I’m slightly embarrassed that I’ve not read any Spark except for The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, which I read years ago. There’s so much to choose from, what should I definitely not miss do you think?
They are all so marvellous (and short!) But I'd put in a big old word for Girls of Slender Means, Ballad of Peckham Rye and Far Cry from Kensington… enjoy!!!
Frances Wilson is such a gifted and creative biographer. I was fortunate to have her as a tutor on my MA and she made us see how many different ways there are of writing lives.
This is a fantastic introduction to why Muriel Spark's novels are so good, Laura, and instantly makes me want to reread them. And I have loved Frances Wilson's biographies since she wrote about Dorothy Wordsworth - the amazing, dramatic opening paragraph - I'm so looking forward to her new one.
Another marvellous post that made me smile with fond remembrances. Thank you Laura, though I'm sorry you are feeling stressed at the moment. Totally agree that you can't read Muriel Spark and feel depressed.
I too came to her after seeing the Brodie film and have read her on and off ever since. And right now I have a copy of 'A far cry from Kensington' which is working its way to the top of my TBR pile. (Will maybe give it a significant boost towards the top after your excellent post.)
Must look out for 'Electric Spark' - it sounds great. And how wonderful that you actually shared a room with her briefly, even if you felt the interviewer didn't really bring out the best in her. It's always wonderful to share a space with someone you are mad about - sadly in my case there's often a gap of 500 years separating us, so seeing a living, breathing person must be very special indeed.
PS Have just finished watching the new TV series about Ruth Ellis. It was all just so very sad. Thanks again for your excellent post about her too.
Thank you so much Sue. Yes do give Far Cry a push up the queue!!! It's pure delight and somehow just right for the start of spring. And Electric Spark is terrific.
Oh, absolutely loved finding this in my inbox this morning, Laura! A fellow die-hard Muriel fan, as you know, I have just been reading A Far Cry From Kensington. Like you, my first foray into her work was through Brodie, to which I've returned many times. My other favourites are Slender Means and Drivers Seat, which absolutely stunned and blew me away. There is something so instantly recognisable in her work that makes me want to have known her; the term "difficult woman" drives me mad and without fail always draws makes me realise they are the women's who's work I most love. (I am insanely envious of you hearing her speak in the flesh!!)
Thank you so much Kate, so thrilled that you enjoyed as I know you love Muriel! She was a wonderful joyful presence in the flesh, even though the event didn't live up to HER.
“The true novelist is one who understands the work as a continuous poem, is a myth-maker, and the wonder of the art resides in the endless different ways of telling a story.” I'm not sure where Spark said/wrote that, but I like to think of her as writing on a continuous poem. I'm a fan and look forward to reading this biography (some day). Thank you for alerting us to it!
Far Cry from Kensington is not only a wonderful novel; it's also one of the best titles for a novel.
I think the only one of Muriel’s books I’ve read is The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie but you have really enticed me to read more! She sounds fascinating, I love clever writers who surprise you with witty asides so subtle you might miss them! I will pick up your recommendations elsewhere in these comments but thank you so much for this informative piece. I must check out Frances Wilson too as I love reading biographies!
Lovely to read a piece by about Spark. Thank you. And you’re right to note Mrs Hawkins’ advice. Mrs Hawkins’ advice is always good advice. Sadly, writers’ cats no longer instinctively gravitate towards desk lamps because modern light bulbs are too efficient to generate heat, only light. In Spark’s time, a writer’s cat could bask under a hot Anglepoise, a study in concentration. The rise of energy efficient bulbs must partly explain the decline in writers’ ability to concentrate.
I've only ever read "Brodie" and "Territorial Rights". I should pick up the other novels of hers which you've mentioned!
After reading your piece, I went off to read about her. The strained relationship with her son made me feel sad. But then, she'd married so young, before she'd worked out what she wanted to do or to be. Could she have written what she had if she'd been busy looking after a son? Your question about "difficult women" is a good one. I don't know who the "easy women" are. I suspect even Audrey Hepburn would be described as a "difficult woman" (that "problematic" children's author called her a nasty word once, the sort of word not easily associated with her!).
Wonderful stuff Laura - yet again. I’m still travelling in Europe and I think ‘the goddess Muriel’ (great phrase) might have to come with me on tomorrow’s train.
What a treat to find a post about Muriel Spark today, but I am sorry to hear of your stress. Like you I love her delicious writing and the perfect brevity of her novels. How marvellous to have seen her and I love her line on Elizabeth Taylor. In case you don't know of it, here is a favourite clip of her https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p05wgqmr
Oh that clip. Isn't she sublime. Thank you Deborah - ! and for your lovely words (hope your own situation is better, mine is just work stress and 🤞 getting easier...)
Work stress is still horrid and I hope it settles. As someone who is particular about sketchbooks and notebooks, I loved this. Things are settling here, but sorting it all is just very tiring.
"...to direct the traffic of one's sensibility..." Marvellous observation! It takes a special kind of writer to be able to do that and present the story through a prism she hands to her reader.
How anyone with an ounce of imagination can come away from her novels without being subtly transformed (even if only temporarily) is beyond me. Thank you, Laura - the Spark canon beckons anew.
I’m slightly embarrassed that I’ve not read any Spark except for The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, which I read years ago. There’s so much to choose from, what should I definitely not miss do you think?
They are all so marvellous (and short!) But I'd put in a big old word for Girls of Slender Means, Ballad of Peckham Rye and Far Cry from Kensington… enjoy!!!
They’re on my library list now!
Frances Wilson is such a gifted and creative biographer. I was fortunate to have her as a tutor on my MA and she made us see how many different ways there are of writing lives.
