Friday, February 4, 2011

Top ten stories of old age

Paul Bailey's novels include At The Jerusalem (1967), which won the Somerset Maugham award; Peter Smart's Confessions (1977) and Gabriel's Lament (1986), both shortlisted for the Booker prize; Sugar Cane (1993), a sequel to Gabriel's Lament; and Chapman's Odyssey.

He named his top ten stories of old age for the Guardian, including:
Memento Mori by Muriel Spark

Spark's masterpiece, with its echoing reminders that we must all die, is horrifically funny from beginning to end. The dialogue throughout is a joy.
Read about the other stories on Bailey's list.

--Marshal Zeringue