The Complete Short Stories - Muriel Spark Audiobook

Written by Muriel Spark
Read by Juliet Stevenson, Emilia Fox, Richard E. Grant
Format: MP3
Bitrate: 48 Kbps
Unabridged

· Length: 17 hrs and 24 mins
· Release date: 12-12-11
· Publisher: Canongate Books

From the cruel irony of A Member of the Family to the fateful echoes of The Go-Away Bird and the unexpectedly sinister The Girl I Left Behind Me, in settings that range from South Africa to the Portobello Road, Muriel Spark coolly probes the idiosyncrasies that lurk beneath the veneer of human respectability, displaying the acerbic wit and wisdom that are the hallmarks of her unique talent.

The Complete Short Stories is a collection to be loved and cherished, from one of the finest short-story writers of the twentieth century, rediscover it on the 100th anniversary of Muriel Spark’s birth with outstanding performances by Emilia Fox, Richard E. Grant and Juliet Stevenson.

“So many delightfully wicked poisonous little bonbons in here. OF course the stories are uneven - any “complete” collection runs that risk. But all three readers are extraordinarily talented, and the sharp tart perspicuity of Spark’s delicious voice comes through. Probably wasn’t the most conventional way to introduce myself to Spark’s work as I literally had no idea what to expect. But highly recommended if you already like her. As for me, I’m moving on to the novels.”–Goodreads

“Any author’s collected stories are usually a mixed bag, especially when the editors reach deep into the past to dredge up work, and when the writer in question isn’t particularly well known for their short fiction…. What I like most about Spark is her willingness to exert total control over her characters, to the point of highlighting their artificiality; when you read one of her novels, you manage to get completely into the world of the book without ever forgetting that these people aren’t real. This effect is somehow even stronger in the short fiction. It feels like Spark almost enjoys exposing her characters to grave danger, betrayal, and death. Is this awesome? My tentative answer is yes, but I suppose you’ll have to find out for yourself.” Goodreads—“