The “movements of the planets” represent “a zone of infinite reverberation to human destiny”; the portentousness is absurd, and stirring. Cusk is always an exciting writer: striking and challenging, with a distinctive cool prose voice, and behind that coolness something untamed and full of raw force, even rash. Both these novels are constructed as a sequence of stories which are only connected through being told to Faye. This novel feels like a very active form of listening: not a particularly kindly listening, but not a satirical one either. • To order Transit for £13.93 (Jonathan Cape, RRP £16.99) go to bookshop.theguardian.com or call 0330 333 6846.

Source: The Guardian September 17, 2016 06:56 UTC