Summary
Creation Lake, Rachel Kushner's fourth novel, has taken the literary world by storm since its release in 2024. This gripping espionage thriller follows “Sadie Smith,” a cunning American spy infiltrating an anarchist collective in France. Shortlisted for the 2024 Booker Prize and longlisted for the National Book Award, Kushner's latest work has cemented her status as one of today's most compelling authors.
Kushner's masterful prose weaves a complex narrative that blends elements of noir, high art, and dark comedy. The novel explores themes of identity, manipulation, and the allure of counter-culture philosophies. Critics have praised Kushner's ability to integrate philosophical discussions seamlessly into the plot, creating a work that is both intellectually stimulating and highly entertaining.
While Creation Lake has not yet been adapted for the screen, its critical acclaim and commercial success suggest that film or television adaptations may be on the horizon. The novel's propulsive plot and richly drawn characters make it an ideal candidate for a visual medium, potentially following in the footsteps of other acclaimed spy thrillers that have successfully transitioned from page to screen.
Plot
In Rachel Kushner's Creation Lake, we follow “Sadie Smith,” a 34-year-old American secret agent sent to France on a covert mission. Sadie's task is to infiltrate and disrupt a rural commune of French subversives. She employs her skills in strategy and deception, operating under the guidance of shadowy contacts in business and government.
Sadie initiates a romantic relationship with Lucien, a young Parisian from a wealthy background, through a calculated “cold bump” - staging an accidental encounter. Like others in Sadie's orbit, Lucien becomes both useful to her and unwittingly used by her. As Sadie embeds herself deeper into the activist community, her contacts escalate their demands, pushing her to provoke more significant disruptions.
The story unfolds in a region of France characterized by ancient caves and centuries-old farms. Here, Sadie becomes intrigued by Bruno Lacombe, a mysterious mentor figure to the young activists who communicates solely via email. Bruno espouses a philosophy that eschews revolt in favor of a return to ancient ways as a means of addressing modern societal ills.
As the plot progresses, Sadie finds herself increasingly captivated by Bruno Lacombe. While she initially sees herself as the master manipulator, she begins to fall under the spell of Bruno's counter-histories, artful lamentations, and tragic personal narrative. This unexpected dynamic challenges Sadie's perceptions and potentially compromises her mission, adding complexity to her role as an undercover agent.
Themes
Deception and manipulation in espionage
Clash between modern society and ancient ways of life
Environmental activism and corporate interests
Seduction as a tool for power and control
Identity and the consequences of living under false pretenses
Philosophical exploration of human nature and society
The allure and danger of radical ideologies
Setting
Creation Lake is set in contemporary France, likely in the early to mid-2020s. The novel unfolds against the backdrop of a rural region characterized by centuries-old farms and ancient caves, providing a stark contrast between the modern world of espionage and the timeless French countryside.
While the exact location is not specified, the story primarily takes place in a rural commune where French subversives have gathered. This setting serves as a microcosm of political and social tension, juxtaposing the traditional agrarian lifestyle with the anarchist ideologies of the collective. The protagonist, Sadie Smith, navigates this environment as she carries out her covert mission.
The novel also features scenes in Paris, where Sadie meets her lover Lucien, a young Parisian from a privileged background. This urban setting provides a counterpoint to the rural commune, highlighting the socioeconomic disparities and cultural differences that exist within French society. The contrast between these locations adds depth to the narrative, emphasizing the complex web of relationships and motivations at play in Kushner's espionage thriller.
Characters
Sadie Smith: A 34-year-old American secret agent and the novel's protagonist. Sadie is cunning, ruthless, and skilled at manipulation, infiltrating an anarchist collective in France under false pretenses. She operates based on instructions from shadowy contacts, initially tasked with inciting provocation but later given more sinister objectives. As the story progresses, Sadie becomes increasingly entranced by the mysterious Bruno Lacombe, challenging her certainty in her role as puppet master.
Lucien: A young, well-born Parisian who becomes Sadie's lover. Lucien is targeted by Sadie through a “cold bump” technique, making him believe their encounter was accidental. He is useful to Sadie's mission and is unknowingly used by her as part of her covert operations.
Bruno Lacombe: A enigmatic mentor figure to the young activists, who communicates only via email. Bruno believes that emancipation from modern life's ailments lies in returning to the ancient past, not in revolt. His ingenious counter-histories, artful laments, and tragic personal story begin to seduce Sadie, complicating her mission.
"Contacts": Shadowy figures in business and government who instruct Sadie on her mission. They initially task her with inciting provocation among the anarchist collective, but their demands escalate as the story unfolds.
Quick facts
It was shortlisted for the 2024 Booker Prize
The novel was longlisted for the 2024 National Book Award
It became an instant New York Times bestseller upon release
The book is Rachel Kushner's fourth novel
Kushner cited Jean-Patrick Manchette and John le Carré as inspirations
The main character uses the pseudonym “Sadie Smith"
The story is set primarily in France
It was published by Scribner in the US and Jonathan Cape in the UK
The novel is 416 pages long
Kushner drew inspiration from time spent with performance artists in the 1980s
About the Author
Rachel Kushner, born in 1968 in Eugene, Oregon, is a celebrated American novelist and essayist. Her literary career took flight with the publication of her debut novel Telex from Cuba in 2008, which earned her a nomination for the National Book Award. Kushner's unique upbringing, influenced by her unconventional scientist parents and early exposure to literature, shaped her path to becoming a writer.
Kushner's subsequent novels, The Flamethrowers (2013) and The Mars Room (2018), further solidified her reputation as a formidable voice in contemporary literature. These works garnered numerous accolades, including nominations for prestigious awards such as the Booker Prize and the National Book Critics Circle Award. Her latest novel, Creation Lake (2024), continues to showcase her literary prowess, earning spots on the Booker Prize shortlist and the National Book Award longlist.
Beyond her novels, Kushner has made significant contributions to journalism and the art world. She has written extensively on contemporary art for publications like Artforum and has been an editor for literary magazines. Her collection of essays, The Hard Crowd: Essays 2000-2020, published in 2021, offers readers insight into her diverse interests and experiences. Kushner's work often explores themes of politics, culture, and social issues, reflecting her academic background in political economy.
Kushner's impact on the literary world is evident through her numerous awards and honors. She has been recognized with a Guggenheim Fellowship and the Harold D. Vursell Memorial Award from the American Academy of Arts and Letters. Her books have been translated into 26 languages, demonstrating their global appeal. Currently residing in Los Angeles with her family, Kushner continues to be a prominent figure in American literature, known for her insightful and provocative storytelling.
