In memoriam Muriel Spark

by **bernstein** » Tue Apr 18, 2006 10:45 am

Dame Muriel Spark, Scottish-English-Jewish-Anglican-Catholic and anarchistic novelist from Edinburgh, one of the greatest, died on April 13th in Florence aged 88. Her immortal line remains:
“Selwyn Macgregor, the nicest boy who ever committed the sin of whisky.”
A Sad Tale's Best for Winter', 1958.

R.I.P.

by **rthomson** » Wed Apr 19, 2006 6:08 am

I'm not as well versed in the works of Scottish authors as I might be. I am familiar with The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, though that's about as much knowledge I have of Muriel Spark. Anyone described as an "anarchistic novelist" piques my interest and I should read more.

I did recently read a couple of works by another influential Scottish author, John Galt. The Member is often cited as the first political novel in the English language and The Radical is also a good read.

I can't bring this post back to whisky as well as you did with your quote, but I will say that it wouldn't surprise me if a good number of those who appreciate Scotch appreciate literature as well.

Ron