Title: Evocative, provocative vignettes of fascinating women
Review: In "The Lives of the Muses," Francine Prose uses 9 brief biographical vignettes to explore what it means to be a great man's muse. She shows how the role of muse has evolved along with women's societal roles, and how intense artist-muse relationships, marked by longing and obsession, take their toll on muse and artist alike. The women, and their relationships with the men they helped make famous, are so diverse that at times the book is a bit disjointed, but overall it succeeds well. Prose is hardly an unbiased observer; it is clear what she thinks of each of her subjects, and her opinionated stance makes an interesting subject that much more lively.
Is this product review negative?