Art reality & the strange ways the two imitate one another are at the core of Muriel Sparks delightful Loitering with Intent first published in 1981. Would-be novelist Fleur Talbot works for the snooty irascible Sir Quentin Oliver at the Autobiographical Association whose members are all at work on their memoirs. When her employer gets his hands on Fleurs novel-in-progress mayhem ensues when its scenes begin coming true. Generating hilarious turns of phrase & larger-than-life characters (especially Sir Quentins batty mother) Sparks inimitable style make this literary joyride thoroughly appealing.