Our AGM will take place this coming Monday 3 June at 6pm. The location is once again the Saltire Society. Please note: subscriptions are due for renewal on the night.
After formal business is concluded, we will have a talk by Shane Strachan, and then on to dinner at Pizza Express on North Bridge. Hope to see you there.
Muriel Spark's Study in Italy
Thursday, May 30, 2019
Thursday, May 23, 2019
Jazzy Spark at the Fringe
Saxophonist Raymond MacDonald is performing an intriguing interpretation of Spark at this year’s Edinburgh Fringe. “Lie still my sleepy fortunes” will take place at the Pianodrome at the Pitt (Venue 391) on August 16 and 17 at 5pm. The performance lasts one hour.
£12 (£10)
£12 (£10)
Monday, March 18, 2019
Spark Book Group - Territorial Rights and My Venice
The next Spark Book Group will convene on Tuesday 9 April at 6pm. We will meet in the Saltire Society at 22 High Street, and will be expertly led once again by Joyce Caplan. Territorial Rights was studied for the annual quiz, so the homework should all be done! Please also read Spark's essay on Venice, which can be found in the collection, The Golden Fleece.
Gail Wylie will be freshly returned from Venice and is hoping to bring back some Spark associated booty. We'll also get in the mood with some Italian wine and nibbles. Do join us if you can.
Gail Wylie will be freshly returned from Venice and is hoping to bring back some Spark associated booty. We'll also get in the mood with some Italian wine and nibbles. Do join us if you can.
Wednesday, March 06, 2019
Muriel Spark Society Wine Tasting
The Society presented a very successful wine tasting at the Scottish Arts Club last night. Many members attended, as well as guests invited by Committee member Bridget Stevens. This made for a good mix and a convivial time was had by all. This was in no small measure due to the expertise of Alan Johnston, our guide for the evening. After a heady start on prosecco, the various wines were presented in batches of two for very telling comparison. A Old World/New World debate ensued!
Fun prizes were presented, and a top one of fine wine went to one of the expert tasters. Our great thanks particularly to Alan and Bridget. Thanks to Lorna Statham for organising, prizes, and like Jack Reynolds, pouring so judiciously!
Fun prizes were presented, and a top one of fine wine went to one of the expert tasters. Our great thanks particularly to Alan and Bridget. Thanks to Lorna Statham for organising, prizes, and like Jack Reynolds, pouring so judiciously!
Saturday, February 02, 2019
Spark Book Group - next meeting
The Muriel Spark Society Book Group next convenes on Tuesday 9 April at 6pm. Our title this time is Territorial Rights, her novel set in Venice. We shall also consider her brilliant essay on Venice included in The Golden Fleece (pp. 84-89). The discussion will be led by Joyce Caplan.
Refreshments will be served. Join us and do some excellent preparation for our visit! You are also very welcome if you can’t make the trip.
Location:
The Saltire Society
Fountain Close, High Street
Edinburgh
Refreshments will be served. Join us and do some excellent preparation for our visit! You are also very welcome if you can’t make the trip.
Location:
The Saltire Society
Fountain Close, High Street
Edinburgh
Friday, February 01, 2019
Tweet by The PWE and British Culture on Twitter
 | The PWE and British Culture (@PWEpropagandist) |
and to celebrate her birthday here's a NEW BLOG POST from @bealoplop, on traces of Spark's wartime PWE service to be found in two novels deeply concerned with the appearance of truth @MSparkSociety wp.me/palUv2-3P pic.twitter.com/CVjVMYWL41 | |
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Olga Wojtas goes to Morningside ...
A talk with Olaga Wojtas
Olga Wojtas was born and brought up in Edinburgh where she attended James Gillespie’s High School and inspired by Muriel Spark work. Her latest book, Miss Blaine's Prefect and the Golden Samooar is the ‘crème de la crème of crime fiction debuts’. (Edinburgh International Festival)
"Fifty-something Shona is a proud former pupil of the Marcia Blaine School for Girls, but has a deep loathing for The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie. Shona is thrilled when selected by Marcia Blaine herself to travel back in time for a one-week mission in 19th-century Russia..."
She will talk about her book at Morningside Library.
Olga Wojtas was born and brought up in Edinburgh where she attended James Gillespie’s High School and inspired by Muriel Spark work. Her latest book, Miss Blaine's Prefect and the Golden Samooar is the ‘crème de la crème of crime fiction debuts’. (Edinburgh International Festival)
"Fifty-something Shona is a proud former pupil of the Marcia Blaine School for Girls, but has a deep loathing for The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie. Shona is thrilled when selected by Marcia Blaine herself to travel back in time for a one-week mission in 19th-century Russia..."
She will talk about her book at Morningside Library.
Wednesday, January 30, 2019
Jessamine Davenport
We are very sad to announce the passing of our stalwart member Jessamine Davenport. Jessamine beguiled us with stories of her life. She was an indispensable part of our trip to Siena, and played host to the Sparkisti at her home. Thank you Jessamine.
Thursday, January 24, 2019
Is it red or is it white? Celebrating Carnevale. Wine tasting -more details!
A Tutored Wine Tasting presented by the Muriel Spark Society.
Led by Alan Johnston, former President of the Scottish Wine Society and active member of the Institute of Wines and Spirits in Scotland, as well as holder of a Higher Certificate in Wine from the Institute of Wines and Spirits, Alan is highly qualified to act as our guide in what promised to be a fun, informal yet informative evening. It takes place in the exclusive Club Room of the Scottish Arts Club.
