According to Mark is a 1984 novel by British writerPenelope Lively, published by William Heinemann. The novel follows biographer Mark Lamming as he researches the life of the late writer Gilbert Strong and becomes involved with Strong's granddaughter, Carrie. It was shortlisted for the 1984 Booker Prize for fiction.
Plot Mark Lamming, a biographer living in London with his wife Diana, is commissioned to write a biography of the late writer and essayist Gilbert Strong. His research takes him to Strong's former home, Dean Close, where Strong's granddaughter Carrie runs a garden center. Mark begins staying there regularly and develops feelings for Carrie. Hoping to learn more about Strong, he proposes visiting Carrie's mother, Hermione, in France, and asks Carrie to accompany him. Diana plans to join them later.
During the journey to France, Mark and Carrie begin a sexual relationship. After arriving at Hermione's home, tensions develop between Carrie and her mother, while Mark concludes that Hermione is unlikely to provide useful information for his biography. After Diana joins them, the group leaves and continues travelling through France. Uncomfortable travelling with Mark and Diana, Carrie eventually leaves without telling them and travels to Paris, where she meets an Englishman named Nick.
After returning to England, Carrie tells Mark that she has fallen in love with Nick. Mark then travels to Porluck to continue researching Gilbert Strong. After Mark injures his ankle and remains at the major's home, the major shows him letters Strong had written to Irene. The letters reveal that Strong had been in love with her and that she died shortly after agreeing to leave her husband for him.
The discovery provides Mark with information about a previously unexplained period in Strong's life and his later relationships. Believing he now has sufficient material to complete the biography, Mark returns to London and visits Carrie. In the final chapter, he attends a radio broadcast about Gilbert Strong.
Characters Mark Lamming is a biographer who lives in suburban London with his wife, Diana. He is portrayed as reserved and well-educated, and initially feels socially and intellectually superior to Carrie. As their relationship develops, he becomes increasingly interested in her work and personal life. His attraction to Carrie creates a conflict between his feelings for her and his continuing affection for his wife.
Carrie is portrayed as easy-going and relatively unexperienced. When Mark tells her that he has fallen in love with her, she is uncertain how to respond but allows their relationship to develop.
Diana, Mark's wife, is portrayed as highly organized and detail-oriented. She plans ahead, makes lists, and has a strong memory for minor details. Carrie views her as well-educated and direct.
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