Outline is a 2014 novel by British author Rachel Cusk,[1] the first installment in her critically acclaimed The Outline trilogy,[2] followed by Transit (2016) and Kudos (2018).
This experimental work of autobiographical fiction follows an unnamed British novelist traveling to Athens to teach a writing workshop, where her encounters with various characters spark profound conversations about art, relationships, and selfhood. Through these dialogues – recounted in Cusk's signature sparse prose – the novel explores themes of identity, creative expression, and the boundaries between fiction and reality.[3]
Praised for its innovative structure that blurs traditional narrative conventions, Outline received widespread critical acclaim upon release. It was shortlisted for several prestigious literary awards including the Goldsmiths Prize (2014)[4] and Folio Prize (2015),[5] and named one of The New York Times Top 10 Books of 2015.[6] The novel has been recognized as a landmark in contemporary literature, ranking 34th in The Guardian's 100 Best Books Since 2000[7] and 14th in the New York Times Best Books of the 21st Century (2024).[8] Critics have celebrated its radical approach to storytelling as redefining modern fiction's possibilities.[9]
Plot
An English woman writer flies to Athens to teach a summer writing workshop. On the plane, she meets an older Greek bachelor[10] who tells her about his two failed marriages. The next day, she meets with an Irish colleague from the writing school who also tells her his life story. In every chapter, the writer meets people and engages in long conversations on love, fiction, marriage, and intimacy.[11]
Reception
Upon release, Outline was generally well-received. According to Book Marks, the book received a "rave" consensus, based on fifteen critics: eleven "rave", two "positive", and two "mixed".[12] On The Omnivore, an aggregator of British press, the book received an "omniscore" of 4.5 out of 5.[13]The Bookseller reported on reviews from several publications with a rating scale for the novel out of "Top form", "Flawed but worth a read", and "Disappointing": Observer, Guardian, Financial Times, and Daily Telegraph reviews under "Top form" and Times review under "Flawed but worth a read".[14][15] In the March/April 2015 issue of Bookmarks, the book was scored four out of five. The magazine's critical summary reads: "In sum: a new, daring way of crafting a novel".[16][17]
Outline was voted the 34th best book since 2000 by The Guardian.[7] In 2024, it was listed #14 on The New York Times' 100 Best Books of the 21st Century list.[8]
This page is based on this Wikipedia article Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply. Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.
