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The Girls Of Slender Means

By Muriel Spark
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3.66 goodreads logo

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Check link for latest rating. ( 8,203 ratings, 963 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
The Girls of Slender Means by Muriel Spark is a captivating tale set in post-World War II London, revolving around the lives of young women residing in the May of Teck Club. These women, marked by ambition and constrained means, navigate the complexities of romance, aspirations, and survival amidst the backdrop of a transforming society. The narrative weaves together their charming, at times poignant, interactions, offering a glimpse into the struggles and camaraderie that define their existence.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this book if you're intrigued by life in post-war London and appreciate a sharp, witty exploration of the lives of women navigating society's expectations. Muriel Spark's narrative deftly captures the blend of humour and tension present as the residents of a girls' hostel maintain a delicate balance between ambition and the stark realities of their environment.

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The Girls Of Slender Means

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

One of Muriel Spark's best-loved and greatest novels, now an Essential.

London, 1945. The war is grinding to a halt, and the city begins to embrace the hordes who gather to hear the political speeches of the day.

And in the tightly-knit world of a Kensington hostel, a bevy of well-bred girls of slender means and intriguing morals are leading lives of ritual femininity, plotting amongst themselves for the suitors who call to confer favours of clothing coupons, meals and more—until the interlude of innocence is destroyed by the tragedy and horror of the times...

The Girls Of Slender Means explores the delicate balance between innocence and experience, framed against the backdrop of a city and people emerging from the shadows of war.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

The Girls of Slender Means is praised for its sharp wit and intellectual depth, with Muriel Spark being regarded as a master of comic-metaphysical storytelling by The New York Times. John Updike highlights the novel's lasting impact, likening its memorable nature to the sharp, clear impression left by shattered glass.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780241989128

Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 23 July 2020

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Penguin Books Ltd

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 9.0mm

Width: 111.0mm

Height: 181.0mm

Weight: 88g

Pages: 144

Collections

Fiction General Fiction Literary Fiction Muriel Spark Penguin Books

About the Author

Muriel Spark's many novels include Memento Mori, The Girls of Slender Means, A Far Cry From Kensington, The Prime Of Miss Jean Brodie (adapted for film and theatre), Aiding And Abetting and her final novel, The Finishing School. She was elected C. Litt in 1992 and awarded the DBE in 1993. Dame Muriel Spark received many awards, including the James Tait Black Memorial Prize, the FNAC Prix Etranger, the Saltire Prize, the Ingersoll T. S. Eliot Award and the David Cohen British Literature Prize in recognition of a lifetime's literary achievement. Dame Muriel Spark died in 2006.

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