I recently discovered on Danielle’s blog that Simon from Stuck in a Book organizes a Muriel Spark week in April. I have only read two of her novels so far, The Girls of Slender Means and The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie. I liked them both a lot but think I preferred The Girls of Slender Means which is set in London during WWII. It is more touching and has one of the most memorable endings ever. The Prime of Miss Brodie is excellent too and quite funny.
Going over my piles I discovered that I had two unread books by her. Unfortunately not the one that Simon likes best, Loitering with Intent.
The ones I have got are The Go-Away Bird and Other Stories and Territorial Rights which is set in Venice.
Which is your favourite Muriel Spark novel? Will you join as well? Here are the details Muriel Spark Week
Beauty is a Sleeping Cat 
I’ve read several Spark novels. Lost count, but she’s a great favourite. I’m not sure which one is my favourite but I’ll try to join in with this as all I need is an excuse to pick up another by this marvellous author. The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie seems to be the one everyone talks about but it’s not the best IMO.
I really loved The Girls of Slender Means. Simon thinks that Loitering with Intent is the best, Ive heard that as well. I liked The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie but I’m sure there are other. I’m glad you will join too. I’m looking forward to the review. I’m not sure I’ll read bot of the books I got. I’d like to try the stories.
Not sure which one I’ll pick as I have a load of her books here.
I wasn’t even aware that she was that prolific. I’m looking forward to see what you will choose. Altough my own pile may grow again…
I have not read anything by Spark, so I was considering joining in. I will have to see what April brings. 🙂
Kailana, the good thing is that her books are all around 200 pages. Miss Jean Brodie is even shorter. I hope you will join.
I’m interested in reading another of her books. I hoped Guy would recommend one.
I guess Amazon is going to choose for me, I want a kindle edition. I read The Prime of Miss Brodie in paperback and British English is still difficult for me, (struggling with Beryl Bainbridge right now) I’d rather have an electronic version for the automatic dictionary.
So I have a choice to make between Memento Mori or Aiding and Abetting. I’ll see what other commenters say.
So will join? That’s wonderful. It’s still far away and the books are short. I would have liked to get his input. Beryl Bainbrdige is more difficult I’d say than Muriel Spark. I think I read Memento Mori is very good. As usual I’m not in the mood for the two I have but would like to read Loitering with Intent.
I can’t promise I’ll post the right week but I’ll join.
That’s nice. I miss you.
How kind of you to say so.
I’d like to participate too. I’ve never read a Muriel Spark novel, even though The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie has been on my list for a long time.
I know that Graham Greene (one of my favorite authors) thought very highly of her and offered his assistance in getting her work published. That must have been a powerful recommendation.
That would be so nice, Jacquelin. I didn’t know Greene appreciated her so much. Yes, that does mean something and reminds me that I wanted to read more of him as well.
I thought The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie was quite funny. I’m looking forward to see your choice.
I’m definitely in. I think I have almost all of Spark’s novels, so I am spoiled for choice! I remember really enjoying The Comforters, A Far Cry From Kensington and Territorial Rights, but that was many years ago now. I’m looking forward to revisiting her work.
How nice and good to know you liked Territorial Rights. It will be interesting to compare notes. I hope she is one of those writers who is even better the second time you read them.
Nice to know that there is a Muriel Spark week in April. I haven’t read any of her books, though I have read a few reviews of ‘The Prime of Miss Brodie’. Looking forward to following the posts. I liked that picture of Muriel Spark sitting in a room filled with books and writing in a notebook.
It’s a great picture, isn’t it? I’m looking forward to that week, reading and seeing which of her books the others will choose.
I too had no idea she was so prolific. The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie is kind of a classic over here, but now I’d like to read her others.
I too like the photo of her reading.
Yes that photo is a great choice. From what I read it seems that The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie overshadows her other books which isn’t justified. It is very good but there seem to be many more, even better ones.
The movie was huge too–Maggie Smith won the Oscar for it.
Thanks that you mentioned this. I’ve never seen it and I like Maggie Smith a lot.
She is a favorite of mine too. Have you been watching Downton Abbey? She’s perfect in her role.
Oh yes, that was cut out for her. I’ve only seen series I so far but would love to see the next one too.
I ve not read spark and think Im may try one for simons challenge if I can find one second hand in time ,all the best stu
I hope you will manage to find one and join.
I have heard her name before but haven’t read any yet.
Have fun with the reading event 🙂
my first reading event will start next month
What could that be? 🙂 I will try to join you and Mel but will not post about it right now or my blog will start to look like an advertising platform for events…. I’m still tempted by the African Reading Challnege on Kinna’s blog… And should get going with the Australian one.
I’ve read The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie twice and the Drivers Seat, which was sort of bizarre (and merits another read I think). I want to read A Far Cry From Kensington and maybe The Girls of Slender Means since it has a WWII setting. She has so many books–I’m looking forward to this as I’ve wanted to read something else by her for a while. Glad you’re joining in, too.
I’m glad you mentioned it. I wasn’t aware that she wrote such a lot. More than I have read, yes, but not that much. I’m sure you would like The Girls of Slender Means. I’ve never herad of the Driver’s Seat before.
I’ve read The Ballad of Peckham Rye and The Driver’s Seat…quite different books, but both odd in their own distinctive ways. I’d like to read more Spark so I’ll keep an eye out for the reviews when they come in Caroline.
She really was more prolific than I would have thought. Everybody has read another one of her books so far. I’m looking forward to the event and discovering new books. Should you want to participate with a guest review, feel free, I can post it for you or, I’m sure Emma would, as she isn’t that busy posting these days herself.
Not much help in the comments.
I’m not awfully tempted by Memento Mori. I’m reading Aiding and Abetting. Let’s hope it’s a good one.
Everybody seems to like another one best. I haven’t come across Aiding and Abetting but it can’t really be bad. It seems the one I got, Territorial Rights, seems very good. We will see. They are not very long, so that’s something.