Book Review: Muriel Spark is a treasure. Each of her books is different, except they all overflow with wit, cheddar sharp observation, and a brilliantly clever, active intellect that entertains and astonishes. Her books flow so smoothly that the reader sometimes glides right over what would be the high point of many a writer's page. The Comforters was Muriel Spark's first novel and laid the template for the 21 short novels to come (tho no two plots are alike). Every page has at least one line to make the reader sit back and marvel. The plot is composed of many characters (another Muriel Spark characteristic) all of whom have part of the story, but not the whole of it. The characters come and go, seemingly at random, involved in gem smuggling, religious conversions, disembodied voices, and much more, but don't get too hung up on any of it -- Spark doesn't. The Comforters is British, charming, and lets us laugh wryly at the characters even while rooting them on. She doesn't get into the gutter and narrates at a comfortable remove; while not reluctant to recognize the world as it is, Spark in The Comforters doesn't let reality stand in the way of a good story. In fact, one of the characters believes that she might be in a novel herself (cf. the movie Stranger than Fiction). If you come across a Muriel Spark novel, read it. It won't take long and you may just fall in love. [4 Stars]
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