The book leaves some questions unanswered, such as how does Teresa, who comes to England with no resources and education, become wealthy and established and can afford a large cottage (the book tells us it’s not that big, but it’s described and the place is HUGE)? It’s hinted she succeeded because she could speak Spanish and German, which... is the case for millions of people in the UK. It’s not like these are the most unique qualifications with high demand and no supply. Yes, I believe she’s smart and resourceful, and there are way she could have made it, but it would have been nice to see hints pointing at a more reasonable explanation. Still, in terms of unresolved plots, this book is a huge improvement over The Miniaturist. Everything has a purpose and every plot fits nicely in the full picture.

Was the difference between being a workaday painter and being an artist simply other people believing in you, or spending twice as much money on your work?” There are two timelines here. One is London in 1967 and the other is in Spain in 1936 at the beginning of the Spanish Civil War. This is an exploration of the relationship between art and artists and indeed the role of the muse. It also considers the afterlife of a painting. Burton explores the way men and women are treated differently as artists and there is a sort of artistic detective story. The plot follows two different but interwined timelines. We have Odelle, a Caribbean immigrant in London in 1967, and Olive Schloss, daughter of an art dealer in Spain in 1937. Yes, yes, I know. The mystery is predictable. And yes, I guessed the mysterious character’s identity pretty early on. But so what? I feel it’s wrong to think of this book as a mystery. It’s not about solving the puzzle; it’s about so much else.

It's funny how Jessie Burton is able to write stories that are quite similar, but that are still able to evoke very opposing emotions in me. Some years ago, I read "The Miniaturist" and I wasn't impressed. I still appreciated the story, though, and so I decided to get "The Muse" as well and read it. I'm so happy I did! It turned out that I liked this novel a lot better, and in many ways I read it at just the perfect time of my life.

The mystery behind the painting wasn't as captivating as I hoped for. It wasn't a riddle you would enjoy solving. A thrilling painting with a mysterious provenance connects two bold young women, one in Civil War Spain, the other in mid-1960s England. The Muse" tells the story of two women: Odelle living in 1960s London and Olive living in 1930s Malaga in Spain. It's a story about art, but it's also a story about history and destinies. From very early on in the book, I felt captivated with and invested in the story. It was simple, beautiful and I was eager to find out more about these intriguing characters.

The Muse

Raised in poverty, these illegitimate children of the local landowner revel in exploiting this wealthy Anglo-Austrian family. Insinuating themselves into the Schloss’s lives, Teresa and Isaac help Olive conceal her artistic talents with devastating consequences that will echo into the decades to come. Blood alive, head singing from the way Isaac had looked at her … she ran her fingers over the paint tubes hidden under the cottons … Olive felt a familiar connection, as if her heart was slotting into place." Unlike the people in her life, Olive's paints, pastels and powders "had always been loyal".

Burton's second novel, The Muse, was published in 2016 and is set in a dual time-frame, during the Spanish Civil War and 30 years later in 1960s London. [10] It was nominated for the 2016 Books Are My Bag Readers' Awards. [11] In 1936 Spain, in the impoverished rural village of Arazuelo on the southern coast of Spain, Olive Schloss, a nineteen year old artist, lives in a rented villa with her expatriate parents. Her father is a Viennese art dealer who doesn’t believe women can be true artists, and is totally unaware of his daughter’s talent. Olive hides her artwork, along with her invitation to study art at a London art school. Either from uncertainty or a feeling that her artistic future lies elsewhere, Olive never responds to the art school. Her decision to stay is solidified when she meets Isaac Robles, an art teacher and revolutionary, and his young sister Teresa. Olive befriends Teresa and falls in love with Isaac, who inspires her to paint greater art than Olive has ever created before. Isaac’s minor talent at painting, Teresa’s desire to have Olive become known for her art, and Olive’s compulsion to keep it secret, collide, with unexpected consequences for all three of them. Meanwhile in 1936, Spain is on the verge of war and revolution and Olive Schloss; daughter of Harold and Sarah, and aspiring artist is entranced by the mysterious and enigmatic brother and sister; Isaac and Teresa Robles.Olive hides her talent until she meets a young artist, Isaac, and his teenage sister Teresa. Isaac is a political activist raising funds to fight the fascists in the civil war. He an Olive decide to extract money from her parents who are oblivious to the violent carnage they face in the very near future. okay, i suppose i should write a more in-depth review of the actual book and not just rely on super-sexxy hospital gown photos to do all the work for me…