David Czuchlewski

After "The Nixie's Song," I really needed to pick up and read something that would get the bad taste out of my mouth and I certainly did with "The Muse Asylum." Recommended to me by Jill (Mrstreme) who knows my taste in books so well, I quickly immersed myself in the words of this first-time author who had been mentored by Joyce Carol Oates (although I personally don't care for her writing, I knew that the writing had to be top notch). The telling of the story alternates between journalist Jake Burnett and the writings of Andrew Wallace who just happens to be the resident of a psychiatric hospital. Both men's lives have been affected by a reclusive author by the name of Horace Jacob Little who no one has ever seen, nor has the author ever granted an interview. Both men also are in love with the same woman, Lara Knowles. The author takes you on a journey of discovery for both men that leaves the reader with a satisfying end to the tale...can't say too much more...just know that if you have enjoyed "The Keep" and most any Chuck Palahniuk book you will not be disappointed.… (más)

Perhaps when you’re mentored by Joyce Carol Oates, you are destined for greatness. I think that’s the case for young writer, David Czuchlewski, who nailed a fantastic story in his debut novel, The Muse Asylum.

Jake Burnett is a recent Princeton grad, assigned by his newspaper editor to discover the secret identity of famed writer, Horace Jacob Little. Little has lived a J.D. Salinger-like life. He is totally secluded, never been photographed and will not grant media interviews. Burnett has his work cut out for him.

While at a party, he stumbles into an old flame, Lara, who asks for his help in passing along a letter to her old boyfriend, Andrew, who is institutionalized at “The Muse Asylum” – a psychiatric hospital for the creatively gifted. Andrew, while at Princeton, became obsessed with Horace Jacob Little’s writing. In his thesis, Andrew proposed that the real Little was killed shortly after publishing his first works and that an imposter was writing under Little’s name for many years. Having discovered Little’s “secret,” Andrew spirals into paranoid delusion, believing that Little is out to get him, sending spies to follow him around campus and tapping his phone and dorm room.

Czuchlewski’s story takes you through the mind of Andrew, which I found very fascinated. Andrew’s obsession with Little destroyed his college career, love life and ability to function in society. His mental illness is depicted with love and sympathy. I found myself rooting for Andrew to find the magic formula of medicine and therapy to help him.

The Muse Asylum is an exhilarating ride. I finished it in about three sittings; I was so enthralled with the story line that I had a hard time putting it down. I will warn you that there are several literary allusions in this novel, and I found having my laptop around with Wikipedia launched was very helpful, especially with the references to the poetry of Dante and Wilfred Owen. If you like shock endings (Jodi Picoult) or psychological mysteries (Chuck Palahniuk), you will love The Muse Asylum. But even if don’t, I would still recommend The Muse Asylum. It’s a great book from a promising young author.… (más)