Few years back whilst reading the reviews of the books by some journalists in a leading publication, I found the story of fiction - MINIACHARIST very appealing. A debut novel, written by the author Jessica Burton won her the recognition of a distinguished writer and `book of the year award by Waterstones and Specsavers National book award. The book sold a million copies in 37 countries and has been adapted for TV series. She is an English writer and actress, as of 2017 has published two novels. Born in 1982, she studied English Literature at Oxford and resides at forest Hill, London.
Her second book `the muse` is selected by the `City Read`, a giant group of the capital London and is being read and explored in many libraries and groups.
The main character Odelle, arrived from Trinidad with an aspiration to be a writer but she writes only when told to, just to please others. Her self-analysis, nudged by `Quik` results in her writing a story, which gets published. Here, the author displays her remarkable observation of human nature which seems prevalent. Though, I myself wished, I started writing when someone told me and my second story I wrote won second prize in the competition held by California based Gujarati Sahitya group(the entries were many countries including India, some from established known writers).
The intricate double plot story in `The Muse` is woven exceedingly well, around the painter, paintings, and a writer. Her expertise, creating the suspense keeps the reader`s curiosity throughout with twists, romance and art.
The main theme of the novel is the lack of respect for women`s creativity. Olive has a great talent for painting. Her father holds contempt for her talent, so she hides her paintings and allows her father an art dealer to sell them, making him believe a male friend had painted them!! Odelle suffers disparaged as a black woman writer. Burton has succeeded exceedingly well, in describing Spanish war on the door step, turning humans to callous beings, it is heart wrenching.
A fascinating book with unanticipated end.
Ila Kapadia
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