Reviews

A Far Cry from Kensington by Muriel Spark

conker's review against another edition

4.0

An wonderful novel of post war London, depicting character expertly and convincingly.

millysleep's review against another edition

5.0

Deeply enjoyable short novel not written by a pisseur de copie.

reasie's review against another edition

4.0

The back jacket copy informs me that this was Muriel Spark’s 18th novel which makes me gasp and say, “There are at least 15 Muriel Spark novels I haven’t read!” I foresee a shopping binge in my future, or else I’ll just continue to pick her novels up as I have, which is when I run across them in second-hand bookshops.

A delightfully quirky book with lots of truth in it and delightful characters and wit. My only complaint is that the villain of the piece, who is VERY villainous, gets off lightly. I should have liked to have read a longer work with a more vengeful hero. And I am not normally a fan of vengeful heroes - but oo this guy was NASTY.

I guess another complaint would be that the book is very short, and I found the passages about poetic insomnia a bit repetitive. But everything else was just lovely.

rojaed's review against another edition

4.0

This was a BBC Sounds recording, so I’m not sure if it’s been abridged. I remembered that I’d read it before, but had forgotten the details. It is a wicked book. Very satiric of the publishing industry and writers pretensions, but also tragic and cruel in part. Recommended if you like black comedy

gingher77's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

shipssail's review against another edition

4.0

I liked this book because the main character works in publishing as do I sort of. I like how she goes through a physical transformation throughout the book, how she offers advice to the reader and I like her snappy, witty, conspiratorial and conversational style. I read this book because of Maud Newton's quarterly mailing and I'm glad I did.

bibliobethreads's review against another edition

funny inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

beccajdb's review against another edition

Not all that funny or wry. And rather washed-out in a take-it-or-leave-it sort of atmosphere. Also couldn’t abide the odd clumsiness, such as “Mr York filled his glass, and I him in about Wanda”. Crikey. 

andrew61's review against another edition

4.0

I love delving into the world of Muriel Spark who crafts darkly comic stories around unique and brilliantly drawn characters. In this one Nancy Hawkins is a 29 year old WW2 widow living in a rented bedsit in a house of curious characters including Polish dressmaker Wanda. Working in the publishing industry she confronts Hector Bartlett calling him a 'piseur de copie', creator of drivel.
At the same time an anonymous caller is causing distress to Wanda. The story follows Mrs Hawkins life in post war London as she manages her life in house and work.
I am yet to put down a Muriel Spark novel without immense satisfaction in a brilliant story well told.

smbla's review against another edition

4.0

3.5 stars