, I can see why 🇦🇺! The winner often isn‘t my favorite and I didn‘t like Shuggie Bain 🤷🏻‍♀️. I loved Stone Yard and the Safekeep! So I‘d read that one of if I were you 😀 2mo
Leniverse @squirrelbrain Thanks, yes I doubt my library hold will come in anytime soon. Probably lucky if I get it this year! So I'll probably take you up on that offer! 2mo
Graywacke You chose wisely, B. I hope Kushner doesn‘t win. ☺️ I‘m reading James. Will get to Orbital and Held. 2mo
BarbaraBB @Graywacke Kushner could very well win, it remains the Booker Prize after all 😉, but I‘d be happy for all others to win the prize, even though I didn‘t like James or Held as much as earlier work by their authors. 2mo
BookishTrish Tied! 2mo
JenP I liked creation lake. Thought the shortlist was pretty strong so I‘m happy with it. Orbital was my least favorite on the list but I get why it made the list and I‘m not unhappy it‘s on there 2mo
Suet624 @Jas16 somehow my Stone Yard Devotional is ready and waiting for me in my small Vermont library. I wonder how they have it if it‘s not available in the US. 2mo
Jas16 @Suet624 That is fantastic and unexpected. I ended up ordering a copy from the UK in a moment of weakness. 2mo
BarbaraBB @Jas16 You‘ll probably think it worth the money! And lucky you @Suet624 ! 2mo
Suet624 @Jas16 I live very close to Canada. It‘s about an hour and a half away. I have this image of our librarians driving up there to buy the book and bringing it back here. 😊 2mo
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Graywacke
Creation Lake: A Novel | Rachel Kushner
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Mehso-so

The book that isn't a thriller. But what is it? A spy for big agriculture in France infiltrates a radical commune, and breaks into the emails account of a radical who lives in a cave and tries imagine Neanderthal life instead the destructive contemporary world. The spy narrates, has some nice wine and decent sex. But i thought it just didn‘t really go anywhere or do anything. So, so-so.

#booker #booker2024 #longlist

Suet624 Yeah, I think I‘m skipping this one. 2mo
Deblovestoread I paused it. Might pick it back up if it‘s shortlisted. 2mo
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BarbaraBB I am now doubting I‘ll pick it up even if it makes the shortlist! (edited) 2mo
Graywacke @Suet624 there are better books 🙂 2mo
Graywacke @Deblovestoread I struggled through the middle. Nothing doing. It picks back up eventually. 2mo
Graywacke @BarbaraBB it could even win. 🙂 😳 2mo
BarbaraBB Chances are high I suppose 🤦🏻‍♀️ 2mo
52 likes8 comments
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Jas16
Creation Lake: A Novel | Rachel Kushner
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Mehso-so

My 6th book from the TOB long list and my first by Kushner. There is no denying that she is very smart; I just couldn‘t bring myself to care about anything in this book. Not for me but getting rave reviews elsewhere.

BarbaraBB I haven‘t heard anyone really loving this book 2mo
Jas16 @BarbaraBB I have read some professional reviews that seemed to really like it but maybe I read too many Goodreads reviews too. 2mo
AmyG Oh wow. I thought this would have been good. Question for you- Have you read The God of the Woods - Liz Moore??? (edited) 2mo
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Jas16 @AmyG I haven‘t. I tend not to read thrillers. They make me nervous. Do you think I should make an exception? 2mo
AmyG It‘s not really a thriller….more of a mystery plus a dysfunctional, affluent family. If you are interested….I‘d love to send you a copy! 2mo
Jas16 @AmyG That is so kind of you. I always trust your opinion and have seen all of the Litsy love so I would definitely be interested in reading it. 2mo
AmyG Wonderful! I will send it out to you Tuesday. I have been passing this around to all my friends who have really enjoyed it. So hope you do, too! 😘 2mo
AmyG And updating. Stuck home today, stomach virus…then away tomorrow. So I will mail next week. 2mo
Jas16 @AmyG oh no!! I hope you feel better soon. Please even think about it. There is no rush at all. 2mo
Jas16 @AmyG The book arrived today. Thank you so much. 2mo
AmyG Wonderful. Let me know what you think of it when you read it. I hope you enjoy it! 2mo
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Megabooks
Creation Lake: A Novel | Rachel Kushner
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Pickpick

I finished this #nbalonglist choice today, and it‘s definitely a “wtf did I just read, but I like it” book. A woman is sent to infiltrate a group of eco-extremists in Southern France. Honestly, that main plot was just okay, but when the MC gets into emails by the anthropologist who inspires the group — that was fascinating! Stuff about Neanderthals, the Cugot Rebellion, and Polynesian seafaring. Enthralling, but really out there!

