Paperback: 464 pages- Publisher: Picador; Main Market edition (29 Dec. 2016)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 1447250974
- ISBN-13: 978-1447250975
- Product Dimensions: 12.9 x 3 x 19.7 cm
Synopsis
A picture hides a thousand words . . .
On a hot July day in 1967, Odelle Bastien climbs the stone steps of the Skelton gallery in London, knowing that her life is about to change forever. Having struggled to find her place in the city since she arrived from Trinidad five years ago, she has been offered a job as a typist under the tutelage of the glamorous and enigmatic Marjorie Quick. But though Quick takes Odelle into her confidence, and unlocks a potential she didn’t know she had, she remains a mystery – no more so than when a lost masterpiece with a secret history is delivered to the gallery.
The truth about the painting lies in 1936 and a large house in rural Spain, where Olive Schloss, the daughter of a renowned art dealer, is harbouring ambitions of her own. Into this fragile paradise come artist and revolutionary Isaac Robles and his half-sister Teresa, who immediately insinuate themselves into the Schloss family, with explosive and devastating consequences . . .
Review
After the success of her debut novel The Miniaturist, there was a lot of expectation with Jessie Burton’s new novel The Muse. I loved The Miniaturist and am happy to say that The Muse is just as good, if nor even better. Jessie Burton stays with historical fiction, but this time the setting is Spain in 1936 and London 1967. In London the plot centres around Odelle Bastien, who begins work at the Skelton Gallery for Majorie Quick and becomes embroiled in the research of a painting brought in by Odelle’s boyfriend Lawrie. In rural Spain in 1936 art dealer Harold Schloss has come to escape what is happening in his home city of Vienna. With him is his wife Sarah and daughter Olive, and their lives become entangles with that of Isaac and his sister Teresa, who live nearby and work for the Schloss’s. Both plot lines slowly begin to knit together and the secrets of the past and present are revealed.
What stands out for me most in this book is Jessie Burton’s beautifully descriptive prose. Her use of language is like a painting itself in that the attention to detail in the setting and characters brings the book to life. If you close your eyes you can feel the heat of the Spanish sun, smell the earth around the finch, feel it beneath your feet, see the mountains in the distance. The same attention details is given to characters, you can see them before you, they feel like old friends. I really enjoyed the relationship between Marjorie and Odelle. Although from completely different backgrounds Marjorie saw a kindred spirit in Odelle, some one displaced and on their own, looking for love and security. She becomes a mother figure, looking out for Odelle in her relationship with Lawrie and also encouraging her with her writing.
The plot is layered in its themes, and works on many different levels. There is the main narrative of the painting, its history and how the two alternate time lines bring the book together. Looking deeper into the plot there is the subject of prejudice, Odelle is from Trinidad and Tobago so faces racism in London, also the Schloss family with their Austrian roots. Sexism in the art world is also looked at and in doing so Jessie Burton also brings in authenticity of art and the importance fame. These difficult subjects are dealt with great understanding and add to and underpin the main plot line.
Loving historical fiction and art history it is not surprising that I was enamoured by this book. It is a beautifully crafted novel, with an engaging plot line that covers a couple of love stories, in both 1967 and 1939, a mystery, and the politics of the Spanish Civil War. Full of atmosphere and historical detail this book will captivate your senses and mind. A truly enigmatic and wonderful read.
Thank you for taking the time to read my review of The Muse. If you liked my review you can click the follow button to keep up to date with my book reviews. I also really appreciate all likes and shares as it helps me grow as a blogger.
Great book and great review. I read this a little while ago and was hooked.
I loved The Miniaturist (with minor reservations) and have been nervous of reading The Muse in case it somehow spoilt the memory – illogical but true. However your review, along with the fuzzy memory of other good ones, makes me feel I should just get on with it!
Second books are always a bit tense as you want it to be as good as the first. The Muse is very different but I loved it.
Great – thanks. (Am about to pick up work on my own second novel – the first shortly to be published. I can assure you that the writers feel tense too!)