What's happened
Rachel Kushner's novel 'Creation Lake' follows Sadie Smith, an American spy infiltrating a radical farming commune in rural France. The narrative delves into themes of ideology, environmentalism, and personal conflict, set against the backdrop of corporate agribusiness and local activism. The book has garnered critical acclaim, including a Booker nomination.
Why it matters
What the papers say
Dwight Garner from the New York Times describes Sadie as 'one of the coldest customers serious American fiction has seen in recent years,' emphasizing her emotional detachment and effectiveness as a spy. In contrast, M John Harrison from The Guardian highlights the ideological depth of the narrative, noting that 'the wedge between human beings and nature has become far deeper.' This contrast illustrates differing focuses on character versus thematic exploration in the reviews.
How we got here
Set in the southwest of France, 'Creation Lake' presents a gritty portrayal of rural life, contrasting with romanticized depictions. The protagonist, Sadie, is a freelance spy tasked with infiltrating a commune that opposes corporate exploitation of local resources, reflecting broader societal tensions.
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More on these topics
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Zadie Adeline Smith FRSL is an English novelist, essayist, and short-story writer. Her debut novel, White Teeth, immediately became a best-seller and won a number of awards.
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Rachel Kushner is an American writer, known for her novels Telex from Cuba, The Flamethrowers, and The Mars Room. She lives in Los Angeles.