Ah, I knew there was someone I was missing. I do really like Spark - came to her through Waugh. Which book do you recommend? Also Helen Garner, and Elliot of course...
Love Waugh too. Just my taste, but I particularly like The Ballad of Peckham Rye, The Girls of Slender Means, The Bachelors, Loitering with Intent, off the top of my head. (Should've said that I enjoyed your piece.)
Several of those I haven't read so adding to the list. Waugh is probably my all time favourite writer. Keep meaning to try and write something about why, but it feels like a steep cliff somehow... Thanks for reading the piece and for these recommendations!
I'd honestly read anything by Spark, including short stories and non-fiction, there's always something there. I can see how trying to capture Waugh's appeal would be hard. I'd be interested to read what you come up with, if you do have a go. When I was in the VIth form and supposed to be revising the syllabus I read every Waugh novel one month, having become obsessed. Around a decade later I had a similar thing with Spark, I immediately loved The Ballad of Peckham Rye and went on from there.
I read Two Girls, Fat And Thin recently after having it hanging about for years and I just couldn't get on with it. Maybe I should have a go with Veronica.
I haven't read TGFAT... I've heard that some of the books are much stronger than others. I really recommend Veronica as you can tell! Think I might have urged it on you in person too...
Have you read any Muriel Spark? If not, strongly recommend giving her a go, from what you've said.
Ah, I knew there was someone I was missing. I do really like Spark - came to her through Waugh. Which book do you recommend? Also Helen Garner, and Elliot of course...
Love Waugh too. Just my taste, but I particularly like The Ballad of Peckham Rye, The Girls of Slender Means, The Bachelors, Loitering with Intent, off the top of my head. (Should've said that I enjoyed your piece.)
Several of those I haven't read so adding to the list. Waugh is probably my all time favourite writer. Keep meaning to try and write something about why, but it feels like a steep cliff somehow... Thanks for reading the piece and for these recommendations!
I'd honestly read anything by Spark, including short stories and non-fiction, there's always something there. I can see how trying to capture Waugh's appeal would be hard. I'd be interested to read what you come up with, if you do have a go. When I was in the VIth form and supposed to be revising the syllabus I read every Waugh novel one month, having become obsessed. Around a decade later I had a similar thing with Spark, I immediately loved The Ballad of Peckham Rye and went on from there.
Excellent, I'm going to dig into some more Spark asap then, very good call. Cheers Paul!
I read Two Girls, Fat And Thin recently after having it hanging about for years and I just couldn't get on with it. Maybe I should have a go with Veronica.
I haven't read TGFAT... I've heard that some of the books are much stronger than others. I really recommend Veronica as you can tell! Think I might have urged it on you in person too...