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3.54 AVERAGE
3.54 AVERAGE
My previous experience with Muriel Spark had been delightful and a friend, knowing how excited I had been with that reading, lent me Memento Mori for the summer. This is a very curious book. I must say I was rather intrigued with it as I read the back cover. And, contrary to what had happened with the other book I read by her, I expected the author would surprise me with all her might. Having read more than one book by her by now, I can certainly point out some characteristics that are exclusive to her writing. That is, Muriel's writing is extremely intelligent and humorous with the occasional dark and disconcerting comment that leaves one somewhat bewildered.
On the other hand, this book is curious because it talks about old age and everything that comes with it: disease, nostalgia, resentment for things not completed/not lived, what is left behind. I would say it is not easy to write about old age having not experienced that stage of life yet but somehow, Muriel Spark did it and with such confidence and clarity that it would seem that she knew already what would be like despite not having been 'one of their own' as Alec says, when she wrote this novel.
That is one of the things that I most admire in writers: that they are able to write convincingly and surely about something they have never experienced themselves, only knowing other peoples' feelings and thoughts of it.
On the other hand, this book is curious because it talks about old age and everything that comes with it: disease, nostalgia, resentment for things not completed/not lived, what is left behind. I would say it is not easy to write about old age having not experienced that stage of life yet but somehow, Muriel Spark did it and with such confidence and clarity that it would seem that she knew already what would be like despite not having been 'one of their own' as Alec says, when she wrote this novel.
That is one of the things that I most admire in writers: that they are able to write convincingly and surely about something they have never experienced themselves, only knowing other peoples' feelings and thoughts of it.
I listened to this on audio while walking around my neighborhood. Because it was a few weeks after the autumnal equinox and I live in New England where the days in winter are painfully short (and cold), most of my walking was at night. One evening while listening to a particularly eerie bit, I heard a strange noise. It was a kind of rhythmic rustling noise, almost like footsteps. I turned quickly and looked behind me, but no one was there. I started walking again and the sound continued. I finally turned off the recording and quickly recognized the sound as the tops of my boots brushing one another. Between having the headphones on and the eeriness of the subject matter, I'd been convinced I was being followed. Even knowing the truth, it was hard to shake my unease.
And so, I learned my lesson about what type of book is best---or not best---for listening while walking alone after dark.
Actually, as a petite woman walking through a poorly-lit suburban neighborhood, I probably shouldn't be listening to headphones at all, but the audiobooks are all that make the painfully mundane landscape bearable. So, I continue listening. Maybe I'll give the neighbor's dog an extra walk as added security.
Despite the fear of being followed, I found this audiobook delightful. The people in it are, by and large, very self-absorbed and comically unaware of the fact. It occurred to me that I've read very few books---if any---about people in this age group, people who were middle-aged or older during the second world war. The writing felt so contemporary, I kept having to remind myself that the story was written and took place in the 1950's. At the first reference to a character parking his car in front of a bomb site in Chelsea, I was confused until I remembered the timeframe of the story.
It's strange to think of these characters as having lived through two world wars. It seems like their concerns would be somehow different because of that experience, but they weren't, really. In the end it's the same relationship difficulties, confusion, and concerns about aging that all of us experience to one degree or another, although perhaps with a little more drama.
I don't remember how I first learned about this book, but I'm glad I found it. It's my first Muriel Spark, and I intend to read more (especially now that I realize Spark wrote The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, the movie version of which I picked up because it stars a young Dame Maggie Smith (before the "Dame") but didn't finish. Now I can read the book and then maybe try the movie again).
And so, I learned my lesson about what type of book is best---or not best---for listening while walking alone after dark.
Actually, as a petite woman walking through a poorly-lit suburban neighborhood, I probably shouldn't be listening to headphones at all, but the audiobooks are all that make the painfully mundane landscape bearable. So, I continue listening. Maybe I'll give the neighbor's dog an extra walk as added security.
Despite the fear of being followed, I found this audiobook delightful. The people in it are, by and large, very self-absorbed and comically unaware of the fact. It occurred to me that I've read very few books---if any---about people in this age group, people who were middle-aged or older during the second world war. The writing felt so contemporary, I kept having to remind myself that the story was written and took place in the 1950's. At the first reference to a character parking his car in front of a bomb site in Chelsea, I was confused until I remembered the timeframe of the story.
It's strange to think of these characters as having lived through two world wars. It seems like their concerns would be somehow different because of that experience, but they weren't, really. In the end it's the same relationship difficulties, confusion, and concerns about aging that all of us experience to one degree or another, although perhaps with a little more drama.
I don't remember how I first learned about this book, but I'm glad I found it. It's my first Muriel Spark, and I intend to read more (especially now that I realize Spark wrote The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, the movie version of which I picked up because it stars a young Dame Maggie Smith (before the "Dame") but didn't finish. Now I can read the book and then maybe try the movie again).
dark
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
2018 marks the centenary of Muriel Spark's birth. It's been wonderful seeing how this event has reinvigorated interest in Spark’s books. Many people and organizations have marked the occasion from Ali of HeavenAli's year-long read-a-long #ReadingMuriel100 to Virago Press publishing a beautiful new edition of “Memento Mori” (that also celebrates this essential publisher's 40th anniversary) to Adam's video commemorating Spark's birthday (his booktube channel is even named after this Spark novel.) My own interest in Spark's fiction unfortunately stopped early on as I've only previously read “The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie”, "The Driver's Seat" and “The Finishing School” in 2004, the year it was published. The later turned out to be her final novel and it sadly felt lacklustre and slight to me which is why I didn't pursue reading any more of her earlier books. But now, having read “Memento Mori” I feel doubly inspired to pursue her back catalogue. It's so brilliantly clever and funny with its large cast of idiosyncratic elderly characters who are continuously hounded by a mysterious caller that regularly reminds them “Remember you must die.” The story is perfectly drawn to capture the tragicomic condition of old age as well as the great challenge of facing our own mortality.
Read my full review of Memento Mori by Muriel Spark on LonesomeReader
Read my full review of Memento Mori by Muriel Spark on LonesomeReader
Our bookgroup felt that while the various indiscretions, blackmail, and outbursts of jealousy and vitriol may well have been sly and subversive in the '50s, they aren't likely to strike any but the most naive of modern readers as such. For full review, see http://www.amazon.com/review/R34WPFPFBUT94I
Wonderful satire of a set of upper-class elderly people in London in the 1950s. Definitely the best book about aging I have ever read. It's sad, touching, meaningful, and laugh out loud funny. I am in awe of Muriel Spark's wit and must now read everything she ever wrote!
What could happen to a group of old people who are threatened by an anonymous calls with a single message: "remember that you will die"?
Additionally, a great expectation is made with their wills any time one of them reach its final end of life.
The reminder about the death - the Mememto Mori, brings a lot of mystery, metaphysical issues, tea time party and even some ironic moments.
Another little masterpiece written by Muriel Spark.
Additionally, a great expectation is made with their wills any time one of them reach its final end of life.
The reminder about the death - the Mememto Mori, brings a lot of mystery, metaphysical issues, tea time party and even some ironic moments.
Another little masterpiece written by Muriel Spark.