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A review by thebacklistborrower
Memento Mori by Muriel Spark
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
3.0
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.