Art’s take on Life

The Muse’ is a slow read with unfathomable depths into the human condition of how anonymity can be limiting and liberating especially when the focus is on expression than response.

Art and literature as mediums of expression can capture moments in a life, of a pivotal point in the shaping of the world.

Her book draws strongly on the ideas of feminism and their constant struggle to establish their mark on a patriarchal society. Undertones of racism, sexism, intolerance, xenophobia are a constant theme. She forces the reader to take note of the darkness in the shadows cast by the glorious light.

The tale is split between pre World War II and post war after about three decades. The settings for the narrative couldn’t be much contrasted than the sunny countryside of Spain and the cold archaic streets of London.

Two women, one a painter, another a writer, one black and the other white, one oppressed by her sex the other by her skin colour find voice through a random encounter with a stranger.

The connection-a new discovered painting that was hidden all this while. The somber tones of the narrative aren’t for a casual reader.

If Art and its layered complexity isn’t something you like then this book isn’t for you. However, for the patient reader willing to put in the effort of peeling the hard outer shell, the tale offers deep revelations and probes you to reconsider ones perspective of the world.

Odelle Bastein is a black woman from the Caribbean, who travels to London seduced by the glorious tales of marvelous London ruled by the enigmatic Queen in the late 1960’s.

Her childhood best friend Cynth is her rock, anchoring her while she faces the turbulent wind as she flies to reach heights she is forbidden to reach.

Odelle after multiple rejections manages to land a good job, a job that would be her stepping stone towards a better tomorrow for she wants to publish and make a mark.

Her boss at the Skelton gallery is Marjorie Quick a sharp quick confident woman who is as mysterious as she seems open, as hostile as she seems approachable. A painting that makes its way to the gallery unlocks a past that will shape Odelle’s entire future.

In 1936, Olive Schloss is the daughter of a renowned art dealer with grand ambitions. She has lived all over the world but finds herself in the most unexpected places of all; a far-flung corner of Spain. Her meeting with the charming radical Isaac Robles and his half-sister Teresa upends all that she knows.

They open her life to things she wasn’t aware; even existed. When the War comes calling their lives implode with consequences that would ripple through the decades to affect Odelle.

“The Muse” is a hard book to rate for as with the multi facets of the art in the book, the tale in itself could be a master piece for some and nonsense for other. Approach with an open mind, with the conviction that whatever feeling the book evokes good or bad; it will be intense.

Period in its setting with a modern outlook, all the conflicts and injustices detailed in the tale still fester in our current society with their potency dulled but not totally lost.

A nuanced dark and gripping drama woven with small group of characters who given a chance will leave great marks in the readers’ hearts.

By: Shirish Amirineni