The Muse Asylum: Summary and book reviews of The Muse Asylum by David Czuchlewski, plus links to an excerpt from The Muse Asylum and a biography of David Czuchlewski.

The lives of three recent Princeton graduates--Jake Burnett, a reporter for a small Manhattan weekly; Andrew Wallace, a troubled genius convinced of worldwide conspiracies and cover-ups; and Lara Knowles, ex-girlfriend to both--weave together in a search to uncover the identity of the reclusive master of the modern novel, Horace Jacob Little. A violent act lands Andrew in the Overlook Psychiatric Institute, also known as the Muse Asylum, a haven for the artistically gifted with mental illness. He spends his days working on his autobiography, the story of the Horace Jacob Little conspiracy, and his own efforts to protect his true love, Lara, from the dangerous author. But when Jake--trying to make a name for himself by unmasking Horace Jacob Little--goes to visit Andrew, he finds himself caught in a game of cat and mouse, where victim becomes stalker and hunter becomes prey. After Jake inadvertently sets him onto the trail of the author, Andrew spirals deeper into madness. And only then does Jake fathom the author's secret, and the lengths to which Horace Jacob Little will go to protect it. Part love story and part journey into the psychology of genius, The Muse Asylum is a tale of stunning reversals and reflections in a world where things are never quite what they seem.

Media Reviews

Publishers Weekly Genius and madness blur in a daring, self-consciously literary debut that runs circles around the postmodern chestnut, the death of the author, to speculate on the murderous theft of an author's identity.....[T]he novel is well plotted, with nuanced characters and real intellectual heft. Czuchlewski is a writer to watch.   Publishers Weekly Genius and madness blur in a daring, self-consciously literary debut that runs circles around the postmodern chestnut, the death of the author, to speculate on the murderous theft of an author's identity.....[T]he novel is well plotted, with nuanced characters and real intellectual heft. Czuchlewski is a writer to watch.   Kirkus Reviews Czuchlewski keeps us guessing throughout an elegantly crafted psychological thriller in which this first-time novelist also manages the notoriously difficult feat of summarizing Horace Jacob Little's (Dantesque and Borgesian) short stories and novels in a manner that convinces us they're the products of a strange, possibly insane genius. And there's a stunning final turn of the screw in the closing pages. A fabulous debut. Look for big things from this new writer. He's the genuine article.   Kirkus Reviews Czuchlewski keeps us guessing throughout an elegantly crafted psychological thriller in which this first-time novelist also manages the notoriously difficult feat of summarizing Horace Jacob Little's (Dantesque and Borgesian) short stories and novels in a manner that convinces us they're the products of a strange, possibly insane genius. And there's a stunning final turn of the screw in the closing pages. A fabulous debut. Look for big things from this new writer. He's the genuine article. Joyce Carol Oates The Muse Asylum is an ingeniously plotted postmodernist mystery that introduces a young writer of exceptional gifts. David Czuchlewski writes with imagination, vision, and style.

Recent Reader Reviews

Rated of 5 by Chelsea Nadeau
One of my most favourite books; great for (advanced) young adult readers. I'm 16 and I'm considering The Muse Asylum for my 11 English book review. Couldn't put it down! :-)

Rated of 5 by Eggers Fan
The Muse Asylum was an excellent read. It is one of my boyfriend's favourite books. He had been trying to get me to read it for ages and when I finally did, I was not dissapointed. I enjoyed it because though it is not a difficult read (I...   Read More

Rated of 5 by Jean-Claude
thanks!
This book did start me to read again. I read it in one day: I couldn't stop. Strange story, well writen, beautiful descriptions!

Rated of 5 by Anonymous
Beautifully well-wriiten!

Rated of 5 by Patricia M.
Character development is key in a novel of this sort and it is done effortlessly by Czuchlewski. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a story told from different and previously overlooked dimensions. A very impressive debut!

Rated of 5 by Justin Booker
I think it sucked! Plain and simple.

...1 More Reader Reviews

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