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The Muse
In Georgian London, Elizabeth spends her precious free time painting watercolour flowers at the kitchen table. Art is not only an escape from the monotony of chores but a way to find a suitable husband who can give her security and a stable future. That was all she ever wanted until she met John, a talented painter with connections and patrons, who offered to take her on as a student and model for his new works.
Being given the freedom to paint what she likes, Elizabeth is quickly seduced by John’s world: art, beautiful women, wealthy patrons, and the opportunity to earn her own money by becoming London’s premiere erotic portrait artist. But her newfound freedom comes at a cost and when her business is picked up in London’s scandal papers, there’s no way to go back to the stable life she once craved.
This novel-in-verse is a scandalous and seductive love story of a young woman thrust into the indulgent world of art, sex, and money.
Being given the freedom to paint what she likes, Elizabeth is quickly seduced by John’s world: art, beautiful women, wealthy patrons, and the opportunity to earn her own money by becoming London’s premiere erotic portrait artist. But her newfound freedom comes at a cost and when her business is picked up in London’s scandal papers, there’s no way to go back to the stable life she once craved.
This novel-in-verse is a scandalous and seductive love story of a young woman thrust into the indulgent world of art, sex, and money.
170 pages, Paperback
Published May 24, 2022
2 people are currently reading
40 people want to read
About the author
Amy Ellis
8 books36 followersAmy Ellis lives in London and works in publishing. She has a BA in Creative Writing from Longwood University and a Masters in Digital Publishing from Oxford Brookes University. She enjoys writing poems, knitting, gardening, and playing with her dog.
You can find her online at amy-ellis.com or on social media @amesplaza.
You can find her online at amy-ellis.com or on social media @amesplaza.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
July 21, 2023
A stunning novel told in verse about the freedom and ruin that is absolute dedication to art. Each poem, varying in length, style, and emotion, was completely captivating and left me wanting more. The verses were so vivid, so filled with heart, and I enjoyed the character arc immensely. Highly recommended.
Than you so much to Book Sirens and Amy Ellis for the ARC!
Than you so much to Book Sirens and Amy Ellis for the ARC!
June 9, 2022
This book is about a painter, so perhaps it’s too on the nose to say that this novel really paints a picture, but it’s just too true for me not to say! I have never read a book that read this much like poetry to me, while still being a cohesive story. I also just really enjoyed reading this overall! I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Thanks BookSirens!
May 9, 2022
Let me just start by saying that the imagery, the metaphors, and some of the one-liners that were present in the poems were literally so good that I had to pause and read them again.
For example:
"The first time I walked into a gallery, I shook the afternoon off like a raincoat,
little droplets of chores and future husbands scattered along the walkway like petals."
the only thing that kind of bugged me is that some of the poem titles were actually the first line or few words of that specific poem which I liked but then the others weren't, which I would've appreciated more cause then it would've felt like an entire poem broken into several smaller ones but that is just me being picky.
Bottom line: IT'S GOOD. Like really good. I had a really great time reading this and enjoyed it a lot.
Thanks to Booksirens and Amy Ellis for the arc.
For example:
"The first time I walked into a gallery, I shook the afternoon off like a raincoat,
little droplets of chores and future husbands scattered along the walkway like petals."
the only thing that kind of bugged me is that some of the poem titles were actually the first line or few words of that specific poem which I liked but then the others weren't, which I would've appreciated more cause then it would've felt like an entire poem broken into several smaller ones but that is just me being picky.
Bottom line: IT'S GOOD. Like really good. I had a really great time reading this and enjoyed it a lot.
Thanks to Booksirens and Amy Ellis for the arc.
July 6, 2022
“I want to paint them, the ghosts of our desires, transparent like jellyfish floating—”
I went into this verse novel blind. Essentially, artist meets artist and makes her his muse and mentee. Lyrically told from the muse’s perspective (Elizabeth); we are shown realities of being a female artist in Georgian London. A courageous journey of a woman exploring love, embracing her artistic potential, and sexuality without a safety net. The poems bloom like flowers despite the looming patriarchal thunderstorm. Intoxicating, exhilarating, and stirring!!
I could not stop reading this book. Brought me tremendous happiness to be reading this in summer time! Perfect mood read. Many thanks to Amy Ellis for the ebook in exchange for an honest review.
