Sir Ian Rankin display highlights Spark PhD

A display at the National Library of Scotland includes his PhD proposal and research cards on Muriel Spark. Rankin apparently donated his archive to the Library to reside beside that of his literary heroine. This is timely as members of the Muriel Spark Society visit the Library today to view items from the Spark Archive. The Rankin display is free and runs until April.

Poetic Licence: paintings of Scottish writers and poets

An exhibition of paintings of Scottish writers and poets by Greg Moodie includes 2 portraits of Muriel Spark. it is on at The Scottish Poetry Library in Edinburgh until October 12.

Happy Platinum Jubilee with Muriel Spark

The Girls of Slender Means has been chosen to represent one year of the seventy of the Queen's Reign, another Royal honour for Dame Muriel Spark. The Big Jubilee Read has been compiled by The Reading Agency and the BBC. Excellent choice!

Robinson Crusoe and Miss Brodie …

The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie has been included in the list of the greatest novels of impact sine Robinson Crusoe. Great news, but should they have chosen Robinson?!

Afterwords: Muriel Spark

Radio 3 will present a programme of readings and views on Muriel Spark on Sunday June 12 at 18.45. Reflections on Spark's life and work through audio archive and those who knew her. 44 minutes.

The Muriel Spark Society AGM

The Muriel Spark Society Annual General Meeting will take place on 7 June 2022 at 6pm in The Saltire Society, 22 High Street, Edinburgh. We hope as many members as possible can join us.

Miss Blaine’s Prefect and the Weird Sisters Olga Wojtas

Olga publishes her 3rd Brodie-inspired novel on March 17, with the intriguing title above. Macbeth perhaps ...? She has also recoded the novel for Audible which sounds like great fun. Olga will be speaking to the Society after the lunch on April 24, and will also hold an event at Toppings Books in Edinburgh on March 30 at 8pm. See you there!

Patricia Highsmith, Muriel Spark and the cat …

Patricia Highsmith's diaries were published late last year and there are references to her friend Muriel Spark and the cat, Spider, that passed between them. There is also reference to a review Highsmith wrote on The Hothouse by the East River - intriguing. I must check that out. Highsmith is pictured holding a cat on the cover - was that Spider I wonder?

The Muriel Spark Society Spring Lunch

The Society will hold a Spring Lunch this year on Sunday 24 April at 12.30-1pm at the Bruntsfield Hotel in Edinburgh. We are delighted to welcome members and guests back after a hiatus caused by the pandemic. Join us for a welcome glass of fizz, three courses with wine, and coffee. There will be raffle, quiz on The Piblic Image and a talk by novelist Olga Wojtas. Guests are welcome. Please contact our Membership Secretary, Lorna Statham, if you would like to join us.

The Crooked Dividend: essays on Muriel Spark - free online event

The National Library of Scotland is hosting a free online event on this book of essays to be publushed by the Association of Scottish Literary Studies next month. The event is on the 17th March at 5pm. Please register a place at the National Library of Scotland website events section.

Birthday Thoughts ….

Today would have been Muriel Spark's 104th Birthday and so is an opprtune moment to wish all members of the Society a happy new year. We had to postpone the Birthday Lunch this year, but we still hope to have a Spring Lunch near Easter. The Committee met recently to discuss plans for the autumn lecture and AGM. We can't wait to see you all again. i hope you are all keeping well. Oh and we haven't given up on Venice ...