The title of Rachel Cusk’s 2014 novel “Outline” suggested a story only in broad strokes. “Outline” followed a novelist named Faye on a trip to Greece to teach a writing seminar. Little was revealed about the narrator except that she was coming off a personal crisis, likely a divorce. Instead of examining her own psychology, Faye recorded the stories told to her by colleagues, students and acquaintances. Their subjects—failed relationships and the difficulties of writing—formed a carpet in which readers could discern the shape...

Source: Wall Street Journal January 13, 2017 20:20 UTC