I went into this verse novel blind. Essentially, artist meets artist and makes her his muse and mentee. Lyrically told from the muse’s perspective (Elizabeth); we are shown realities of being a female artist in Georgian London. A courageous journey of a woman exploring love, embracing her artistic potential, and sexuality without a safety net. The poems bloom like flowers despite the looming patriarchal thunderstorm. Intoxicating, exhilarating, and stirring!!
I could not stop reading this book. Brought me tremendous happiness to be reading this in summer time! Perfect mood read. Many thanks to Amy Ellis for the ebook in exchange for an honest review.
April 17, 2022
I would never have thought that a novel told in verse would appeal to me as I do like poetry but I have these literary forms pigeonholed in my head as different and which, as such, should not mix. However, having read a previous story told in verse with an ancient Greek origin, which perhaps is more suited to this genre hybrid from its heritage, I was delighted by Amy Ellis' The Muse and found myself captivated by the story of Elizabeth Miller in a way that surprised me.
Elizabeth loves to draw and when she is discovered by someone called John who aims to nurture her talent, her life changes inordinately as she discovers a love for the human form and her ability to capture it through her art. Not all around her approve of her talent, seeing it as seedy and depraved but Elizabeth, through Ellis' narrative verse describes what to her is something of which she is passionate and feels is true, in the sense that she sees no harm in it. However, society and its attitudes against what could be perceived as something far more than the mere appreciation of the body require it to be kept secret.
There was a romanticism to the verse that I loved. It is a very different experience to read a story like this through poetry rather than a prose narrative, almost like seeing Miller's life through a veil where she offers us glimpses of different aspects, like her dropping thoughts that she wants us to see; vignettes of encounters and experiences, episodic almost. All of these combine to create a collage of her life and it is difficult not to feel the sensuality of it, the danger of doing something forbidden and yet, enjoying the process so much that it is instinctive to you, so much so that the contemplation of something else feels alien.
In addition to the painting, it is also a novel about love, passion and attachment, all of which can have a bearing on how one conducts one's life to varying degrees and with varying impacts.
I was touched by this book. I will definitely read more of Amy Ellis' work and can only hope that it replicates the feeling that I had on my reading of The Muse.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Elizabeth loves to draw and when she is discovered by someone called John who aims to nurture her talent, her life changes inordinately as she discovers a love for the human form and her ability to capture it through her art. Not all around her approve of her talent, seeing it as seedy and depraved but Elizabeth, through Ellis' narrative verse describes what to her is something of which she is passionate and feels is true, in the sense that she sees no harm in it. However, society and its attitudes against what could be perceived as something far more than the mere appreciation of the body require it to be kept secret.
There was a romanticism to the verse that I loved. It is a very different experience to read a story like this through poetry rather than a prose narrative, almost like seeing Miller's life through a veil where she offers us glimpses of different aspects, like her dropping thoughts that she wants us to see; vignettes of encounters and experiences, episodic almost. All of these combine to create a collage of her life and it is difficult not to feel the sensuality of it, the danger of doing something forbidden and yet, enjoying the process so much that it is instinctive to you, so much so that the contemplation of something else feels alien.
In addition to the painting, it is also a novel about love, passion and attachment, all of which can have a bearing on how one conducts one's life to varying degrees and with varying impacts.
I was touched by this book. I will definitely read more of Amy Ellis' work and can only hope that it replicates the feeling that I had on my reading of The Muse.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
May 11, 2022
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
As a reader of many things, I don't often find myself reaching for poetry. Sure, I'm a high school English teacher, but that doesn't mean I read poetry for fun. However, "The Muse" changed my mind of that. I was surprised that I enjoyed the poetic format of a novel so much. I have never read a novel in verse before, and Ellis did a great job of integrating the story with the prose. The premise of the book is what propelled me through this book, devouring it quickly. Elizabeth is such an interesting character that I was waiting for her to blossom (and was so excited when she did).
But. What kept me from giving this book a 5 stars was the lack of... something. What did I take away from the book to bring with me? Did this book really show me that I should do whatever it takes to do what I love, based on the ending? The episodic nature of the poem-stories left me wanting more. Maybe that's actually a good thing, and me wanting closure means that I truly fell in love with Elizabeth's story.
As a reader of many things, I don't often find myself reaching for poetry. Sure, I'm a high school English teacher, but that doesn't mean I read poetry for fun. However, "The Muse" changed my mind of that. I was surprised that I enjoyed the poetic format of a novel so much. I have never read a novel in verse before, and Ellis did a great job of integrating the story with the prose. The premise of the book is what propelled me through this book, devouring it quickly. Elizabeth is such an interesting character that I was waiting for her to blossom (and was so excited when she did).
