jessicaxmaria's Reviews (1.04k)

I enjoyed this fine--there were a lot of scenes and twists that I really liked--but I'm not sure it had much to say about anything. 

Rachel Cusk’s recent works are mystifying and mesmerizing in a way that lets the reader know she is in control of her slicing prose and yet she will not give way to convention for your ease. If you know me, you know I love cerebral novels that are up for interpretation, or require extra consideration. I love a book that makes me think. And however opaque PARADE may seem, I was transfixed.

PARADE likely refers to many things, from the literal parade in part 3 to the veritable procession of artists throughout the novel, each named “G.” And these Gs are all based (I believe) on real artists. I picked out Louise Bourgeois, Paula Modersohn-Becker, Eric Rohmer, and had a vague recognition of others; I’m choosing not to take to the internet yet as I let the story sink in. And while ‘story’ may be too structure-based a word for PARADE, the way Cusk tells this story telegraphs a major theme, the relationship between identity and artists (I enjoyed underlining many sentences about artists who were mothers). It navigates a lot more and in between: violence, shame, duty, marriage, family, community—and humanity in general.

After having read and loved the OUTLINE trilogy and SECOND PLACE, PARADE makes sense as an evolution of what Cusk has been seeking to accomplish. I can’t speak to what exactly that goal is, but to me it’s something akin to finding a new form. For instance, there’s a first person voice in the beginning of the book that eventually morphs into first person plural. Who are we? She’s done with the restrictions and conventions of a novel and its form, what else can be produced? It’s definitely art. And I believe it may be Cusk’s best production to date.

And so I’ll leave you with a line from PARADE, a book I know I’ll be rereading many times: “Art is the pact of individuals denying society the last word.”

Thank you to FSG books for the review copy. 

I was only two years old when the Challenger space shuttle broke apart in 1986. Yet it’s an event that I learned about growing up, and I understood as a major tragedy. When I heard there was a book released about the disaster I put it on hold at my local library in June. This was bolstered by my reading of Lance Olsen’s fiction novel SKIN ELEGIES in May, which features many different storylines, but one in particular thread is a rundown of the 73 seconds in the Challenger cabin between lift-off and dismantlement. I was spurred to get into the facts, and Adam Higginbotham provides immense and intricate detail, and a whole new understanding.

There’s what is generally well known about the disaster, and then there is what is shocking to learn in this book. Higginbotham’s research dives deep not only into the time around the explosion, but NASA history that led to that moment. It’s angering and sad to realize that several people made terrible decisions over years, months, weeks, and that actual morning, which culminated in the death of seven astronauts. At times it was an emotional read. Particularly with what the reader knows going into the book, and the chronological unfolding of the events. The details about the planned celebrations with partners, friends, and children. The euphoric excitement by the astronauts and their close ones.

The crucial human details are here, but the book does not skim on science. Higginbotham brings the reader (presumably, like me, not well versed in physics, rocket science, etc.) along on what the technical issues the engineers were facing that led to failure. I didn’t come away an expert, but I felt like I learned a lot from reading this. Having a better understanding of the mechanics has given me a new appreciation for space launches.

Higginbotham brings so much humanity to the technical. This is not a cold book, and the reader can feel the gravity on each page. I wept reading the epilogue with its various testimonies. The Challenger’s legacy contains lessons that should never be forgotten. A depressing account in many ways, but riveting. 

A good ride with Knoll's signature depth interwoven, but not as satisfying as her other reads. Bright Young Women has proven to be her best work, and I can't wait to read what she writes next!

I was a little hesitant when I started this book, but still curious. I immediately felt unmoored in the staccato prose and thrust into a handful of storylines for a bunch of dates...some of which I knew as they related to history; others I had to look up. I'm glad I continued because what comes together is a resonant piece of literature that explores some important events in human history, and what may come next. I should say, what is explored is the human interaction, how we relate, how we witness, how we endure humanity. The final event, set in the future, nearly made me weep while I finished it it in a cold courtroom awaiting to be called for jury selection.

I didn't know stories are
the events that only happen
to other people.

When they happen to you,
they're called the world.

Probably going to be one of the best and memorable books I read this year.

A beautifully written novel that starts out as one thing and develops into a tumultuous epic about history borne of two people and their affair. Tremendous, really. And fit for rereading. I've already reread certain passages that stirred me so much the first time around.

A provocative memoir narrated by someone who doesn't really give a f*** if you believe it or not. Entertaining, at least, but very strange if her intentions are to normalize sociopathic behavior by displaying herself as "the good one" or the "moral one" who is here to help the rest. She acts like sociopaths are mutants on earth and she must be their Professor X and provide them a safe haven, as a therapist. Still... entertaining! I was laughing and shaking my head a lot.