Comments on: Muriel Spark: The Driver’s Seat

By: Trevor

Trevor — Thu, 06 May 2010 14:19:29 +0000

I didn’t have the same impression, David. I felt that she had the outburst because she simply didn’t appreciate the sales clerk’s implication that she ever would stain her clothes. She wants something that isn’t stain resistant. I wonder if the stains themselves were important to her plan . . .

By: David Infense

David Infense — Thu, 06 May 2010 03:23:24 +0000

I have previously read four or five of Spark’s novels and was impelled to read The Driver’s Seat due to its inclusion in the Lost Booker competition.

A week after reading the novella I am still thinking about Lise, the southern city and her plan.

I presumed that Lise had a medical condition associated which made her more likely to stain her clothes hence the outburst in the shop – which made that scene much poignancy- what are people’s thoughts on this?

By: Trevor

Trevor — Tue, 04 May 2010 18:25:36 +0000

Lee, your comment is, in itself, disturbing and very welcome in this discussion. The book is still very much on my mind.

By: Lee Monks

Lee Monks — Tue, 04 May 2010 07:48:46 +0000

I wasn’t aware of the film – I’ll definitely be checking that out. As for the book, I found it extremely unsettling and horribly believable. I know someone rather like Lise, which only adds to the disquiet. Initially, I felt that Spark was aiming far too transparently for ‘odd’, but I’m not sure that’s fair looking back. The air of unease here, and the disorienting, authentically askew dialogue exchanges make it a powerful work. The penultimate scene in particular is poisonously atmospheric and compulsive, teeming with dread.

By: Max Cairnduff

Max Cairnduff — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 21:24:13 +0000

Thank you Trevor, I wasn’t sure which Spark to read next, like you before this I’ve just read Prime so far.

Well, now I know, this sounds excellent, dark and troubling. A shame I’ll likely be reading it during sunny weather, I’ll have to save it for an evening alone from the sound of it.

By: Trevor

Trevor — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 14:34:48 +0000

I looked up and watched some clips of the Elizabeth Taylor film, Guy, and it does look faithful to the book in content and style — meaning it was very unsettling. I would like to watch it front to end.

By: Guy Savage

Guy Savage — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 04:12:21 +0000

I really enjoyed this book and loved its bizarre aspects. I also appreciated the very odd film version with Elizabeth Taylor and Andy Warhol. If you liked the book, you may enjoy the film. Taylor is so good in these neurotic roles–my favourite scene is when she goes berserk in the dress shop at the very idea she might be the sort of woman who puts stains on her clothes.

This is the darkest novel by Spark I’ve read to date.

By: Thomas at My Porch

Thomas at My Porch — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 19:51:22 +0000

I am a big fan of Spark, having read Brodie first and then moved on to others in her somewhat prolific catalog including The Driver’s Seat. I think this is a fantastic book, and while it may be darker than some of her other works, I find Spark to always have a subversive side even when she is being polite and proper.

By: Trevor

Trevor — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 18:01:40 +0000

Thanks for your comments martine and Kevin.

Martine, do you have any speculations about what is going on in Lise’s head? I think the title of the story says something. I’m still trying to figure out why her quest for control takes such a perverse angle though.

Kevin, as always, I really look forward to your insights.

By: KevinfromCanada

KevinfromCanada — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 20:35:10 +0000

Your review and quotes certainly make this a much darker book than my experience with Sparks. Which for me is a good thing — I do like her very straightforward style and I think applying it in a darker context would work well. I have a copy of this book and will move it up the list and return with comments then.