But. What kept me from giving this book a 5 stars was the lack of... something. What did I take away from the book to bring with me? Did this book really show me that I should do whatever it takes to do what I love, based on the ending? The episodic nature of the poem-stories left me wanting more. Maybe that's actually a good thing, and me wanting closure means that I truly fell in love with Elizabeth's story.
April 28, 2022
The premise of the story is what grabbed my attention. I love the art world, past and present. My mother was an artist and I know the difficulties that she encountered with her art. Loving what she did and what she did to get recognized. The way the story was written was interesting. The reader can feel all the emotions that the characters go through. I could feel the passion the author put into writing this story. An excellent read.
May 13, 2022
The format of this as a series of poems works well with the idea that we are being shown portraits from a life. There’s no spare detail, just impressions.
May 23, 2022
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This book wasn’t for me. I love poetry and I love narrative fiction poetry but, for me, this book missed the mark.
This book wasn’t for me. I love poetry and I love narrative fiction poetry but, for me, this book missed the mark.
February 14, 2023
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I have a taste for anything out of the ordinary and willingness to read experimental fiction. Nonetheless, when I opened “The Muse” I had misgivings about a novel told entirely in verse, narrative fiction poetry. But I persisted and found myself enjoying the story of a young woman artist in Georgian London who becomes the scandalous erotic portraitist of her day. The world of art fascinates me, and this was a new perspective, told in lush imagery and occasional lines of pure beauty.
Not to say that there weren’t lines that clunked, where I was jerked from a countryside cottage in France to the present day. For example, a mention of thrift shops, “breath” instead of “breathed.”
But all in all, a good read for a special mood. This will not be to everyone’s taste, but what book is?
I have a taste for anything out of the ordinary and willingness to read experimental fiction. Nonetheless, when I opened “The Muse” I had misgivings about a novel told entirely in verse, narrative fiction poetry. But I persisted and found myself enjoying the story of a young woman artist in Georgian London who becomes the scandalous erotic portraitist of her day. The world of art fascinates me, and this was a new perspective, told in lush imagery and occasional lines of pure beauty.
Not to say that there weren’t lines that clunked, where I was jerked from a countryside cottage in France to the present day. For example, a mention of thrift shops, “breath” instead of “breathed.”
But all in all, a good read for a special mood. This will not be to everyone’s taste, but what book is?
August 9, 2022
Beautiful imagery.
January 12, 2024
The Muse is a verse novel set in Georgian London. Elizabeth Miller, a young woman with a natural talent for drawing, meets an artist called John. He encourages her to paint and she becomes a much in demand erotic portrait artist. But then her activity comes to the attention of the scandal sheets.
It’s a novel about the liberating power of art and also the consequences of following your vocation and passions in a censorious and blinkered society. The central theme - the artist’s vision in conflict with the mores of society - is a familiar one, but The Muse is made distinctive by the quality of the writing which is, appropriately, highly visual. It’s full of arresting images and playfully inventive metaphors. Each poem advances the narrative or delineates character but is also satisfying in itself. I found myself lingering over some of the poems before moving on, seduced by the imagery. I won’t quote favourite lines, as the poems should be experienced in their entirety, but I do encourage you to read this sensuous, affecting and original work.
It’s a novel about the liberating power of art and also the consequences of following your vocation and passions in a censorious and blinkered society. The central theme - the artist’s vision in conflict with the mores of society - is a familiar one, but The Muse is made distinctive by the quality of the writing which is, appropriately, highly visual. It’s full of arresting images and playfully inventive metaphors. Each poem advances the narrative or delineates character but is also satisfying in itself. I found myself lingering over some of the poems before moving on, seduced by the imagery. I won’t quote favourite lines, as the poems should be experienced in their entirety, but I do encourage you to read this sensuous, affecting and original work.
May 17, 2022
I wasn’t sure I was going to like a novel in verse when I started reading it but it actually gripped me from the start and really flowed all through. The whole novel is so descriptive although it seems like there’s not many words to it at all. A really enjoyable read.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
April 11, 2022
This novel-in-verse tells the story of a young woman who uses her talent for painting to carve out a space for herself in the male-dominated field of portraiture. The lines of this book are stunning, truly a feast for the senses, equal parts empowerment and devastation.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews