Ironically, L’s derision becomes his undoing. The most overt, external conflict arises when L relents to M’s insistence he paint her, setting off a chain of events that leads to M betraying Tony’s love and discovering L hated her so much that he would defile her sanctuary with vulgar murals and verbal mockery. This may be why he continually ignores her, in hopes she’ll grow dejected and stop pursuing him. Sensing that his rival is trying to force a friendship between them, L is disgusted and wants to “destroy” M, though how he plans to do so isn’t detailed. L’s concept of freedom, however, entails what M considers a particular amorality that claims no responsibility other than to what or who he desires and can mold to his liking. The “second place” on M and Tony’s property was built as a separate space the former could do with as she pleased, often housing artists looking for a refuge to create. M feels she’s never been allowed to develop an identity and sought out L years after seeing his art, appreciating its evocation of freedom and remembrance and becoming “awakened” by its messaging. Their conversations are self-important and combative, delving into how their personal histories shaped their characters and perspectives and why they’re attracted or repulsed by their counterpart. He never seeks her out, and their interactions mostly occur by chance meeting. Friction generates from M’s insecurities and frustration over L’s refusal to acknowledge her as someone worth his attention. The novel’s plot is chiefly internal and imposed upon Cusk’s cast. The effects of their conflict ripple out to M’s family and L’s uninvited guest. Instead of fostering kinship between them, the living arrangement breeds resentment between the woman and the perpetually bitter artist ― respectfully M and L ― as they attempt to assert their will over their opposite.

Believing herself forever changed after visiting a painter’s exhibit, a disaffected, yearning woman reaches out to the man behind the work and invites him to stay in the spare home owned by her and her husband, Tony. Rachel Cusk’s Second Place questions what freedom and agency entail and what purpose art serves.

Second place rachel cusk goodreads