scottish literature

The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie is upon us and it does not disappoint. Too much to say about this one and, as always, we could have gone an hour longer and still not covered it all. An absolutely fantastic novel and one that certainly lives up to the hype and praise that surrounds it.

Titles/authors mentioned:

• The Secret History by Donna Tartt
• O Caledonia by Elspeth Barker
• Aunt Julia and the Scriptwriter by Mario Vargas Llosa
• The Old Devils by Kingsley Amis
• Ottessa Moshfegh
• Bryan Washington

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Music: “The Low Spark of High-Heeled Boys” by Traffic

Logo design: Flynn Kidz Designs

We stand on the precipice, one episode away from THE PRIME! Before that, though, we discuss The Bachelors, a fantastic novel chock full of some of the strangest characters Spark has written, which is really saying something. Mediums, epileptics, blackmail, criminality, and much, much more abound in this one. And one of the funniest scenes yet involving a gentleman’s club, a game of hide-and-seek, and drapes. As always: a really great time.

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Music: “The Low Spark of High-Heeled Boys” by Traffic

Logo design: Flynn Kidz Designs

We’re edging closer to THE PRIME, but today we chat about The Ballad of Peckham Rye. Spark’s novels are incredibly fun, but this might be the wildest, featuring an incredible character name (Dougal Douglas), a lot of absenteeism, a textile factory, a Nun Tunnel, and dancing. Lots of dancing.

Click here to subscribe to our Substack and find us on the socials: @lostinredonda just about everywhere.

Music: “The Low Spark of High-Heeled Boys” by Traffic

Logo design: Flynn Kidz Designs

In Episode 4 of Season 2 we dig into Muriel Spark’s sophomore effort, Robinson. Gotta say: it’s incredible and we couldn’t be more excited to keep on keeping on with her work. This time around we trade London (mostly) for a lonely island in the Atlantic and a story that is funny, tense, clever, whimsical, and just an all-around masterclass in writerly control. None of which is surprising at this point, but absolutely riveting and delightful.

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Music: “The Low Spark of High-Heeled Boys” by Traffic

Logo design: Flynn Kidz Designs