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Memento Mori Audiobook
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(3.01) - 1,152 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
Unforgettably astounding and a joy to read, Memento Mori is considered by many to be the greatest novel by the wizardly Dame Muriel Spark.
In late 1950s London, a group of aging eccentrics is brought together by a series of uncanny events. Lettie Colston is the first to receive an anonymous phone call from an insinuating voice reminding her that she must die. Soon, ten of Lettie’s friends also receive the call. In the flurry that results from these seemingly supernatural messages, a bizarre investigation is launched that reveals a network of deception binding the group, including such dark secrets as blackmail and adultery.
As spooky as it is witty, poignant, and wickedly hilarious, Memento Mori may ostensibly concern death, but it is a book which leaves one relishing life all the more.
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"I read this book as a sort of celebration of my 40th birthday. It's dark, twisted, and infused with the inevitability of degeneration and demise-- and I laughed my ass off. There's also an intrieguing cameo by the Almighty, which just took the whole thing to an unexpected level. Loved it."
— Melinda (4 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
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“A complex, beautiful, and terrifyingly insightful novel about old age.”
— New Yorker -
“I find Miss Spark’s novels beautifully executed—funny, moving, and like nobody else’s.”
— W. H. Auden -
“Her best, I think…Chillingly brilliant.”
— Tennessee Williams -
“Funny and macabre…Has delighted me as much as any novel I have read.”
— Graham Greene -
“There is a Waugh-like brilliance to this novel…This last is the most remarkable of Miss Spark’s achievements. Nothing is forced, least of all the humor.”
— New Statesman -
“Acidly funny tale of aging and death…A marvelously crafted, tautly written novel.”
— Philadelphia Inquirer -
“Good, not-so-clean fun.”
— Library Journal
Memento Mori Listener Reviews
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" Written in 1958, very interesting style of writing. A bit on the depressing side as it deals with a lot of elderly people and what happens to them (they die). A nice quick read. "
— Galen, 2/15/2014 -
" I hear the UK TV program had great actors and made it more than the book. The book has good characterisations but not the most riveting read. "
— Des, 1/31/2014 -
" Ouch - old age does not always come with being benign. Fun idea. Horrible (in the best sense of the word !) characters. May take the thorn out of growing older, hehehehe..... "
— Stephan, 1/24/2014 -
" I was initially very intrigued by the age of the characters in this book. That wore off as for the most part their actions were not unlike those of people 10, 20, even 30 years younger. There are some more descriptive reviews available so I won't bother with that. The conclusion was a bit abrupt but there really is a limit to the 'future' possible for this set as for us all. That is the point of the book. "
— Mommalibrarian, 1/21/2014 -
" Observant, funny and sad... not because of the theme (death) but because most of the characters seem to have ruined their lives well before entering the old age the author so well describes "
— Gordon, 1/11/2014 -
" Muriel Spark is hysterical, a community of senior citizens dealing with their own demises, and not dealing very well. "
— Hilary, 1/1/2014 -
" My second novel by Spark, and another charming experience. Love her light touch, intelligence, wry humor, deft handling and sharp writing. I am now officially a big fan. Which way to go for my third helping? "
— Baz, 12/26/2013 -
" Characters are caught by their own unique selves in their own particular circumstances. We create our lives. Things get resolved, or not. We die. A fun read. "
— Theresa, 11/27/2013 -
" Another brilliant short novel by the inimitable Muriel Spark. These are books to read by anyone who wants to know how to write lively fiction. "
— Linda, 8/15/2013 -
" Wittily written and a set up I've never read about before (old people and their vicious rivalries, wills and power play)which makes for an entertaining read. I don't think I got the best from this as I had a break (too long) in the middle so spent some time trying to figure things out again. "
— Catherine, 7/29/2013 -
" Surprisingly pedestrian. "
— Susie, 7/9/2013 -
" A good read but it felt long and slow in parts. "
— Vivienne, 1/22/2013 -
" Wonderful satire of a set of upper-class elderly people in London in the 1950s. Definitely the best book about aging I have ever read. It's sad, touching, meaningful, and laugh out loud funny. I am in awe of Muriel Spark's wit and must now read everything she ever wrote! "
— Catherine, 5/30/2012 -
" Quirky book about aging and death, told with humor. "
— Virginia, 12/5/2011 -
" I love the English but this might have been just a bit too the English for my taste. Good fun, however. Humour at once dry and madcap. And more oldsters than you'll find in any other novel, I'd bet. "
— Brent, 10/17/2011 -
" so far even worse than the last book club book. <br/>characters all very confusing <br/>all very depressing. "
— Sarah, 4/25/2011 -
" Sharp wit and intelligence abide in this lovely small book about aging and the loss of practical things like hearing. :) This is a slow methodical lovely book about people and their interactions under circumstances beyond their control. A lovely laugh-out-loud book. Own it. "
— Sonia, 2/1/2011 -
" 4.5 stars. Not perfect, but an absolute delight nonetheless. "
— kasia, 1/1/2011 -
" Beautifully written black comedy about aging Britons after the war, but it did not quite live up to my expectations. "
— Michele, 11/10/2010 -
" I love the English but this might have been just a bit too the English for my taste. Good fun, however. Humour at once dry and madcap. And more oldsters than you'll find in any other novel, I'd bet. "
— Brent, 9/29/2010 -
" another excellent Muriel Spark book. the characters were quirky, the idea was original... on the whole it was a pretty light read. "
— Stephanie, 8/26/2010
About Muriel Spark
Muriel Spark (1918–2006) was born in Edinburgh, Scotland. She was the author of over twenty novels, including The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, as well as critical biographies, radio plays, children’s books, poetry, and short-story collections. She was made a Dame of the British Empire in 1993 and a Commandeur des Arts et des Lettres in 1996.
About Wanda McCaddon
Wanda McCaddon (d. 2023) narrated well over six hundred titles for major audiobook publishers, sometimes with the pseudonym Nadia May or Donada Peters. She earned the prestigious Audio Award for best narration and numerous Earphones Awards. She was named a Golden Voice by AudioFile magazine.