“Rollicking … Almost too much fun to read.” — Maureen Corrigan, NPR's Fresh Air
“Stylish writing … a clear-eyed view .. cherry-picked examples.” — USA Today
“With elegance, eloquence and majesty, Prose has give us a glimpse of the tangled webs of art and Eros.” — Atlanta Journal-Constitution
“Refreshing … a wonderful work of revisionist biography.” — Kirkus Reviews
“A wonderful combination of argument and literary portraiture.” — Wall Street Journal
“Prose has done a great service in her just reconsideration of the rather strange, complicated role of the muse.” — San Francisco Chronicle Book Review
“Juicy reading …. a thoroughly researched, highly opinionated series of fascinating double biographies.” — Los Angeles Times Book Review
“A supple work of cultural history.” — Time magazine
“Sad, glamorous and entirely riveting.” — Newsweek
“Francine Prose humanizes nine women who, in some cases, have been idealized beyond recognition. Hurrah for real women.” — San Francisco Chronicle
“Entertaining … Prose’s indignation, intelligence, scorching wit and critical insight have full play.” — Washington Post Book World
“A remarkable book...piquant, intelligent, provocative--and sometimes haunting.” — Minneapolis Star Tribune
“Prose make a remarkable case for the exceptionality of these women in their own right.” — Publishers Weekly (starred review)
“Exceptionally well researched … an elegant study.” — Book Forum
“Lively and compassionate” — Entertainment Weekly
“Richly drawn … Prose approaches the artist-muse relationship with respect and wonder.” — Gotham Magazine
“Prose taps into the power of nine in this inspired book.” — Art News
“Packed with fascinating details.” — Columbus Dispatch
“Smooth smart and altogether engaging.” — Atlanta Journal Constitution