{"product_id":"9781399764971","title":"Like a Cat Loves a Bird","description":"Author: James Bailey\u003cbr\u003eISBN: 9781399764971\u003cbr\u003ePublisher: Hodder \u0026amp; Stoughton\u003cbr\u003eYear first published: 21 Apr 2026\u003cbr\u003ePages: 320\u003cbr\u003eFormat: Paperback \/ softback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e\"This is a deeply stylish, astute and illuminating biography of a fascinating writer\"\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cb\u003eFRANCESCA WADE, author of \u003ci\u003eSquare Haunting\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cb\u003e\"Utterly charming. A book as elegant, sharp-witted and mischievous as its subject\"\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cb\u003eCLARE POLLARD, author of \u003ci\u003eDelphi\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cb\u003e\"Like a Spark novel, the moment my eyes met the page I knew I wouldn't be able to stop reading . . . A magnificent piece of work\"\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cb\u003eROBIN INCE\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cb\u003e\"She was, if you believe what you read in the papers: a genius, a survivor, a bad mother, a fickle friend, a closeted lesbian, a tyrant, a loner, an eccentric, a recluse, a gossip, and an arch-manipulator. She would politely encourage you not to believe what you read in the papers.\"\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eMuriel Spark was one of literature's great shapeshifters. That mercurial quality is found in her strange, brilliant, cruel novels\u003cb\u003e - \u003c\/b\u003ewith their plots featuring pensioners receiving telephone calls from Death, the devil going clubbing in Peckham and a fascist schoolmistress leading her coterie of girls astray \u003cb\u003e- \u003c\/b\u003ebut it is also true of her as a person. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eAs sly, nimble and elegant as Spark's own work, \u003ci\u003eLike a Cat Loves a Bird\u003c\/i\u003e is a thrilling new perspective on a remarkable life and career that spanned much of the twentieth century. From her childhood in Edinburgh to her final years in Tuscany - via South Africa, London, New York and Rome - it traces a light-footed journey around the world and through her strange and magnificent bibliography. It tells an irresistible story of transformation, wit and fierce determination and makes a passionate case for this vital modern artist.\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cb\u003e\"You don't have to be a Muriel Spark fan to enjoy the sharp wit of \u003ci\u003eLike a Cat Loves a Bird\u003c\/i\u003e, a fascinating and nuanced exploration of the sacrifices some make to focus on their art\"\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cb\u003eLUKE TURNER, author of \u003ci\u003eOut of the Woods\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cb\u003e\"Vital, fun and immediate . . . full of engaging and astute literary analysis of Spark's work as well as scintillating, vivid biography\"\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cb\u003eFRANCESCA REECE, author of \u003ci\u003eGlass Houses\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cb\u003e\"A readable and fascinating book, about an under-appreciated literary giant\" \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cb\u003eLUCINDA HAWKSLEY, author of \u003ci\u003eThe Mystery of Princess Louise\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e","brand":"Ships in 10 to 15 days","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47857167433886,"sku":"ADS-9781399764971","price":32.78,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0400\/9043\/5742\/files\/9781399764971.jpg?v=1781482488","url":"https:\/\/classicbargains.com.au\/products\/9781399764971","provider":"Classic Bargains Australia","version":"1.0","type":"link"}