MUSE

In his first novel, well-respected poet and editor Jonathan Galassi offers a lively story of smart people who love language and books. Galassi's spikily tender send-up of the publishing world is fortunate to have a narrator with Arthur Morey's keen sensibilities. Morey delivers a first-rate performance, building plausible characters who range from self-serving to heroic. Publishers are flocking to publish young hot-ticket poet Ida Perkins. Publishers flocking? Hot-ticket poet? It seems Perkins is the exception to the rule. Her poetry has mass public appeal. Sounds like a fairy tale, but the novel reminds us that there was a time--before the digital age--when soon-to-be-literary-giants were scouted by the publishing industry and poetry was important. Morey makes Galassi's debut memorable listening. S.J.H. © AudioFile 2015, Portland, Maine [Published: AUGUST 2015]