Gritty story

11:48am Thursday 28th August 2008

MUSE

Susan Irvine (Quercus, £14.99)

Susan Irvine's début centres on the meltdown of a young stylist after a life-changing trip to Paris. Naomi Price spends a week with the beautiful Sylvie and Sergei, living her life to the full and letting her imagination lead her on. She meets Eric, a shy hotel porter, who starts to send her romantic letters and poems.

Back at home, she realises that nothing is a constant - first she loses her job at the magazine and then she ends her long-term relationship. Eric continues to write. But what cost, being his muse?

The novel is young and gritty, electric in its high moments. The reader is caught between the grim realism of Naomi's collapse and the glamour of her ongoing freelance work.

Muse is a pleasure to read because Irvine is a dynamic and creative writer. She lets the reader glimpse at Eric's poetry and Naomi's painstaking translations. She also imitates fashion copy with a satirical eye. All the dialogue is subtle and natural.

Best of all are Naomi's messy, drug-seasoned weekends, described in a gorgeous and erratic style. Irvine is clearly a versatile and innovative prose writer.

The eclectic form of the novel makes it frustrating at times - I found that the philosophical patter sometimes went on too long and certain sentences leave you feeling lost. But if you can get carried away in the atmosphere of the story, your dedication will be rewarded. Muse is a lush and intriguing read for anyone avoiding saccharine chick-lit this summer.

Editor's choice