Happy 60th Birthday Miss Jean Brodie!

On this day in 1961 Macmillan published the first edition of The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, a novel that would become a classic of 20th Century literature. Soon afterwards, the novel would appear in its entirety in The New Yorker. The Muriel Spark Society is celebrationg by holding a free online lecture today at 5pm. Norma Allan, a James Gillespie's girl like Muriel Spark, will give us some of the history behind the Brodie myth. Please head to the website of the National Library of Scotland - events if you would like to join us: www.nls.uk/events

Sar-sgeoil The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie in Gaelic

BBC Alba recently aired a documentary on Muriel and The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie in Gaelic. Subtitles are provided. Filmed at Gillespies, in Morningside and in Abercorn Cemetery, where they failed to find Miss Kay's headstone. Our member Olga Wojtas appears, and your lockdown hair looked fine Olga! Available on iPlayer.

Ali Smith’s favourite literary heroine

Ali Smith recently chose Fleur Talbot from Loitering with Intent as her favourite literary heroine. A wonderful choice and she also qouted Fleur's unforgettable credo, "Everything happens to an artist, time is always redeemed, nothing is lost and wonders never cease" Defoe's Moll Flanders comes a very disreputable second choice.Check out the Guardian online from 1 May.

Richard Osman’s cultural highlights

Muriel Spark has never been short of prominent admirers, and here is another for that distinguished list: Richard Osman. The Pointless host and best selling author chose Dame Muriel in the book section of his list of cultural highlights in last Saturday's Guardian. Now, I wonder if he's free to speak to the Society ...

60 Years of MIss Jean Brodie ...

2021 marks the 60th anniversary of the publication of The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie in 1961. I am delighted to announce the Muriel Spark Society will be marking the event with a lecture hosted by the National Library of Scotland on October 5. Presently we are planning an online event at 5pm, but who knows, perhaps we may all be able to meet? Our speaker will be Norma Allan, who recnetly published a history of her alma mater, James Gillespie's High School in Edinburgh. Her book, "Box Hats and Blue Stockings" was published in 2019. I will post more details as they are firmed up.

Muriel Spark's Early Fiction: literary subversion and experiments with form ...

Dr James Bailey has kindly been in touch to announce his reent book on Dame Muriel's fiction,published at the end of last month by Edinburgh University Press. Here is the information from his publisher: A compelling reappraisal of Spark’s approach to literary experimentation Offers a distinctive reappraisal of Spark’s fiction, which challenges the rigid critical framework that has long been applied to her writing Interrogates how Spark’s literary innovations work to facilitate moments of subversive satire and gendered social critique Presents nuanced re-readings of some of Spark’s major works, as well as lesser-discussed texts such as her only stage play, Doctors of Philosophy, and early short stories Draws upon detailed archival research to offer a unique insight into the social contexts and personal preoccupations that informed Spark’s writing This book presents a detailed critical analysis of a period of significant formal and thematic innovation in Muriel Spark’s literary career. Spanning the mid-1950s to the mid-1970s, it identifies formative instances of literary experimentation in texts including The Comforters, The Driver’s Seat and The Public Image, with an emphasis on metafiction and the influence of the nouveau roman. As the first critical study to draw extensively on Spark’s vast archives of correspondence, manuscripts and research, it provides a unique insight into the social contexts and personal concerns that dictated her fiction. I have invited Dr Bailey to speak to the Society, and will post details when we can arrange a date.

Happy Birthday Lorna #2!

Lorna had a fab birthday as you can see. Thanks to Hugh for the lovely pic.

Happy Birthday Lorna!

Lorna a very happy birthday from all your friends in The Muriel Spark Society. we can't wait to raise a glass with you! thank you for all your generosity, support and for being just great fun.