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The Girl of Slender Means


I am currently reviewing Martin Stannard’s biography of Muriel Spark (Weidenfeld & Nicolson) for a literary publication. I won’t comment on the overall merits of the book until the review is out, but I will say that the woman was a genuine inspiration. Stannard includes a great deal of Spark’s thinking on writing itself – which makes the book a bit of a must for all apprentices of this dark art. Her thoughts on the novel – and on what she would or wouldn’t include – are fascinating. Will return here with details of the review in a few weeks time...

Comments

  1. Rachel FentonJanuary 27, 2010 at 12:44 AM

    Cool - can't wait for the review - want to go read the bio now...I am in need of all the help with this "dark art" as you call it! Writer as alchemist...

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  2. JAKI MCCARRICKJanuary 27, 2010 at 2:50 AM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

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  3. JAKI MCCARRICKJanuary 27, 2010 at 3:10 AM

    She was very influenced by the nouveaux romans and Robbe Gillet's ideas on the novel. No feelings, just facts and concrete information. Her novels are very slim - and all seem to draw on her own 'real' life in some way. Oh, she loved that word 'real'. A lot of this really chimes with my own thoughts on writing, too, I have to say. Really inspiring woman.

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