Muriel Spark discussion
Favorite books, short stories, poems, or other by Spark
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I've added A Far Cry From Kensington to my list above. Loved it.
All right, who has read 'The Driver's Seat'?It is quite something. Really stings.
Just finished it.
I feel like I should wait 2 days and read it again.
In part maybe because I'm allergy-infested. But also to better appreciate her wit & style, her story-telling.
It wasn't my favorite, but I read it after seeing the film, which I didn't like (Liz Taylor as Lise. All wrong.) I may read it again one day. It was Spark's favorite, I think. I sense that you weren't crazy about the book?
No, I appreciate it more now, it wasn't what I'd expected. I have a proper review I'm writing, it's not done yet, when it is I'll post a link.I think it's brilliant.
I wasn't in love with it...but I still admire it/her--was like a very sharp jewel...that cuts.
The Driver's Seat is, without a doubt, one of the greatest things ever written. A masterpiece.
wow, high praise indeed!It is good and highly original (as is all of her work).
It completely blew me away. I originally picked it up during my quest for short, novella-length fiction; it's length was the only thing that drew me to it, I had never even heard of Spark before.
Little did I know....
Little did I know....
I had the opposite experience. I think I'd read 4 or 5 of her novels before I came across Driver's Seat. But all along I kept hearing about it, and it sounded like something I would love. Every library and used bookshop I went into I'd look for it...But it was never there. Finally, I broke down and bought it on amazon. And yes, mind-blowing...As was the first novel I read by her (Prime) and a short story. Now I have to remember which story it was though!
The first story I ever read of hers was "The House of the Famous Poet" included in an anthology of fiction by women, Women of the Century. What a strange and wonderful story it was! I knew I had to read more by Spark...
I haven't read any of her short stories yet, but I'm looking forward to doing so.
They're great as well. My local library was discarding a volume of her Collected Stories...plan to read them all.sad that a library feels a need to discard Muriel..:(
Though I have read most of her novels at least once have to confess to never having red any of her short stories though i have just got hold of a copy of her collected short stories a few months ago. My favoourite novel still remians ' memento mori ' just brilliant and witty and perfect...i like it quite a lot
on re reading thought i ought to point out i can also normally spell favourite and remains
No, I haven't. Let us know what you think (assuming you read it)?
I lost track of this thread, Jessica. I hope you're well, Jessica. I did read it. I enjoy just about anything by or about Muriel Spark.
https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2006/a...Thinking this is the season for this. The short story that started it all for Spark.
BOOKS
The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie (my introduction to Spark will always be a favorite)
Loitering With Intent
Memento Mori
The Mandelbaum Gate
SHORT STORIES
The Portobello Road
The Seraph and the Zambesi
The Black Madonna
Fortunately, there's still a lot more of Spark's fiction that I have yet to read.