A funny and clever novel about art and reality and the way they imitate each other, from the author of The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie. With an introduction by Mark Lawson.

Would-be novelist Fleur Talbot works for the snooty, irascible Sir Quentin Oliver at the Autobiographical Association, whose members are all at work on their memoirs. When her employer gets his hands on Fleur's novel-in-progress, mayhem ensues as its scenes begin coming true... Spark's inimitable style make this literary joyride thoroughly appealing.

'The most gloriously entertaining novel since The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie.' AN Wilson, Spectator

'I read this book in a delirium of delight ... robust and full-bodied, a wise and mature work, and a brilliantly mischievous one.' New York Times Book Review

* Review coverage * Featured on Virago website

About the Author
Muriel Spark, D.B.E, C. Litt, was born in Edinburgh in 1918. A poet and novelist, she also wrote children's books, radio plays, a comedy, 'Doctors of Philosophy', first performed in London in 1962, and biographies. She is best known for her stories and many successful novels, including Memento Mori, The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, Loitering With Intent, The Comforters, A Far Cry from Kensington and The Public Image. For her long career of literary achievement, Muriel Spark won international praise and many awards, including the David Cohen British Literature Award, the T. S. Eliot Award, the Saltire Prize, the Boccaccio Prize for European Literature, the Gold Pen Award and the Italia Prize for dramatic radio. Muriel Spark was given an honorary doctorate of Letters from a number of universities, London, Edinburgh and Oxford among these. She died in 2006.

Reviews
The most gloriously entertaining novel since THE PRIME OF MISS JEAN BRODIE * A.N. Wilson, SPECTATOR *
I read this book in a delirium of delight...robust and full-bodied, a wise and mature work, and a brilliantly mischievous one * NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEW *
Unflagging wit and inventiveness * TIME MAGAZINE *
This is Muriel Spark in the splendid form of those marvellous and influential novels of her earlier career * THE TIMES *



Book Information
ISBN 9781844082483
Author Muriel Spark
Format Paperback
Page Count 192
Imprint Virago Press Ltd
Publisher Little, Brown Book Group
Weight(grams) 143g
Dimensions(mm) 134mm * 201mm * 13mm