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A review by abookishpenguin
The Muse by Jessie Burton
3.0
1930s, Spain: Olive and her parents are living on an estate in Spain. Politics divide the country. Charismatic Isaac is waiting for a revolution, and has captured the heart of Olive, whose talent as a artist is slowly unfurling.
1960s, London: Odelle is working in the Skelton Gallery as a typist for Marjorie Quick. When her boyfriend wishes to sell a painting left to him by his mother, she persuades him to take it to the Skelton.
A web of lies, deceit and betrayal follows, with the painting at the centre.
I enjoyed the second half of this book. The mystery surrounding the painting was interesting and engaging, although I did find the twists very predictable. There was a story in there, which I think could have been great.
Unfortunately, everything surrounding this plot point just didn't do it for me.
I had no love for the characters. I did not really believe Olive's attraction to Isaac - as a character he really had no distinguishing features and it felt more like their relationship was one of convenience. I thought Marjorie Quick could have been an interesting character, but she felt very flat in this. I wish she had been more of a focus.
This story is told across two timelines. I did not enjoy the 1930s sections in Spain. I found they dragged a bit, and didn't add a huge amount to the overall story. The context they did give was important, but I think it could have been much shorter and more direct. In contrast, the sections in London in the 1960s were more interesting.
This probably isn't one I would recommend. I normally quite enjoy dual timelines and interconnecting stories. Unfortunately here, I found the generally characters flat, the twists predictable and the relationships not overly believable. The art mystery was good, but it was wrapped up in too much other stuff.
1960s, London: Odelle is working in the Skelton Gallery as a typist for Marjorie Quick. When her boyfriend wishes to sell a painting left to him by his mother, she persuades him to take it to the Skelton.
A web of lies, deceit and betrayal follows, with the painting at the centre.
I enjoyed the second half of this book. The mystery surrounding the painting was interesting and engaging, although I did find the twists very predictable. There was a story in there, which I think could have been great.
Unfortunately, everything surrounding this plot point just didn't do it for me.
I had no love for the characters. I did not really believe Olive's attraction to Isaac - as a character he really had no distinguishing features and it felt more like their relationship was one of convenience. I thought Marjorie Quick could have been an interesting character, but she felt very flat in this. I wish she had been more of a focus.
This story is told across two timelines. I did not enjoy the 1930s sections in Spain. I found they dragged a bit, and didn't add a huge amount to the overall story. The context they did give was important, but I think it could have been much shorter and more direct. In contrast, the sections in London in the 1960s were more interesting.
This probably isn't one I would recommend. I normally quite enjoy dual timelines and interconnecting stories. Unfortunately here, I found the generally characters flat, the twists predictable and the relationships not overly believable. The art mystery was good, but it was wrapped up in too much other stuff.