Subversively hilarious novel
Notes From Rachel Cusk's The Country Life...
Quotation studies are a place for me to explore the quotes I underlined in the novels I read. There is typically no rhyme or reason — sometimes I will zoom in on a particular theme and other times I will ramble out how I personally related to each quote. But as a rule of thumb, if I highlighted enough quotes to form one of these, then it’s a solid 3+ star book.
This Week: The Country Life, Rachel Cusk
Before reading this novel, I had yet to decide whether I liked Cusk. earlier in the year I read The Temporary and it was ok but nothing special (I’m not sure why I started with this and not the infamous trilogy) Her writing was clearly of a high standard, but I couldn’t determine whether it was relatable to me. The Country Life was Cusk’s last chance, and she saved herself, earning the second 5-star read I have gifted this year.
This novel had me gripped and smiling to myself as I sporadically flicked each page on my phone while walking on the treadmill. It was truly a masterpiece. It felt modern but also 20th century at the same time — but overall, it was magical.
I’ve written a full review in my July wrap-up, which you can read here. But all in all, this was a masterpiece.
From the onset, I found the premise interesting, a little familiar. A young girl going to this grand house to help one of the kids (simply put). Sounded like Jane Eyre. It wasn’t until I was 25% into the book and I searched the premise that my suspicions were true.
The Country Life, then, published in 1997, is a comedic novel (or an SNL-esque skit) of our first-person narrator Stella, who has fled London to take care of Martin, the wheelchair-using teenage son. I adored the relationship between Stella and Martin, and although at times it felt a tad inappropriate, their humour carried the story.
It’s defined as a story about embarrassment, awkwardness, and being alone — but also about families, or the lack of them. My life is also defined by embarrassment, awkwardness, being alone, and my existent but unconnected family. Therefore, it only follows that today’s quotation study is of quotes on embarrassment, awkwardness and just being me.
“I am often crippled by dislike of my own clothes, and am possessed by the conviction that for every situation in which I find myself, there is some perfect outfit which I do not own; an outfit”
This might be the most relatable quote. How many times do I plan my outfit in my head the night before, go to put it on, and it’s just not quite right. Perhaps the jeans are slightly too short or the jumper isn’t the right shade. The components are there, but they are not perfect. Off they come and dumped on the bed, and the next outfit goes on. Next thing I know, I am wearing the same outfit as I always do and there is a pile of clothes on the bed that I have to sort out once I get home from work. How does one overcome this perfect outfit obsession to be okay with the imperfect outfit that is sitting in the wardrobe?
“To drive was to be in a perpetual state of stress.”
Without spoiling the plot, there is a reason Stella took the job in the novel and fled to the countryside. Once she arrived and recounted the job description, she realised she could not drive — and that was a big must for taking Martin to places. The scenes which unfold after this are pure gold!
But this quote was aptly fitting, as I underlined it just as my partner came home from his driving lesson, ranting out his stress! I agree with this quote so much. It is a truth. There is nothing relaxing to me about driving. And while I have now been driving for seven years and don’t really think about it anymore, my body is always tense after a long drive or my hand aching from clutching the wheel for too long. I would much rather walk or get public transport if permitted.
“Telephones, like children, cry out to their owners, and so it was some time before I responded to this shrill summons.”
This was such an interesting simile. My phone is always on Do Not Disturb so I never have to hear it ring, but if I am out and I hear a kid crying I have to run away. I always tell my partner that if we have a kid we have to train it not to cry because I could not cope with the noise. It overstimulates me. And I guess Cusk is right — crying children and ringing phones are the same thing. They are both calling out to you because they want something. You leave the baby crying to see if it will stop and you leave the phone to ring out because who wants to speak on the phone?
Some other interests in the novel for me were:
Class divide
Country vs. city divide (UK-specific)
Classical re-imagining
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