The conceit of the novel was quite interesting. From a pure craft perspective, Cusk is nearly unmatched. There are insightful, broad ideas in nearly every sentence. I started writing down quotes and lines that stuck out to me, but I abandoned that quickly as I would soon be re-writing the book
It is broken into four parts, entitled "The Stuntman," "The Midwife," "The Diver," and "The Spy". Each are two different narratives, expertly intertwined in writing though not in plot. They focus on "big ideas", like the importance of art, female empowerment/disempowerment, aging, family and more. Personally, I enjoyed The Diver the most.
Her writing sucks you in from the start. Every word is succulent and properly placed. Overall, the style is non-traditional, but exceptional. This was my first interaction with Cusk and certainly not my last. It takes a bit of effort, but is really worth the ride.
by nicacio