The Muse
A tale of art, obsession, and hidden identities
Format:Paperback
Publisher:Pan Macmillan
Published:15th Jun '17
Should be back in stock very soon
Set in 1960s London and 1930s Spain, The Muse explores art, identity, and the intertwining fates of two women across time.
In The Muse, Jessie Burton weaves an intricate tale that explores the depths of art, identity, and the hidden strengths we possess. Set against the backdrop of 1960s London and 1930s rural Spain, the narrative unfolds through the lives of two women separated by time but connected through a mysterious painting. Odelle Bastien, a young woman from Trinidad, steps into a new world when she secures a job at the Skelton gallery. Under the guidance of the enigmatic Marjorie Quick, Odelle discovers her own potential while grappling with the secrets that surround her mentor.
As the story shifts to the past, readers are introduced to Olive Schloss, the daughter of a renowned art dealer, who dreams of making her mark in the art world. Her life takes a dramatic turn when she encounters artist Isaac Robles and his half-sister Teresa, leading to a series of events that intertwine their fates. The painting that binds these characters together holds a secret that could change everything, revealing the complexities of love, obsession, and the pursuit of artistic ambition.
The Muse is not just a story of art; it's a reflection on the connections we forge and the hidden narratives that shape our lives. With captivating prose and richly developed characters, Jessie Burton invites readers to delve into a world where every brushstroke tells a story and every choice has lasting consequences.
Burton's multi-layered story is never less than engaging . . . she has an undoubted gift for seizing the reader's attention and holding it . . . powerful . . . genuinely surprising * Sunday Times *
Deftly plotted, a masterclass in pacing, tension and suspense, and richly characterised . . . exquisitely written, evocative and suspenseful * Sunday Express *
Those who loved The Miniaturist will find here all the cliffhangers, twists and heart-stopping revelations they expected, and in two evocative settings . . . as a study of female creativity, it triumphs * Daily Telegraph *
An exhilarating read, Jessie Burton can expect more awards to soon be coming her way * The Herald *
Tremendous vitality . . . her craftsmanship and surefooted prose ensure a satisfying conclusion * Daily Mail *
Rich and gripping . . . excellently explores the writing process itself . . . Burton breathes life into her words * Independent *
An intricate story of imposture . . . strong on the emotional and sensual . . . who would bet against it selling a million copies like its predecessor? * Guardian *
Readers who enjoyed The Miniaturist won't be disappointed * The Times *
Richly atmospheric and engrossing . . . you'll turn the pages feverishly * Daily Express *
Impressive . . . It takes all the promise of The Miniaturist - the complex female characters, an entrancing mystery, a lush and evocative sense of place - and executes it with wit and style. My book of the summer * Elle *
A painterly writer with an eye for the telling detail . . . suspenseful . . . when the postman rang the doorbell bang in the middle of the denoument, I sprinted back up six flights of stairs to know who was going to get out of Arazuelo alive * The Spectator *
Burton is also adept at generating atmosphere and a sense of place (both Spain and London are vividly realised) and she brings her characters' lives a degree of commitment, imaginative compassion and detail that brings them palpably and affectingly to life * The National *
Clever and complex, with a shocking climax . . . Seductive, exhilarating and suspenseful . . . a masterpiece * Belfast Telegraph *
Delves deep into another world . . . the must-read of summer 2016 * Glamour *
Jessie Burton's gripping new novel follows a young London art-gallery employee whose discovery of a lost masterpiece draws her into the mystery surrounding its provenance * Harper’s Bazaar *
A deeply involving and thought-provoking read * Woman & Home *
Another surefire bestseller * Fabulous *
I found it to be one of the most powerful and beautiful and original things I have read in a very long time. It is exquisite in every way -- Claire Kendal, Sunday Times bestselling author of The Book of You
A beautifully crafted, simmering love story * Glamour (10 Best Novels of 2016) *
Jessie Burton’s The Muse is both elegant and as gripping as a thriller, even better than her first -- SJ Watson * Guardian *
- Winner of Specsavers Silver Bestseller Award 2018 (UK)
- Short-listed for British Book Awards: Fiction Book of the Year 2017 (UK)
- Long-listed for International Dublin Literary Award 2018 (UK)
ISBN: 9781447250975
Dimensions: 198mm x 130mm x 28mm
Weight: 308g
464 pages