Robin's Reviews > Memento Mori
Memento Mori
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"Remember you must die."
These are the words spoken by a mysterious prank caller, at various times, to the huge cast of elderly characters who populate this novel.
It's true, no one gets out of this alive, but who is this caller, and what is his purpose in relaying this message? And, perhaps, more importantly, what was Muriel Spark's purpose in writing this odd 1959 novel?
The group of aged characters receiving these calls - whether it's the rotund Dame Letty who enjoys lording her ever-changing will over people in order to get them to do her bidding, or the once philandering Godfrey, who still has a penchant for women who wear stockings, or the conniving Mrs. Pettigrew, who manipulates her employers to bequeath her their fortunes, or the on-and-off senile Charmian, who seems like butter wouldn't melt in her mouth but whose past isn't nearly as blameless as she'd have one think - aren't very likeable. In fact, despite their advanced years, they haven't achieved any level of emotional maturity, and are more self serving and narcissistic than a bunch of toddlers.
Some of the characters live independently, some live in care homes. Some are quite active, others walk with sticks, and some suffer to the point they feel death will never come. But all the characters are completely wrapped up in their own childish pettiness. So much so, the story takes on a satirical bent.
This makes for a highly entertaining, darkly comic story. Spark tells a tale that could be quite bleak indeed, if not for the consistent infusion of much welcome humour. She very ably shows that there are two sides to old age and decline, always two sides. The difficulty, the tragic loss, that's there, to be sure. There's also the rather comic spirit that persists, that pushes in spite of it all, right up to the end.
But as I reached the conclusion, I did scratch my head a bit.
Is it a look at the absurdity of aging? Or the dire state of human beings in general? An opportunity to laugh, in the face of our shared, inevitable fate?
Maybe. Probably. But when you think about it, what makes life truly meaningful is the knowledge that one day, it must end. Memento mori. Maybe that's why the author felt her silly characters needed a reminder.
Hmm. Her readers, too. Thank you, Muriel Spark!
These are the words spoken by a mysterious prank caller, at various times, to the huge cast of elderly characters who populate this novel.
It's true, no one gets out of this alive, but who is this caller, and what is his purpose in relaying this message? And, perhaps, more importantly, what was Muriel Spark's purpose in writing this odd 1959 novel?
The group of aged characters receiving these calls - whether it's the rotund Dame Letty who enjoys lording her ever-changing will over people in order to get them to do her bidding, or the once philandering Godfrey, who still has a penchant for women who wear stockings, or the conniving Mrs. Pettigrew, who manipulates her employers to bequeath her their fortunes, or the on-and-off senile Charmian, who seems like butter wouldn't melt in her mouth but whose past isn't nearly as blameless as she'd have one think - aren't very likeable. In fact, despite their advanced years, they haven't achieved any level of emotional maturity, and are more self serving and narcissistic than a bunch of toddlers.
Some of the characters live independently, some live in care homes. Some are quite active, others walk with sticks, and some suffer to the point they feel death will never come. But all the characters are completely wrapped up in their own childish pettiness. So much so, the story takes on a satirical bent.
This makes for a highly entertaining, darkly comic story. Spark tells a tale that could be quite bleak indeed, if not for the consistent infusion of much welcome humour. She very ably shows that there are two sides to old age and decline, always two sides. The difficulty, the tragic loss, that's there, to be sure. There's also the rather comic spirit that persists, that pushes in spite of it all, right up to the end.
But as I reached the conclusion, I did scratch my head a bit.
Is it a look at the absurdity of aging? Or the dire state of human beings in general? An opportunity to laugh, in the face of our shared, inevitable fate?
Maybe. Probably. But when you think about it, what makes life truly meaningful is the knowledge that one day, it must end. Memento mori. Maybe that's why the author felt her silly characters needed a reminder.
Hmm. Her readers, too. Thank you, Muriel Spark!
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Reading Progress
November 14, 2021
– Shelved
December 1, 2021
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Started Reading
December 17, 2021
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Finished Reading
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(I've wanted to read something by Muriel Spark set in the 1970s, and I think the last one of hers you reviewed is the one I selected, but now I need to look at my shelves).
Thank you so much, Zoey. I loved the humour too - I literally laughed out loud several times while reading this, which is such a gift, and doesn't happen nearly often enough, for me.
Oh, how lovely - thank you so much for sharing this! That really goes with what the author is saying here. Life's true meaning comes in the light of our mortality.
This book actually brought to mind the way Greek and Roman deities behave in such petty and cruel ways. Their immortality leaves them bored and unimpressed and they often get snared in battles of ego. That's how Muriel Spark's characters are, too. They've forgotten it's all coming to an end soon... ignoring the polite reminders.