This is a fantastic introduction to why Muriel Spark's novels are so good, Laura, and instantly makes me want to reread them. And I have loved Frances Wilson's biographies since she wrote about Dorothy Wordsworth - the amazing, dramatic opening paragraph - I'm so looking forward to her new one.
Thank you Ann! Yes FW is wonderful, I'm sure you will love this biog…
Another marvellous post that made me smile with fond remembrances. Thank you Laura, though I'm sorry you are feeling stressed at the moment. Totally agree that you can't read Muriel Spark and feel depressed.
I too came to her after seeing the Brodie film and have read her on and off ever since. And right now I have a copy of 'A far cry from Kensington' which is working its way to the top of my TBR pile. (Will maybe give it a significant boost towards the top after your excellent post.)
Must look out for 'Electric Spark' - it sounds great. And how wonderful that you actually shared a room with her briefly, even if you felt the interviewer didn't really bring out the best in her. It's always wonderful to share a space with someone you are mad about - sadly in my case there's often a gap of 500 years separating us, so seeing a living, breathing person must be very special indeed.
PS Have just finished watching the new TV series about Ruth Ellis. It was all just so very sad. Thanks again for your excellent post about her too.
Thank you so much Sue. Yes do give Far Cry a push up the queue!!! It's pure delight and somehow just right for the start of spring. And Electric Spark is terrific.
Oh, absolutely loved finding this in my inbox this morning, Laura! A fellow die-hard Muriel fan, as you know, I have just been reading A Far Cry From Kensington. Like you, my first foray into her work was through Brodie, to which I've returned many times. My other favourites are Slender Means and Drivers Seat, which absolutely stunned and blew me away. There is something so instantly recognisable in her work that makes me want to have known her; the term "difficult woman" drives me mad and without fail always draws makes me realise they are the women's who's work I most love. (I am insanely envious of you hearing her speak in the flesh!!)
Thank you so much Kate, so thrilled that you enjoyed as I know you love Muriel! She was a wonderful joyful presence in the flesh, even though the event didn't live up to HER.
I now want to read Loitering With Intent! Thank you for this fascinating insight.
Thank you so much Francesca. Do read it! It’s the most fascinating novel you can imagine… and very funny.
“Loitering With Intent” is on my list along with, “The Driver’s Seat.”
“The true novelist is one who understands the work as a continuous poem, is a myth-maker, and the wonder of the art resides in the endless different ways of telling a story.” I'm not sure where Spark said/wrote that, but I like to think of her as writing on a continuous poem. I'm a fan and look forward to reading this biography (some day). Thank you for alerting us to it!
Far Cry from Kensington is not only a wonderful novel; it's also one of the best titles for a novel.
Isn’t it just?!? I was fascinated to read her alternative titles in the biog - she certainly picked the best.
The quote is from Loitering with Intent. I think about it often.
I think the only one of Muriel’s books I’ve read is The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie but you have really enticed me to read more! She sounds fascinating, I love clever writers who surprise you with witty asides so subtle you might miss them! I will pick up your recommendations elsewhere in these comments but thank you so much for this informative piece. I must check out Frances Wilson too as I love reading biographies!
It's such a good biography - meanwhile hope you enjoy more Muriel, I truly think you will!!!! And thank you.
Lovely to read a piece by about Spark. Thank you. And you’re right to note Mrs Hawkins’ advice. Mrs Hawkins’ advice is always good advice. Sadly, writers’ cats no longer instinctively gravitate towards desk lamps because modern light bulbs are too efficient to generate heat, only light. In Spark’s time, a writer’s cat could bask under a hot Anglepoise, a study in concentration. The rise of energy efficient bulbs must partly explain the decline in writers’ ability to concentrate.
I've only ever read "Brodie" and "Territorial Rights". I should pick up the other novels of hers which you've mentioned!
After reading your piece, I went off to read about her. The strained relationship with her son made me feel sad. But then, she'd married so young, before she'd worked out what she wanted to do or to be. Could she have written what she had if she'd been busy looking after a son? Your question about "difficult women" is a good one. I don't know who the "easy women" are. I suspect even Audrey Hepburn would be described as a "difficult woman" (that "problematic" children's author called her a nasty word once, the sort of word not easily associated with her!).
I'm clearly going to have to give her a try..
Oh do! She’s such a joy
Wonderful stuff Laura - yet again. I’m still travelling in Europe and I think ‘the goddess Muriel’ (great phrase) might have to come with me on tomorrow’s train.
Thank you so much Gillian. Hope you're having a marvellous time!
What a treat to find a post about Muriel Spark today, but I am sorry to hear of your stress. Like you I love her delicious writing and the perfect brevity of her novels. How marvellous to have seen her and I love her line on Elizabeth Taylor. In case you don't know of it, here is a favourite clip of her https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p05wgqmr
Oh that clip. Isn't she sublime. Thank you Deborah - ! and for your lovely words (hope your own situation is better, mine is just work stress and 🤞 getting easier...)
Work stress is still horrid and I hope it settles. As someone who is particular about sketchbooks and notebooks, I loved this. Things are settling here, but sorting it all is just very tiring.
Sending all my best x
Thank you x
"...to direct the traffic of one's sensibility..." Marvellous observation! It takes a special kind of writer to be able to do that and present the story through a prism she hands to her reader.
How anyone with an ounce of imagination can come away from her novels without being subtly transformed (even if only temporarily) is beyond me. Thank you, Laura - the Spark canon beckons anew.
Yes indeed. That puts it perfectly. Thank you Rod!