Muriel Spark was a prolific poet and novelist who was nominated for the Booker Prize three times over the course of her writing career. In 1981, Spark's Loitering with Intent was shortlisted for the prize alongside that year's eventual winner Midnight's Children by Salman Rushdie. The novel is a wonderfully gossipy and entertaining literary joyride which sees a would-be novelist takes inspiration from her life only to find the tables are mysteriously turned – and it's our August Book of the Month.

In this episode Jo and James:

• Continue getting to know each other by chatting about the life event James would start his memoir with and Jo's favourite albums of all time
• Share a brief biography of Muriel Spark
• Give a slightly spoiler-y account of what happens in Loitering with Intent
• Discuss how much of Muriel Spark's writing may be influenced or based on her own life
• Consider why Muriel Spark is not as widely read now as she once was
• Who should read Loitering with Intent

Reading list:

• Loitering with Intent by Muriel Spark
• The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie by Muriel Spark
• The Driver's Seat by Muriel Spark
• The Public Image by Muriel Spark
• The Ballad of Peckham Rye by Muriel Spark
• Midnight's Children by Salman Rushdie
• The Comfort of Strangers by Ian McEwan

A full transcript of the episode is available at our website.

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