Hooked_on_books I had decided not to read this before the longlist came out. 😂 Now I‘m going to give it a whirl and your review has me intrigued! At least I know it won‘t be boring! 2mo
BarbaraBB I keep postponing this one. I am not much of a Kushner fan. The emails sound right up your scientific background alley ❤️ but I am not sure they‘re for me. Maybe if the book makes the Booker shortlist 🤷🏻‍♀️ 2mo
Megabooks @Hooked_on_books I‘m really curious what you‘ll think of the addition of all this info. Made it a lot more interesting to me! 2mo
Megabooks @BarbaraBB I‘m not sure you‘ll like it either 💜😘, but it was fascinating for me! 2mo
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Sara_Planz
Creation Lake: A Novel | Rachel Kushner
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Pickpick

This one is a mix of environmentalism, spy thriller, and satire, but it also delves into anthropology and philosophy, which I found extremely interesting. The political intrigue also kept the plot moving nicely. This is a creative novel, and I can see why it landed on many award lists.

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Graywacke
Creation Lake: A Novel | Rachel Kushner
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Arrived yesterday, started today. This will be my sixth on the #booker #booker2024 #longlist

Ruthiella Have you read Kushner before? 3mo
Graywacke @Ruthiella No. This is my first 3mo
BarbaraBB I haven‘t heard much about this one yet. Very curious what you‘ll think! 3mo
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TheKidUpstairs I'm reading this one as well. Not entirely sure how I feel about it yet, but I've only just started. 3mo
Graywacke @BarbaraBB @TheKidUpstairs It reminds me of music where they intentionally overwhelm the amplifiers - although it might otherwise be a standard styles. I‘m only on page 35 🤷🏻‍♂️ (edited) 3mo
BarbaraBB I needed a lot of concentration to read the two books I read by her and in hindsight I wonder if that was worth it. So I am a bit worried about this and will follow your thoughts closely. It will probably make the shortlist 😉 @TheKidUpstairs (edited) 3mo
43 likes1 stack add6 comments
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Deblovestoread
Creation Lake: A Novel | Rachel Kushner
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#ReadYourKindle

While I‘d like to get to them all I definitely will get the tagged read first and go from there.

@CBee

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JenP
Creation Lake: A Novel | Rachel Kushner
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As someone who dislikes terrine, this makes me laugh. #booker2024 10/13

I‘m not very far in but I do love her writing style and humor

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squirrelbrain
Creation Lake: A Novel | Rachel Kushner
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Pickpick

#booker #longlist 12/13

An odd book, but I rather liked it. ‘Sadie Smith‘ is a spy sent in to infiltrate a group of French provocateurs. Their shady leader, Bruno, sends emails to the group which Sadie becomes fascinated by. These emails are rather an excuse for the author to expound on topics such as pre-history, anthropology and philosophy but weirdly I didn‘t feel talked down to, unlike The Alternatives. It kept me hooked all the way ⬇️

squirrelbrain …through, until the rather disappointing ending. (What is it with book endings at the moment?!) Hence why it‘s not higher up in my shortlist, which will follow soon. (edited) 3mo
BarbaraBB Great review. I am no fan of Kushner so not sure if I‘ll read this one. 3mo
squirrelbrain It‘s the first of hers that I‘ve read @BarbaraBB and I probably would try more, based on this. 3mo
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rmaclean4 Looking forward to your short list. 3mo
BarbaraBB That is encouraging! If you want to read more, everybody except me loves 3mo
Graywacke Very encouraging. I haven‘t read Kushner before 3mo
Leniverse This sounds interesting, but I am so done with ambiguous endings (if that's what you're hinting at). Since I can't get it at the library I might wait and see if it makes the shortlist. 3mo
squirrelbrain Yes, rather ambiguous (again!) 🙄 @Leniverse If it makes the shortlist I‘ll bring my Kindle to Gladstone‘s and you can read it then! (edited) 3mo
Leniverse Ooh, that would be fab! ❤️ 3mo
TheKidUpstairs Do the emails ever merge into the narrative in a cohesive way? I'm enjoying Sadie's sections, but I'm finding the emails very off-putting, and I can't help but skim through them. Debating whether this one might be a bail for me. 3mo
squirrelbrain No, they don‘t, not really @TheKidUpstairs 😬. It‘s more of the same throughout the book than a non-ending (again!) so if you‘re not liking it now, it doesn‘t really change. 3mo
TheKidUpstairs @squirrelbrain good to know, thanks! 2mo
67 likes1 stack add12 comments
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squirrelbrain
Creation Lake: A Novel | Rachel Kushner
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Hooray! The penultimate book that I needed from the Booker Longlist. 🎉

Only the Richard Powers to get now, but I requested that from NG back in May so I doubt I‘ll get it st this late stage. 🤷‍♀️

#booker #longlist #bookerlonglist

jlhammar Wow, that‘s awesome! 4mo
BarbaraBB Lucky you! 4mo
Chelsea.Poole 👏 4mo
55 likes3 comments
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Rhondareads
Creation Lake: A Novel | Rachel Kushner
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Perfect Monday book mail Creation Lake by Rachel Kushner one of my favorite authors.Thanks @ScribnerBooks for my copy.📚📚📚

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Cathyloves2read
Creation Lake: A Novel | Rachel Kushner
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Mehso-so

Thank you, Goodreads, for this ARC. The best part about this book is that I learned a lot about the stars, the sea and early prehistoric life. I found the story very hard to follow. I‘m not sure who the American “spy” was out to get. I‘m also not sure why she was perusing them. Things just got very complicated at times, for me anyhow.