What an amazingly captivating read about everything and nothing at the same time.

Despite not knowing the narrators name until page 211, Cusk manages to craft a beautifully raw and thought provoking novel about what it means to really “see” someone, and through seeing others, see oneself.

With little in the way of plot, the story is told through a series of conversions and interactions that occur between the narrator and people she meets while teaching a writing class in Athens.

Cusk’s beautiful prose and exquisite command of pace ensure you’re gripped until the end, despite not really knowing why.

My edition of the book has the most beautiful cover, featuring a 1930’s print from a solarised negative by artist and photographer Man Ray (Emmanuel Radnitzky). Solarisation is a process by which the print is wholly or partially reversed in tone. Dark areas appear light or light areas appear dark. In my opinion, a very fitting match for this novel, although I believe this edition by Penguin Vintage had a limited print run.

If you like reading Elizabeth Strout or Elena Ferrante, I think you will like Outline.