Athena's Review: The Driver's Seat by Muriel Spark (1970)

This was a different and strange short novel. Nick Hornby was reading more Muriel Spark in his last compilation noting her ability satisfy with her short novels. Having read The Prime of Miss Brodie, I decided why not.

I started this in the queue to get my passport renewed and it was appropriate because it is about a woman who takes a journey to Italy on a mission. Early on in this story, the reader knows the outcome of Lise the protagonist so there is a certain amount of mystery, suspense and tension on how she gets to the ending.

The story was published in 1970 and the events and even Lise reflect the 1960's. The book has a dark, violent and cruel ending. It is not precise and does not give you a sense of closure, but it's memorable with its unique protagonist and Spark's writing.

I was quite surprised by how dark it was. I was less surprised by the derangement exhibited by the protagonist because I am learning that delusion is a feature of Spark's characters. Characters in the novel seem to talk at each other than with each other.

This is a story where I didn't relate to anyone or any concept, but I did like the writing and found the plot provocative and the characters odd. I won't likely forget Lise for awhile. I'm not surprised this was shortlisted for the Lost Booker Prize as it seems like a Booker story too.

Originally posted on my blog Aquatique.

Lorraine's Review - The Driver's Seat

The Lost Booker Prize will be awarded next week on May 19. It is intended to honour the books published in 1970 which because of a change of criteria were not eligible for the Booker.

One of the nominations on the short list is Muriel Spark’s novella The Driver’s Seat.

This is an edgy look at the descent of Lise. It begins innocuously enough with her shopping for clothes. But she becomes undone when the sales assistant suggests that the fabric is good for travel as it repels stains. Lise flips out and screams at the assistant and in a huff proceeds to purchase an outfit of clashing colours and flamboyant design at another shop. Lise is bored and is about to embark on a holiday from her Northern home and have sex with someone who is “her type” in an unnamed Southern destination. She sits beside a man on the airplane who quickly moves to another seat just as the plane is taking off because she is so unnerving. Lise then latches onto Bill, a macrobiotic guru, who talks a lot about not consuming liquids so that women do not urinate more than twice a day. His unusual pronouncements offer a brief respite of humour in this taut and suspenseful psychological portrait. Lise plans to meet him that night at Hotel Metropole. During the day she shops with an elderly woman who is waiting for her nephew to arrive at the hotel. This increasingly bizarre day includes a car theft by Lise from a man who attempted to sexually assault her.

We know that Lise is going to be murdered because Spark has deftly inserted “flash forward” comments from the very beginning which heighten the tension. At same time we never discover why Lise is so driven to this descent which is a kind of fierce madness. The writing is reminiscent of Ruth Rendell in its careful description of the dark side of human nature. But Muriel Spark stands alone here as a sophisticated master of revelation and surprise.

Trevor's Review of Spark's The Driver's Seat

I have been very negligent in my Booker reading lately, not to mention my posting here! I haven't stopped reading the reviews, though. Anyway, I just finished Muriel Spark's The Driver's Seat, my first stop in my attempt to at least read a few of the books on the Lost Booker shortlist (personally, I'm a fan of this latest "gimmick"). (By the way, I'm not sure how to categorize the Lost Booker, so if my tag is inappropriate, please feel free to flag it for repair).

About a year ago I read my first Spark: The Pride of Miss Jean Brodie. I think I was distracted at the time because the book didn't sit well with me. Since then it's gotten better (I've discussed it more and tried to get another perspective by watching the film) but I didn't rush out to read more Spark. Thanks to the Lost Booker I found reason to read another shortie in The Driver's Seat. From page one this is a disturbing take on a disturbed mind.

I've heard that Spark could be very dark, but I didn't expect this one, where we know from the beginning that the woman we are following, Lise, will be dead from multiple stab wounds the next morning. We are forced to watch her encounter brutal (and creepy) men, always wondering which will be the murderer -- and why is Lise with them in the first place? It's a great take on modern spirituality from a writer who seems to like to torture her reader as much as she tortures her characters.

For my complete review, click here.