Creation Lake

Sadie is dispatched by her powerful yet shadowy employers to infiltrate a secluded commune of radical eco-activists. These activists are deeply influenced by Bruno Lacombe, an enigmatic elder who has eschewed modern civilisation for a secluded life in a Neanderthal cave. Lacombe’s teachings advocate for a return to primitivism as the true path to enlightenment, juxtaposing starkly with the ancient farms and sleepy villages that surround him.

Initially, Sadie views her mission with a cynical detachment, finding Bruno’s idealism almost laughable. However, as she delves deeper into the lives of those within the commune, she realises that she may not be the only one weaving an intricate web of influence and control. Bruno's counter-histories, poignant laments, and captivating personal narrative begin to slowly seduce Sadie, challenging her perception of reality and her role within the mission.

Longlisted for the Booker Prize 2024, Creation Lake is celebrated for its vivid storytelling and complex characters. Bret Easton Ellis hails Kushner as "the most exciting writer of her generation," while Hernan Diaz praises the novel as a reinvention of the spy genre "in one cool, erudite gesture". The Observer succinctly captures its allure, describing it as "compulsively readable... Kill Bill written by John le Carré".

Beneath its surface of taut, dazzling espionage and intrigue, Creation Lake offers a profound meditation on human history. It reveals the tension between past and future through the eyes of a woman ensnared in the middle, grappling with the seductions of both tradition and rebellion. This masterful narrative takes readers on an unforgettable journey into the heart of ideological conflict and personal redemption.