Muses: Revealing the Nature of Inspiration

by Julia Forster

Muses have fascinated for millennia, yet seldom receive as much exposure as the artistic geniuses they inspire. New science places much emphasis on the role of the observer as the catalyst or creator of reality, offering here a fresh perspective on what happened when Lewis Carroll played with Alice Liddell, when Rainer Maria Rilke dreamt of Lou Andreas Salome, or when John Lennon wrote for his one and only Yoko Ono. An interconnected, quantum view of the world is used to explain the magic of muses, and can also be used to channel inspiration more prominently into everyday life. Featuring a bite-sized chronology of muses from ancient Greece to the 21st century, and exploding the myth that muses are always women, the book finishes with a scientific look at the future of inspiration. 

Genres: Art

160 pages, Hardcover

First published June 1, 2007

Reviews

[Jeslyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Derivative overall
Had an interesting premise but was too much breadth and not enoguh depth. Also personal grievance with the sometimes over-romanticized view of what an artist is about - very much feeds into the cliche of someone burdened by genius, to which I would recommend they read about Nietszhe's views about the role of 'divine inspiration' in art.

Had some interesting ties - ex to Gnosticism, quantum physics??? (which I am getting my friend studying that to double check). Also potentially unfair towards the author but I also think her background as an amateur blog writer is to be considered.

Overall, a tight, quick read and perhaps interesting to be introduced to notable historical figures in different art movements but at the most will only be effective as this kind of launching board.

[Bohemian Book Lover · Rating 4 out of 5]

*Men & women have found their inspiration from the most
*Unexpected of
*Sources, but most
*Especially from each other. This interesting & informative book
*Showcases the inspired (yet not always inspiring) lives & examples of famous poets, writers, artists & creatives in brief, anecdotal chapters; concluding with a fascinating look at the connection between inspiration & the fields of quantum mechanics, physics & science.

[Angie Bennett · Rating 5 out of 5]

The audible is delightful.

[Lucretia Lixandru · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent book, makes a wonderful lecture for the art lovers, but not only. Beautifully written and carefully documented, wish it had a second volume.

[Elisha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good as an introduction, but a bit too simplistic for me!

[Renee Pelletier · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute review of a concept. A good starting off point if you want to think more about muses, not complete and not meant to be.

[Terena Scott · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall an interesting idea for a book. Well written and informative, but the last chapter on the future transformation of the idea of a muse got a bit convaluted.