Wednesday 20 June 2018

The Muse by Jessie Burton | Book Review 2018


'Not all of us receive the ends that we deserve. Many moments that change a life's course - a conversation with a stranger on a ship, for example - are pure luck. And yet no one writes you a letter, or chooses you as their confessor, without good reason. This is what she taught me: you have to be ready in order to be lucky. You have to put your pieces into play'. 




The Muse by Jessie Burton // This is the first book I've read by Jessie Burton. Her first novel, The Miniaturist, is also sitting on my shelf waiting patiently to be read, but something about The Muse intrigued me, and I decided to pick it up first. Firstly, the cover is gorgeous and makes for the perfect Instagram snapshot. I'm such a sucker for a good book cover, but I've learnt my lesson the hard way - a good cover doesn't always mean it's a good book. Or I guess you could go with the classic saying, 'never judge a book by it's cover'. 

Fortunately, this is not one of these moments. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I was kept guessing throughout the plot and really had no idea how it would end. I really loved following the two main storylines and characters, Odelle and Olive, through the past and into the present. The two characters live in different worlds and different times. Olive is based in Spain in the 1930s, whilst Odelle is living in London during the hustle and bustle of the vibrant 1960s. 

I can't really say too much about the story in case of giving away spoilers - but I found it to be a unique story, and one that I had not really come across before. The book covers a number of themes: the Spanish Civil War in the 1930s, the role of women in the art world, racial prejudice in 1960s London. On top of that there is a mystery over a painting, love interests, and the hold on the reader waiting to see how Olive's life in a town in Spain in 1936 would connect with Odelle's in London in 1967. Overall, I really enjoyed the atmosphere, both the settings and I found the characters to be well written and engaging.


Have you read The Muse? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below. 

More soon, 

Helen
x
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10 comments

  1. Ooh I loved The Miniaturist a lot, the plot twists in that book are amazing and I love a good plot twist haha. I would love to read your review on it.

    The Muse sounds really good, like something I would enjoy immensely. Thanks for sharing, I will add it to my list :)
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  2. I think I will love this. I love a vintage style setting. Will check this in my local bookstore later!

    Madame X
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  3. I take note of this for sure. Thanks for sharing, dear!

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  5. Ooh the fact that there are two characters living separate lives that somehow connect sounds very intriguing! I definitely need to check this out. I am always on the lookout for new books to read. Thanks for sharing!

    ~Andrea Tiffany~
    aglimpseofglam.blogspot.com

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  6. OMG. I want so much to get my hands on this book.

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  7. Fortunately, this is not one of these moments. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I was kept guessing throughout the plot and really had no idea how it would end. I really loved following the two main storylines and characters, Odelle and Olive, through the past and into the present. The two characters live in different worlds and different times. Olive is based in Spain in the 1930s, whilst Odelle is living in London during the hustle and bustle of the vibrant 1960s. shawls online , pashmina shawls online , silk shawls online , shawls online , black shawl , white shawl , shawl , silver shawl , gold shawl , navy shawl

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Thank you for taking the time to leave a comment, I really appreciate it! Helen x

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