Loitering with Intent

by Muriel Spark

Published 22 May 1981

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


Hothouse by the East River

by Muriel Spark

Published 1 March 1973

During World War II, Elsa and Paul were involved in secret propaganda work in England. It is now 1973 and they are living in New York. Elsa is
convinced that a German ex-POW - and former lover - who has appeared in New York, may be planning to kill them. And what's more, her
shadow is pointing in the wrong direction: to the East.
This is one of the 22 novels written by Muriel Spark in her lifetime. All are being published by Polygon in hardback Centenary Editions between
November 2017 and September 2018.


The Abbess of Crewe

by Muriel Spark

Published 31 October 1974

The Abbess of Crewe displays the best of Sparkian satire, placing her at the heart of a great literary tradition alongside Waugh and Trollope, Wilde and Wodehouse. It demands rediscovery.

The Abbess of Crewe
is Muriel Spark's razor sharp, wickedly humorous and surreal satire of a real life political scandal - reimagined within the claustrophobic walls of a convent. A steely, Machiavellian nun, secret surveillance, corruption, cloak-and-dagger plotting, rivalries and a rigged election all send the wonderful cast of characters into disarray as a chain of events unfold that become weirder and weirder.



The Take-over

by Muriel Spark

Published June 1976