Muriel Spark

(born Feburary 1918 - died April 2006 ) - Edinburgh

Muriel Spark was the grande dame of Scottish letters. A prolific writer, she has produced over twenty novels as well as works of poetry, drama, biography, non-fiction and children’s stories.

Spark was born Muriel Camberg in Edinburgh in 1918 and educated at James Gillespie's School for Girls (said to be the inspiration for The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, her best known novel). She worked in a succession of jobs before marrying Sydney Spark in 1937. The couple had one son, Robin, and lived in Central Africa for a while. When the marriage ended, Spark moved to London.

Spark’s writing career began early on when she won a prize in school but she first came to the public’s attention when she won a short story competition in the Observer. Since then her work has attracted numerous awards including the James Tait Memorial Prize, the Saltire Society Book of the Year Award and the FNAC Prix Etranger. Her work has been recognised internationally: in 1978 she was elected an honorary member of the American Academy of Arts and Letters and in 1988 to the L’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres.

Muriel Spark moved to Italy in 1967. Her long-awaited and much-acclaimed autobiography, Curriculum Vitae, appeared in 1992. In 1993 she was made Dame of the British Empire. Dame Spark died in her adopted home of Civitella della Chiana, in Tuscany, in 2006.

Key Titles

Aiding And Abetting: A Novel
Years after his disappearance, celebrated psychiatrist Dr Hildegard Wolf is approached by two men, both claiming to be Lord Lucan. Can she discover their true identities before her own dark secret is revealed?
All The Poems
This collection of poetry by Muriel Spark presents the full range of one of Britain's most acclaimed writers. It includes villanelles, ballads and epigrams, as well as freer forms, all marked by her sharp observations and command of her medium.
The Ballad Of Peckham Rye
Dougal is seen as a man of vision, a man who would breathe life into the Peckham firm of Meadows, Meade and Grindley. But before long, the unsuspecting workforce begin to manifest the results of Dougal's human research - mayhem, mutiny and murder.
The Complete Short Stories
This collection, which contains all Muriel Spark's published short stories together with some previously unpublished work, displays her humour and unique view of human nature.
Curriculum Vitae
An autobiographical account of Muriel Spark's Edinburgh childhood and her life in Africa.
The Driver's Seat
Lise is driven to distraction by her office job so, leaving everything, she flies south on holiday. But what is she looking for? Infinity and eternity attend Lise's last terrible day in an unnamed southern city.
A Far Cry From Kensington
Mrs Hawkins, a comfortably large young widow, is often called upon to administer advice to colleagues and neighbours. But she follows her own advice, too, and turns from Mrs Hawkins into Nancy: quite a different proposition.
The Finishing School
Passionately determined to write his novel whilst running College Sunrise, a finishing school for both sexes and mixed nationalities, Rowland Mahler is assisted by his wife, Nina Parker. This term there is a new star pupil - Chris, 17, also determined to write his own masterpiece.
The Girls Of Slender Means
In a Kensington hostel towards the end of World War 2, a group of well-bred, but impecunious young women, are leading lives of ritual femininity. All is well until their interlude of innocence is destroyed by the horror of the times.
Loitering With Intent
Would-be novelist Fleur Talbot works for the snooty Sir Quentin Oliver at the Autobiographical Association, whose members are at work on their memoirs. When her employer gets his hands on Fleur's novel-in-progress, mayhem ensues when its scenes begin coming true.
The Mandelbaum Gate
On a visit to Jerusalem, Barbara befriends a timid diplomat, Freddy Hamilton. Ignoring his warning that she risks arrest because of her Jewish blood, she sets out on a pilgrimage beyond the Mandelbaum Gate
The Prime Of Miss Jean Brodie
Miss Brodie is a teacher who exerts a powerful influence over the group of 'special girls' at the Marcia Blaine Academy. Each is famous for something & are initiated into a world of adult games & extra-curricular activities they will never forget.
The Snobs
'The Snobs' contains five stories that amply display Muriel Spark's extraordinary talent; her cool, biting humour and unique vision of human nature.
Symposium
Modelled on Plato's book, this book uses dialogue to reveal the mysteries of each guest at a north London dinner party. It reveals tales of the guests' pasts and futures.