Reviews

Memento Mori by Muriel Spark

Only show reviews with written explanations

gingher77's review against another edition

Go to review page

funny mysterious fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

musicsaves's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

FIRST LINE REVIEW: "Dame Lettie Colston refilled her fountain pen and continued her letter: One of these days I hope you will write as brilliantly on a happier theme." While one could say the very same thing of Muriel Sparks about this novel (which deals with Death), the reality is that this was filled with Life and delightfully happy...and charmingly funny. "Remember you must die." Despite constant reminders of this memento mori, the elderly characters populating this small masterpiece don't seem to do so. But die they all do...and the path toward their inevitable ends is presented with comic pathos and profound insights designed to remind us all.

nonoemi's review against another edition

Go to review page

2.0

Was expecting more from Sparks' reputation. A none-to-subtle rumination on the awareness of approaching death. It has its moments though, especially in the first half, when the characters are alternatingly sweet and caddy and funny, but Sparks' hand get heavy in the second half.

ophelia's review against another edition

Go to review page

slow-paced

3.5

paroof's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

I may be the last person on earth to know that Memento Mori means "Remember that you must die" or "Remember death". My freshman English professor from college would have been appalled, she thought we should all know Latin. I tend to agree with her, as she explained, it helps us understand our language and increase our vocabulary. (Also, I would then know common Latin phrases such as Memento Mori.)

Anyway, Memento Mori, the book, was everything you would expect from Muriel Spark - her insight, wit and clever (and not-so-clever) characters are delightful. It is now my second favorite of Spark's books - the first being The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, and my third, and only other, The Girls of Slender Means.