The Tenth Muse

Lily G. Stephen

One reader's comment: "I search for soaring works in fiction that expand our possibilities and offer wisdom in refreshing contexts. I found such a work in The Tenth Muse."

In a modern mythological tale that crosses apparent boundaries of reality and illusion, The Tenth Muse portrays the developing years of Opal Courtright, a child of Planet Earth, and Sapphire Deland of Planet Zamora. In their parallel worlds, are they just two girls leading unusual lives? What subtle influences lie behind their gradual arc toward each other's destiny?

This, the first volume in The Third Verse Trilogy, employs a symphony of awakening, vision, and fusion as a reminder to look beyond routine conceptualizations into the vivid essence simultaneously present within the gnat and the galaxy. Its themes prompt memories of our greater possibilities. The unfolding events that bring Opal and Sapphire to face the stunning emergence of Planet Lamartine's The Tenth Muse compel the reader to reconsider commonly held concepts of what may appear to perish and what appears to be indestructible.

Another reader calls The Tenth Muse "a literary box of truffles one longs to spend the day with." In endings are new beginnings. Watch for the forthcoming second volume in The Third Verse Trilogy: The Eleventh Hour.

Review by Paul Lappen (260104) Rating (9/10)

Review by Paul Lappen
This is the story of two young girls on the brink of maturity. Opal Courtright is a citizen of present-day Earth, and Sapphire Deland is a citizen of Planet Zamora, a place which is, and isn't, a lot like Earth.
Unaware of each other's existence, the connection between them grows stronger. Sapphire does some rock climbing, and Opal has a dream about rock climbing, something she has never done before.

Both girls are very much into art, the sort of art that is far beyond the abilities of the average teenager. Sapphire takes private lessons from Mr. Sukosi, who recently lost his only child, Sandra (also Sapphire's best friend), in a bus accident. Both girls have their paintings shown in local art galleries. They deal with the usual growing-up issues, like friends, parents and school.

Opal is being stalked by a couple of older people (rumours of a satanic cult), and Sapphire has attracted the attention of Ben, a young man of dubious reputation. Both girls go to the same place (on their respective worlds), a set of cliffs high above the ocean, for some seashore painting. Unfortunate things happen, and Opal and Sapphire both fall off the cliffs, but they don't die. While still in the air, and in front of witnesses, both girls disintegrate into nothingness.

Their souls (essences?) are taken to a higher state of consciousness on a planet called Lamartine. They are combined into one being, along with a famous figure from Greek history called Sappho. Another being from Lamartine, a former human called Branicor, is sent to Earth and Zamora to reassure both sets of loved ones that their daughters aren't exactly gone, but that their terrestrial existence is over.

An openness to New Age thinking, like crystals and Eastern philosophy, is a requirement when reading this book. For those people, this is a special story and a must read. Part one of a trilogy; it is a very heartwarming piece of writing.
Paul Lappen (26th January 2004)