(I've wanted to read something by Muriel Spark set in the 1970s, and I think the last one of hers you reviewed is the one I selected, but now I need to look at my shelves)."
I think "interesting" and "bizarre" can aptly describe most of Muriel Spark's books! I've only read four so far, but each one is completely its own animal, and hasn't really resembled the others except for its interesting-ness and bizarre-ness.
The Driver's Seat for me is the MOST interesting and bizarre, and also by far my favourite. I'm still not sure that you will like it, Julie, because it's very, very dark and sort of in the family of The Vet's Daughter, but I really look forward to hearing what you think when the time comes.
...despite their advanced years, they haven't achieved any level of emotional maturity, and are more self serving and narcissistic than a bunch of toddlers.
Hate to tell you that no matter how much maturity has been achieved during a lifetime, it seems to go out the window after a certain age. My girlfriends and I seem to be talking of nothing else lately but our aging parents. I long for the days when we were talking of our real toddlers...
This one reminds me of Mrs Palfrey, which I haven't yet been able to get my hands on. Another enticing review of yours there, these old fools are inspiring, after all!
Hello, Hanneke! I've read three Spark novels this year, and have not gone wrong yet. She's wonderful, and original, and seemingly did exactly what she pleased on the page. This one wasn't all that driven by plot, so not a lot actually happened, though there were a lot of people getting worked up by a lot of things. Ha!
Thank you, Debra! Kind of you to say.
Hi Joe! No, I wouldn't say this was a mystery or suspense novel. There is a mystery that the author plays around with - the identity and purpose of the man on the telephone - but that's about it, and I wouldn't say it ever is resolved in a concrete way. This is satire, at the end of the day. Muriel Spark is pointing her finger at us and saying, "look how utterly ridiculous!!" Good question, and thank you for mentioning Pat in your comment. That always puts a smile on my face.
Hi Candi! The elderly behaving badly - hahaha yes! Absolutely. I can't imagine you could go wrong with whatever Spark book you pick, although I'm definitely not an expert. From the ones I've read, though, they've each provided a unique reading experience. Reading her is like staying in a boutique hotel. Definitely not a run-of-the-mill Holiday Inn. Thanks so much for your lovely comment, as always. Hope your holidays are happy and healthy, friend.
Thanks, Mark! I'm not sure I'd call this story delightful with all these awful characters on the brink of death, but I laughed a lot, so that in itself is a delight! And so are you, thanks for being such a lovely, positive presence here. Wishing you a merry time over the holidays!
Vishakha, I predict you will love Muriel Spark's work, and once you start, you'll be on a journey through her many fascinating books. Hope this finds you well - thanks for your truly thoughtful comments on my reviews this year.
Robin, thanks for so many excellent reviews and for introducing me to such wonderful books, most recently "The Country Girls" by Edna O'Brien which I'm enjoying quite a bit. Here's wishing you a happy 2022.
Oh, that makes me happy! I'm glad you're enjoying Edna O'Brien's book. I love how naturally it's written. Happy 2022 to you, too, friend!
This one reminds me of Mrs Palfrey, which I haven't yet been able to get my hands on. Another enticing review of yours there, these old fools are inspiring, after all!"
Violeta, are you telling me we are all doomed to a) dealing with the toddler-antics of our parents and b) becoming toddlers again, ourselves, in advanced age?? If so, I better enjoy my "maturity" while I can, I guess? :D
I thought of Mrs. Palfrey a few times while reading this one, and while there are some similarities, I'd say that Palfrey is written with a much more realistic style and Spark's novel is biting satire all the way through. I enjoyed Palfrey more, even if there was less humour. You have a treat ahead of you!
Hope you and your family enjoyed a beautiful time together over the holidays. Big hug, Violeta!
Hi Steven, oh, you have a treat ahead of you! For some reason I thought you'd read all her books. Thanks so much for the lovely wishes. I hope your Christmas was wonderful and wish you all good things for 2022!
Hi Antoinette, and thank you! I can't seem to stay away from mid-last-century writers and books for very long. There something about that time period that really draws me. I think you'll have a wonderful time with Muriel Spark when you get to her.
I'm thrilled to hear you're reading The Country Girls! It was just the thing for me when I read it earlier this year. Above all I love O'Brien's natural voice. Amazing that she wrote that one so quickly, too! Wishing you happiness for the coming year, too.
Yes, exactly. Spark gives us a lovely heaping spoonful of sugar here, to go along with the reminder about our mortality. Thanks for putting it so perfectly, Laysee!
You're right, she's so unusual, and each book of hers that I have read has taken me on a unique reading experience. I hope you enjoy this when you get to it, Gaurav, and thank you for your kind comment.