Tuesday 5 March 7.30-9.30pm
The Scottish Arts Club, 24 Rutland Square, Edinburgh EH1 2BW.
£15
Book your place by 15 February with Spark Society Membership Secretary Lorna Statham at:lornastatham@btinernet.com
The Muriel Spark Society is planning a trip to Venice in March 2020. Organiser Martin Gray of Learn Italy Study Holidays will be present.
Led by Alan Johnston, former President of the Scottish Wine Society and active member of the Institute of Wines and Spirits in Scotland, as well as holder of a Higher Certificate in Wine from the Institute of Wines and Spirits, Alan is highly qualified to act as our guide in what promised to be a fun, informal yet informative evening. It takes place in the exclusive Club Room of the Scottish Arts Club.
Tuesday 5 March 7.30-9.30pm
The Scottish Arts Club, 24 Rutland Square, Edinburgh EH1 2BW.
£15
Book your place by 15 February with Spark Society Membership Secretary Lorna Statham at:lornastatham@btinernet.com
The Muriel Spark Society is planning a trip to Venice in March 2020. Organiser Martin Gray of Learn Italy Study Holidays will be present.
Tuesday, January 22, 2019
Wine Tasting Carnevale 5 March 2019
Join the Muriel Spark Society for a wine tasting at the Scottish Arts Club on 5 March at 7.30pm. It will be led expertly by Alan Johnston, former president of the Scottish Wine Society. The cost is £15.
Please register your interest with our Membership Secretary, Lorna Statham: lornastatham@btinternet.com.
Martin Gray from Learn Italy will join us to speak of our proposed trip to Venice in March 2020.
Please register your interest with our Membership Secretary, Lorna Statham: lornastatham@btinternet.com.
Martin Gray from Learn Italy will join us to speak of our proposed trip to Venice in March 2020.
Monday, January 21, 2019
Muriel Spark @ 101: a roundtable at Harvard
Harvard University will hold a symposium on Muriel Spark and novel theory on April 23rd 2019.
The participants are listed below:
Timothy Bewes, Brown University
Marilyn Reizbaum, Bowdoin College
Kelly Rich, Harvard University
James Wood, Harvard University
The Muriel Spark Society Annual Birthday Lunch 2019
To mark Muriel Spark's 101st Birthday, the Society will once again be holding a celebratory lunch. This time we will meet on Sunday 27 January 12.30pm at the Bruntsfield Hotel in Edinburgh. There will be fizz on arrival, followed by a three course lunch with wine. Afterwards, we will hold our quiz, this time on the novel, Territorial Rights. We will also be having a Raffle for the first time.
Some spaces remain and the event is open to non-members, so do think about joining us.
Contact our Membership Secretary, Lorna Statham: lornastatham@btinternet.com.
Some spaces remain and the event is open to non-members, so do think about joining us.
Contact our Membership Secretary, Lorna Statham: lornastatham@btinternet.com.
Thursday, December 20, 2018
Books that made Deborah Levy
The playwright, novelist and poet on the cleverness of Muriel Spark, how Marguerite Duras influenced her and why Zora Neale Hurston is underrated.
The book I wish I’d writtenThe Prime of Miss Jean Brodie. Muriel Spark was so clever to encourage readers to admire Jean Brodie, and then have us discover we were admiring a fascist. It’s a skilful flip in empathy that Spark makes look easy.
Read the full article here:
https://www.theguardian.com/books/2018/dec/14/deborah-levy-books-that-made-me?CMP=share_btn_link
Ian Rankin: By the Book, Brodie and Dr Who ...
Ian Rankin chooses his favourite book of all time in the New York Times ...
What’s your favorite book of all time?
That’s such a tough question and the answer would change from day to day. Maybe Muriel Spark’s “The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie.” If I describe it as an absolute Tardis of a book, “Dr. Who” fans may understand. It is bigger on the inside than the outside.
Friday, November 30, 2018
Theroux takes tea with Muriel Spark ...
No this is not weird weekends with his son Louis! Here Theroux pere takes tea with Spark. The hardback is out and a paperback is planned next year. Another idea for an event? Should be a fascinating encounter.
![]({"https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41pnv3Fe-HL._SX323_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg":[325,499],"https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41pnv3Fe-HL._SY344_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg":[226,346]})
Muriel Spark, Existentialism and the Art of Death
Here's a snappy title coming your way from Edinburgh University Press in 2019! I will get in touch with Cairns Craig and see if he will talk to the Society on this. Absolutely intriguing ...
Thursday, November 22, 2018
Nicola Sturgeon celebrates Muriel Spark
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon launches the distribution of Muriel Spark's novels to Scottish public libraries yesterday. Announcing the free book scheme during a visit to Loanhead public library in Midlothian, Ms Sturgeon said: “Muriel Spark is one of Scotland’s greatest authors and it is fitting that we celebrate the centenary of her birth with this donation to libraries. “I’ve been an avid reader of her books since I was young and I’m very pleased that many more people will now be able to enjoy her work. For me, reading is one of life’s greatest pleasures.”
Read more at: https://inews.co.uk/news/scotland/every-library-in-scotland-given-complete-collection-of-muriel-spark-novels/
Wednesday, November 21, 2018
Muriel Spark across Scotland
Today First Minister Nicola Sturgeon launched the distribution of complete sets of Muriel Spark novels to all public libraries in Scotland - all 491 of them! Additionally, every secondary school in Edinburgh will receive a set. This extremely generous initiative has been funded by the Scottish Government and Postcode Lottery. What a way to celebrate the end of the centenary! Happy reading to all!
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