Second Place, the first novel by Canadian-British author Rachel Cusk (b. 1967) following her acclaimed experimental trilogy, Outline, draws inspiration from the memoir of art patron Mabel Dodge Luhan, Lorenzo at Taos, about D.H. Lawrence's visit to Mexico in the 1920s, and continues to blur the line between fiction and documentary. The protagonist invites a renowned artist to stay at the remote coastal retreat where she lives with her family. Passionate about his paintings, she believes his vision will provide insight into the mystery at the heart of her life. But as the long, dry summer sets in, his provocative presence becomes a challenge, disrupting the tranquility of her secluded home. A psychodrama with elements of social comedy turns into an exploration of female fate and male privilege, the geometry of human relationships, and the moral questions that fill our lives. Nominated for numerous literary awards, Kask's novel explores the multifaceted nature of the human soul, the essence of artistic genius, and reminds us of art's power to transform and destroy.