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owenwilsonbaby's review against another edition
dark
funny
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
‘"I wonder, was it Rose who betrayed me?' The whine in her voice -"… betrayed me, betrayed me' - bored and afflicted Sandy. It is seven years, thought Sandy, since I betrayed this tiresome woman. What does she mean by ‘betray'? She was looking at the hills as if to see there the first and unbetrayable Miss Brodie, indifferent to criticism as a crag.’
I really liked this! The writing style might not be for everyone but really worked for me. The characterisation and description was very sharp, and captures something that felt very authentic about the experience of growing up a teenage girl (and the moments of joy and cruelty that come with that). The exploration of fascism was really clever and the themes of not blindly trusting your idols were developed really well. I loved how Miss Brodie was given a lot of nuance whilst also being completely condemned. I adored the narrative style of flicking back and forth through time quite casually. The flashbacks and flash forwards could be a bit jarring but I do think Spark’s voice is compelling enough that you get completely wrapped up in the style and carried along by it. I’ll definitely check out some more Muriel Spark once I’m out of my reading slump! The brevity of this book made it an excellent choice for getting back on track with reading.
I really liked this! The writing style might not be for everyone but really worked for me. The characterisation and description was very sharp, and captures something that felt very authentic about the experience of growing up a teenage girl (and the moments of joy and cruelty that come with that). The exploration of fascism was really clever and the themes of not blindly trusting your idols were developed really well. I loved how Miss Brodie was given a lot of nuance whilst also being completely condemned. I adored the narrative style of flicking back and forth through time quite casually. The flashbacks and flash forwards could be a bit jarring but I do think Spark’s voice is compelling enough that you get completely wrapped up in the style and carried along by it. I’ll definitely check out some more Muriel Spark once I’m out of my reading slump! The brevity of this book made it an excellent choice for getting back on track with reading.
Moderate: War, Body shaming, Alcohol, Adult/minor relationship, Child death, Death, and Infidelity
tecas's review against another edition
1.5
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Death, and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Bullying, Adult/minor relationship, and Sexual assault
coffeecass's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Moderate: Death, Adult/minor relationship, Child death, and Fire/Fire injury
librarymouse's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This novel is a really interesting character study of some pretty terrible people. It was really well written, though by the end of the novel, every time someone said Miss Jean Brodie is in her prime with gusto/conviction, it's almost comical. The whole book feels slightly queer coded, especially Miss Brodie's interest in a select few of her students' sexuality. It's palpable to the extent that Sandy once ponders the possibility of her being a lesbian.
Graphic: Death, Toxic friendship, Sexual harassment, Fire/Fire injury, Sexual assault, Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, and Sexual content
Minor: War
molliepop's review
challenging
funny
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Experimental in style, this wildly inappropriate story sees a teacher curating a group of impressionable students to be her confidants on matters of politics, (sexual) relationships and religion.
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child death, Death, and Sexual assault
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