Scan barcode
genesisreads's review
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
loriluo's review
3.0
In "Sirens & Muses", Antonia Angress details the lives and thoughts of a handful of students (and a teacher) at the prestigious Wrynn College of Art in NYC. The central characters include Louisa Arceneaux, a talented young artist at school on a scholarship, trying to separate herself from her mother's legacy; Karina Piontek, Louisa's roommate who grew up in a wealthy family; and Robert Berger, a professor at their school with ties to Karina's family. The novel rotates across their perspectives as the story progresses, allowing readers to see events unfold behind their eyes.
There was a lot I enjoyed about this novel: the writing is artistic and varied, and I enjoyed how the prose shifted across different characters and their voices. Some of the characters were beautifully crafted; I loved Louisa and the very real struggles she faced when it came to confronting her possible future while juggling the reality of finances, and even the mercurial portrayal of Karina. It was a fascinating look into what art school is like (especially for someone like myself who attended a very practical and academic college) and I appreciated the setting in NYC, an area I'm more than familiar with.
However... there really isn't much of a plot. There's some interesting topics thrown in (shifting sexuality, the monetization of art, movements like Occupy Wall Street, etc.) but none of these seem get sufficient time or opportunity to develop. I found it harder to get through the second half of the novel given the pacing of the book, and lost interest as the story went on.
I'd be interested in reading more of Angress's future work just given how strong her writing is, but "Sirens & Muses" isn't a novel I'd readily recommend to others.
There was a lot I enjoyed about this novel: the writing is artistic and varied, and I enjoyed how the prose shifted across different characters and their voices. Some of the characters were beautifully crafted; I loved Louisa and the very real struggles she faced when it came to confronting her possible future while juggling the reality of finances, and even the mercurial portrayal of Karina. It was a fascinating look into what art school is like (especially for someone like myself who attended a very practical and academic college) and I appreciated the setting in NYC, an area I'm more than familiar with.
However... there really isn't much of a plot. There's some interesting topics thrown in (shifting sexuality, the monetization of art, movements like Occupy Wall Street, etc.) but none of these seem get sufficient time or opportunity to develop. I found it harder to get through the second half of the novel given the pacing of the book, and lost interest as the story went on.
I'd be interested in reading more of Angress's future work just given how strong her writing is, but "Sirens & Muses" isn't a novel I'd readily recommend to others.
k_8ty's review
adventurous
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
lucyravenelle's review
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Mostly about art and capitalism which is a really interesting topic. If I’d read it faster I would have loved it more. Queer stories are represented really beautifully which is nice but due to each chapter having a shift in perspective there was the potential for the sensation of incongruency in the plot
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault
liliev's review
5.0
Until about halfway through the book, I thought this would be a 3 star read. The premise was interesting, but I was kind of annoyed with everyone and wasn’t reaching for it much. However, the way everyone’s life in New York played out was really well done. It was so rewarding to see the way these characters reflected on their time at school and how they grew into their own. It was a coming of age story, even for the character that was a professor at the school. Beautifully written and thoughtfully done.
jessiecashew's review against another edition
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
june_haya's review
4.5
But mom! I’m too busy being a starving artist in New York!
Two girls at an elite fine arts school (one with wealthy arts buyer parents and the other low income trying to become someone). Yes it’s gay and yes it’s messy and yes you should go read it now.
Two girls at an elite fine arts school (one with wealthy arts buyer parents and the other low income trying to become someone). Yes it’s gay and yes it’s messy and yes you should go read it now.