Saving Agnes

A brilliant, startlingly well written, tears down yer face funny debut. Rachel perfectly captures what is like to be set adrift in a big city with the feeling that life and love are somehow eluding your world, and to have the aching suspicion that you are somehow too nondescript for the wonderful and spectacular things others seem to attract so easily.

I am surprised that there have been so many 2 star reviews, and they leave me wondering if these readers have actually read the entire book. The first part of the book was admittedly rather dry, and I was tempted to chuck it aside. But I hanged on because of Ms Cusk's beautiful prose. And I'm really glad I did. She really has a way with words, and many a time, she just wowed me with the way she expresses complex emotions so fluidly. The second half (starting from the working day description if my memory has not failed me) is brilliant. I couldn't put it down. This book doesn't engage the reader with much action, but rather, with what goes on in Agnes's mind. Thus, if you are looking for an action-filled plot, this book may not entertain you. But if you enjoy observing human emotions and behaviour, as well as life's little ironies and nuances, pick this up right away!

I first read Rachel Cusk's clever & maddening The Country Life, then on a recent London trip discovered her two earlier books, Saving Agnes and The Temporary. These are both interesting yet short of the comic genius so evident in Country Life. Of the two, Saving Agnes is the better, a reminder of the confusions life presents when, out of college, we are expected to take command of it. The Temporary is darker (I think I once took her out), a reminder of the confusions life presents in the form of the opposite sex. All this from Ms. Cusk, a mere 29 or so. Cusk's talent burns bright at a young age and I look forward to her next offering, though I trust we men do better in it.

I have enjoyed this book as it addresses issues of young adults who have just entered into the world. Though "Agnes" is not as overtly funny as "Briget Jones," her character's candid sensitivity to the world is endearing. Anyone who has ever enjoyed escaping the real world by entering into the imagination & land of literature , will likely enjoy this book.

I remember what it was like to be young,single, and female in the big city and things have not changed all that much in 30 years. From the bittersweet,to the absurdly funny,to the grotesque and nightmarish aspects of Agnes's life, Rachel Cusk manages to hit the nail on the head in every case. This is somewhat of a problem , however, as the tone of the book shifts constantly and rapidly ,but not enough of a problem for the reader to abandon Agnes till we find out if she will be OK out there.