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3.54 AVERAGE
3.54 AVERAGE
I normally love Muriel Spark, but didn't really get into this one. I'd highly recommend her other books though.
Edit: I just realized I conflated Muriel Spark and Muriel Barbery - I’d recommend Barbery! Haven’t actually read any others of the former, oops.
Edit: I just realized I conflated Muriel Spark and Muriel Barbery - I’d recommend Barbery! Haven’t actually read any others of the former, oops.
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A bunch of old high-class English folk gossip and socially parry with each other, as each of them mysteriously get phone calls from a man (old, young, clear, scratchy, proper or low-class depending on who you ask) who says “Remember, one day you must die”, then hanging up.
This novel was decidedly odd, and unlike a lot I have ever read. Part of that I wonder is the age of the book, or that I never ready mystery, so I just wasn’t used to the pace? I thought it started exceptionally slow as all the characters were introduced, and I sure had problems keeping them straight, but it did pick up. Mostly. The constant discussion of who was losing their faculties, what wills were being changed (and to what effect), who had had affairs with whom in the past, who was dead, and who attended (or didn’t) the funeral… it wasn’t thrilling.
One thing I LOVED about this book was the edition, a Time Magazine “Time Reading Program Special Edition”. Look at the cover. Look at the font. You just don’t get style like that any more. This book has *the* old book smell, and a note on the inside cover provides the source not only for the paper, but the cover (“The Plastic Coating Corporation, Holyoak, MA” lol). This book is of its time and I love how unapologetic it is about that.
Muriel Spark is a critically acclaimed author, the NYT said she writes "comic metaphysical entertainment", but this book was only just “fine” from me. I picked it up as part of the list of “30 Books to Celebrate 30 Years of Writers and Company, a list celebrating the 30 best interviews, authors, and books covered on Writers and Company, a CBC radio show, and it was the second I picked up. I’ve got a goal of reading all 30 in 5 years, so I’m already a little behind, but if you’re interested in catching up on what I’ve read to date, or hear about these notable authors and books in the future, be sure to give me a follow and check out my Guide for all others I’ve read.
This novel was decidedly odd, and unlike a lot I have ever read. Part of that I wonder is the age of the book, or that I never ready mystery, so I just wasn’t used to the pace? I thought it started exceptionally slow as all the characters were introduced, and I sure had problems keeping them straight, but it did pick up. Mostly. The constant discussion of who was losing their faculties, what wills were being changed (and to what effect), who had had affairs with whom in the past, who was dead, and who attended (or didn’t) the funeral… it wasn’t thrilling.
One thing I LOVED about this book was the edition, a Time Magazine “Time Reading Program Special Edition”. Look at the cover. Look at the font. You just don’t get style like that any more. This book has *the* old book smell, and a note on the inside cover provides the source not only for the paper, but the cover (“The Plastic Coating Corporation, Holyoak, MA” lol). This book is of its time and I love how unapologetic it is about that.
Muriel Spark is a critically acclaimed author, the NYT said she writes "comic metaphysical entertainment", but this book was only just “fine” from me. I picked it up as part of the list of “30 Books to Celebrate 30 Years of Writers and Company, a list celebrating the 30 best interviews, authors, and books covered on Writers and Company, a CBC radio show, and it was the second I picked up. I’ve got a goal of reading all 30 in 5 years, so I’m already a little behind, but if you’re interested in catching up on what I’ve read to date, or hear about these notable authors and books in the future, be sure to give me a follow and check out my Guide for all others I’ve read.
This might be my favorite Muriel Spark book I've read so far. It is unimaginable how a book about a circle of senile geriatrics is so funny and immensely enjoyable. Spark is at her merciless satirizing best and the characters are all given such lively and quirky dimensions. I was constantly laughing out loud- Alec Warner especially had me constantly chuckling every time he wanted someone to measure their BP! The writing is brilliant and it is fascinating how Spark deals with such a morbid and macabre storyline with such unabashed joy. She provides terrifying and insightful commentary about old age and our mortality and the narration is so masterfully crafted. I think this is a perfect novel- if ever there can be one.
Dame Lettie, her brother Godfrey, Godfrey's wife Charmian, their respective lovers, Taylor their former housekeeper, and Inspector Mortimer are all over seventy years-old, all somewhat excentric, all slightly unhinged (aren't we all well before then), and although all were well-off during their working years they now worry about the cost of living in a care home for decades, and becoming senile.
So when each of them begins to receive an anonymous call that tells them 'remember to die', chaos ensues. It sets some panicking, others investigating, some regain a clearer memory, and others put shady plans into motion.
Meanwhile, Alec Warner, a common friend to this cast, is checking everbody's pulse, temperature, and is chronicling old age.
Memento Mori is a dark comedy, it rides on macabre humour throughout, and Spark is pitiless in the way she explores the transitory stage during which we witness the loss of our physical and intellectual abilities, the shame we feel, and the expectance of death.
Spark has an amazing ability to bring to life so many people in such a short space and make their darkest paradoxes emerge in great depth.
So when each of them begins to receive an anonymous call that tells them 'remember to die', chaos ensues. It sets some panicking, others investigating, some regain a clearer memory, and others put shady plans into motion.
Meanwhile, Alec Warner, a common friend to this cast, is checking everbody's pulse, temperature, and is chronicling old age.
Memento Mori is a dark comedy, it rides on macabre humour throughout, and Spark is pitiless in the way she explores the transitory stage during which we witness the loss of our physical and intellectual abilities, the shame we feel, and the expectance of death.
Spark has an amazing ability to bring to life so many people in such a short space and make their darkest paradoxes emerge in great depth.
Reasonably paced but the coronavirus pandemic started and messed up my drive to finish the book. However, I am finished now. What was challenging for me about this book was the large number of characters. They were all connected in some way. Those old people led pretty scandalous lives but the truth truly sets one free. There is a lot of irony. Otherwise, this book is interesting because I have never read a book about seniors and the things they are concerned about.
A strange, cold book which hammers home its key point- that we should be conscious that we will die.
The premise is so original and brilliant but I lost interest half way. I prefer Spark’s slimmer volumes.
I can't say that I really enjoyed reading this work. While I can see that it is a social commentary on ageing and death it is easy to ignore that and just see the work as being full of unlikeable characters which ends up being quite morbid as a result.
After the warmth of 'Far cry from Kensington' we're back in more usual Spark territory: beautifully-drawn selfish people saying inconsequential things and doing bad things.
Well-written but ultimately unsatisfying. The plot has so many strands that are promising but they never coalesce into anything. The characters are interesting but generally unlikeable so it's hard to be invested in whether they live or die, which presumably was the point.