'It never really occurred to her that literary men, if they like women at all, do not want literary women but girls.' The May of Teck Club 'exists for the Pecuniary Convenience and Social Protection of Ladies of Slender Means below the age of Thirty Years'. Nevertheless, and though there is a war on, they find the time between elocution lessons to jostle one another over suitors (some more suitable than others) and a single Schiaparelli gown. But can a love of literature, fine clothes and amorous young men save these young ladies from the horrors of the real world? 'Unsettling and exhilarating' William Boyd, Daily Telegraph 'An enduring genius' Guardian

Caroline Rose is plagued by the tapping of typewriter keys and the strange, detached narration of her every thought and action. Caroline has an unusual problem - she realises she is in a novel. Her fellow characters also seem deluded: Laurence, her former lover, finds diamonds in a loaf of bread - has his elderly grandmother hidden them there? And Baron Stock, her bookseller friend, believes he is on the trail of England's leading Satanist. In Muriel Spark's brilliant first novel, the only things that aren't ambiguous are her matchless originality and glittering wit.

In mid-century London, aspiring writer Fleur becomes secretary to a group of egotists who are writing their memoirs in advance and uncovers material enough for any novelist, but is perplexed by the familiarity of their lives.

Rev. ed. of: Child of light. 1951. Describes the life of the author of "Frankenstein" and wife of the famous poet Percy Bysshe Shelly.

Once nce there was a very fine clock named Ticky, who lived with Professor Horace John Morris and who kept per- fect time.. In fact, he was the most reliable of all the professor's friends. He was more than that-he was also very wise. Muriel Spark has given us a charm- ing, gentle tale. Combined with Edward Gorey's sharp and witty pen drawings, THE VERY FINE CLOCK is a VERY FINE picture book.