A witty tale of the book world, writers, muses and the vagaries of the intellectual mind, this short debut novel by a veteran US publisher and accomplished poet might appear lightweight at first, but its layers unwrap slowly and deliciously to offer wonderful characters and a torrent of subtleties tinged with knowing humour. For an ex-publisher like myself, MUSE is a particular delight as it evokes memories of a vety particular trade in which high art and commerce have always coexisted uncomfortably and it's easy to put actual names to many characters inspired by reality, but such previous knowledge is not necessary as the innocent reader can equally enjoy this fluid tale of writing rivalry, inspiration, professional jealousy and the roots of creativity as if an amusing tale of human foibles by the likes of Nabokov was unfolding. A most elegant entertainment. ~ Maxim Jakubowski
Muse is a love letter to the heroic days when books were ink-and-paper, publishers were outsize, outrageous personalities, and authors were gods and goddesses. Homer Stern and Sterling Wainwright are two old-school New York publishing grandees, professional enemies and life-long rivals over the work-and affection-of the beautiful and elusive Ida Perkins, one of America's great poets. When a young editor who works for Homer gets hold of Ida's last manuscript, mayhem ensues.Publishing veteran Jonathan Galassi's elegy for a disappearing era in our culture is hilarious, wise and deeply affecting, a thought-provoking meditation on love and work that reverberates in many directions.