Book: According to Mark

"According to Mark" by Penelope Lively is a captivating exploration of identity, memory, and the intricate layers of human relationships. The novel centers around Mark Lamming, a biographer whose life is tangled with the nuances of his subjects more than he realizes. Engrossed in the life of Gilbert Strong, a late, celebrated novelist, Mark embarks on a journey to uncover the truths of Strong's life and works. His research takes him to Dean Close, where he encounters Strong's enigmatic granddaughter, Carrie. Through their interactions, Mark grapples with the subjective nature of truth and the complexities of deciphering another person’s life. As Mark delves deeper into both Strong's past and his growing relationship with Carrie, Lively crafts a narrative rich with wit, introspection, and a touch of romantic tension. With her keen observations on the human condition and an elegantly woven plot, Lively invites readers to contemplate the blurred lines between professional and personal life, and the stories we construct about others and ourselves.