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Muse Mary Novik 9780385668217 Books

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Muse Mary Novik 9780385668217 Books

Mary Novik is an author that I just recently discovered. She is new to begin with, “Conceit” being her first novel and “Muse” the second. I own the first book too, but I was more drawn to “Muse” when it came to the plot. I found the novel to be very good, as the other reviews had described. I loved the character of Solange, so innocent, so beautiful, yet so flawed and vulnerable. Sometimes you love characters more when you see that they are not perfect. Here is a woman who should be down and out with the way the world has kicked her around, but she can think of doing nothing but getting up brushing herself off and moving on with every fall she takes.

I don’t want to give anything away about the plot, I’ll just restate at what a satisfying read it was. You will fall in love with the characters, hate those that should be hated, and wish it could have gone on for another 300 pages. You may have to imagine your own ending. Enjoy!


Tags : Muse [Mary Novik] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Richly engaging historical adventure in the vein of The Winter Palace </i>and The Malice of Fortune</i>.   Muse</i> is the story of the charismatic woman who was the inspiration behind Petrarch's sublime love poetry. Solange Le Blanc begins life in the tempestuous streets of 14th century Avignon,Mary Novik,Muse,Doubleday Canada,038566821X,Fiction Historical

Muse Mary Novik 9780385668217 Books Reviews

Muse is Mary Novik's second novel; a story about a young woman named Solange LeBlanc who was born to a harlot in 14th century. She becomes orphaned and sent into a Benedictine convent. There, the nuns believe her to be gifted as a visionary. Her clairvoyant dreams raise her status while also bringing danger from those who are superstitious. After an attack, Solange escapes the confines of religious life, and sets out on her own to make a living copying books with her beautiful penmanship. It is then that she meets Petrarch and becomes the inspiration behind many of his poems. Petrarch, however, is obsessed with his growing fame and leaves her behind with limited funds to pursue his career among the rich and noble. Unmarried and pregnant with Petrarch's son, Solange gives birth in diminishing circumstances. When Petrarch learns about his son, he kidnaps him, spurning a desperate search by Solange to find him.

Muse is an epic story with a powerful, resilient heroine at its centre. The author excels at bringing to life the political and social atmosphere of the times, including those pertaining to the French Pope to whom Solange becomes an advisor. Written with a compelling voice, this is a gripping story of a young woman who rises above the hardships of her time.
I have at times expressed my enjoyment of historical novels, yet... I don't really pick them up very often. I have to be in a certain mood to really enjoy them. That is usually when I am on vacation, or have a weekend on my own with no distractions where I can really focus on stories like these.

'Muse' was certainly an intriguing novel, filled with court drama and the injustices of being female in an era that really treated women like crap. Solange is no exception, even though she attracts the attentions of a romantic, dashing and poetic soul who is, unfortunately, easily swayed by the promises of power. Petrarch was irritating to me, and his fickle love left a lot to be desired.

Unfortunately for Solange, even though she becomes a personal confidante to the Pope himself, the powers afforded to her are merely an illusion. Understanding that there was envy aimed towards her was a laughable concept the price she had to pay to bear this 'power' and influence. In this novel it was clear - whether poor or wearing the finest gowns and jewellery - the chains were ever present, tight and heavy, leaving their mark on the soul.

Mary Novik writes eloquently and with a beautiful style that has me curious about her other novels. Though there was not enough focus on Solange's abilities to satisfy me, there certainly was enough drama and misfortune to keep me intrigued to the end. I would certainly recommend this novel to fans of historical fiction.
Michael Bassey Johnson, a Nigerian Poet, Playwright, Novelist, Aphorist, Satirist, caricaturist and a Newspaper columnist, quoted remarkably about "carnal joy" as

“Once you are defiled, you can't get back your purity by any means, instead, you will only look for ways to be defiled over and over again.”

Mary Novik, an Canadian award-winning author, spun a spectacular tale, called, Muse, tells us the life-story of a orphan girl, named, Solange Le Blanc, in the 14th century, anti-women society in Avignon in France.

Synopsis
Solange Le Blanc begins life in the tempestuous streets of 14th century Avignon, a city of men dominated by the Pope and his palace. When her mother, a harlot, dies in childbirth, Solange is raised by Benedictines who believe she has the gift of clairvoyance. Trained as a scribe, but troubled by disturbing visions and tempted by a more carnal life, she escapes to Avignon, where she becomes entangled in a love triangle with the poet Petrarch, becoming not only his muse but also his lover.

Later, when her gift for prophecy catches the Pope's ear, Solange becomes Pope Clement VI's mistress and confidante in the most celebrated court in Europe. When the plague kills a third of Avignon's population, Solange is accused of sorcery and is forced once again to reinvent herself and fight against a final, mortal conspiracy.

Period 14th century, Place Avignon, France
This was the period when women were destined either to be an abbess of the church or someone's wife or everybody's harlot.
This was the only place in the world where seven successive popes resided other than Rome.
The author, Mary Novik, who is a truly remarkable author, painted the picture of this commune town so gorgeously and vividly. While reading this book, I can bet that you will feel like you are standing by the canal just outside the main town of Avignon and observing the people intently, moreover, you'll even time-travel back in the 14th century, when the streets of Avignon filled with poets and courtesans, nuns, benedicts, etc. In short, you will transport yourself to a culturally rich society.

Her protagonist, Solange, is vulnerable yet strong enough to challenge the norms of the society. However, Solange portrayed as an exemplary figure in the society, but because of her ability to stand up against the tide, made her an outcast in her own birth-land. The whole story, told from her perspective, made us realize how brave she was to handle all her hurdles in a men-dominated society. Another aspect of Solange that will strike you remarkably was her ability to enjoy her carnal pleasures freely without shame. She betrothed herself with her lover, Petrarch and later to claim power in the society, she became the mistress of Pope Clement VI. She was the only woman who wanted to earn her bread and butter by becoming a professional scribe, but the 14th century Avignon was not right place for her. Instead, she used her sexuality to claim back to power.

The author's emphatic prose will completely bewitch you. Moreover, the author unfolded Solange's life-story filled with mysteries, danger, challenges and many unexpected twists, thus making the plot very intriguing to read. The narration is easy, simple, and free flowing and that makes it easy to read the story. Moreover, the supporting characters, though portrayed as flawed, will still make an impression upon your minds. While reading the book, you cannot turn away your eyes from the vivid darkness surrounding the plot.

Verdict A must read for all women of all ages, and for the historical fiction lovers, this historically-rich book will only allure your soul and mind.
I rated this 5 stars because the story was intriguing and the words filled with wonderful images. Loved this book!
All went well.
Nicely researched historical novel about my namesake.
Mary Novik is an author that I just recently discovered. She is new to begin with, “Conceit” being her first novel and “Muse” the second. I own the first book too, but I was more drawn to “Muse” when it came to the plot. I found the novel to be very good, as the other reviews had described. I loved the character of Solange, so innocent, so beautiful, yet so flawed and vulnerable. Sometimes you love characters more when you see that they are not perfect. Here is a woman who should be down and out with the way the world has kicked her around, but she can think of doing nothing but getting up brushing herself off and moving on with every fall she takes.

I don’t want to give anything away about the plot, I’ll just restate at what a satisfying read it was. You will fall in love with the characters, hate those that should be hated, and wish it could have gone on for another 300 pages. You may have to imagine your own ending. Enjoy!