A wonderfully compelling, insightful and meticulously researched biography of Muriel Spark, which I found as fascinating as any of the writer’s novels.

Having read Frances Wilson’s outstanding and unusual book on DH Lawrence, the idea of tackling a novelist as complicated, to me at least, as Muriel Spark, seemed like something she’d be capable of taking on. Having read the book this confidence was entirely justified as this is a gripping critical biography that unravels just enough of Spark’s life and literature to add an extra layer for the avid reader. By embracing the methods of the author, Wilson find a way in not only to life but also to how the life was reflected in the work. I enjoyed reading this more than some of Spark‘s own work but will now go back to it fully armed and prepared.

Electric Spark by Frances Wilson is a fascinating, fast-paced look at Muriel Sparks' life up to her first novel, at what made her the writer she was.

As Wilson asserts, this is a "sort-of biography," mostly moving between what is known about Sparks' life, what she said about it (how she portrayed herself and her past), and how it manifested in her writing. If you want a straightforward biography that doesn't ask you to think about what is being said you may not like this too much. If you want to know more than just the facts about her life and how her life plays into her work, and can keep up with a (not too) fast pace, you will enjoy this ride a lot.

Like many lifelong readers, especially older ones like me, the more of her work you've read the more enjoyable this will be for you. Fortunately, Sparks is one of those writers who have many people who have read and reread her works, and since the suggestion of reading her novels in order was mentioned some years ago, many of us have done that as well, so this is a wonderful read. But don't hesitate to read this if you just have an interest in her and have only read a few works. Wilson does an excellent job of telling us enough about any novel or short story that she references, enough to understand how it reflects Sparks' own life.

There will a lot of new information here, much of it offering more perspective, or a different perspective, on things already known. Some clarifying, some contradicting, what has come to us so far. While reading this I went back and revisited some of her short stories with a better understanding of what it meant to her when she wrote it, or what in her life might have planted the seed that became that story.

Highly recommended both for fans of hers as well as those who enjoy dynamic assessments of prolific writers with larger-than-life personas.

Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via NetGalley.

I liked the works of Muriel Sparks especially The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, the first book of hers that I've read. However, this sort-of-biography did not click with me. The writing was too fast paces, as if the author wrote the paragraphs between checking her social media feeds. This was my impression, anyway. Unfortunately, I could not finish the book, I read about a third and then the ending, that was in the same style.
Thank you to FSG for offering this ARC in exchange of an honest review and to Netgalley for mediating this share of knowledge and ideas.