The Driver’s Seat by Muriel Spark

Book Review by Poppy Leverington

The Driver’s seat by Muriel Spark is a curious story of a headstrong woman and her travels to find the man that is ‘her type.’ The intricate detail of main character Lise’s encounters with those around her reveals her unique quirks and impulsive personality that provides an unorthodox approach to a main character. Unsure of whether she is to be backed by the reader, she is closely followed over the shoulder nonetheless. Apprehensive and engaged by what she might do next.

The story unravels steadily, leaving strings of evidence as to what the future might hold, feathering out delights of ups and downs within her seemingly frantic nature. Until the abrupt ending pushes the reader to delve back into the beginning. Scanning for hints that may have been glanced over and missed, as well as all the characters that are given a minute of Lise’s time and require a revisit for the significance of their embrace. Although, that is to say that the overuse of the redundant ‘lips parted’ description was a slight drone in the ear throughout the book, the author’s clever storytelling smacks right in the red face of the reader once the last page is turned, leaving you alone searching for a speck more before realising it’s come to a close. There’s nothing more to do for a curious reader than to think back to chapter one, back to where Lise started in the story and how things might have played out prior to what was written, unfolding the circumstances we came to know. An author that can urge the reader to ponder to the point of rereading is a master of mystery and elegant story writing.