Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.54 AVERAGE
3.54 AVERAGE
I picked this up on the spur of the moment having always meant to read it and never getting around to it. Also, at only 126 pages it's a quick read compared to most books! Everyone I know who's ever read this book raves about how good it is and I cannot disagree.
This is the tale of a woman who is, in her own words, in her prime. An unmarried woman in her thirties whose fiancé fell at Flander’s Field, she carries out two love affairs with male teachers at the school, in the full knowledge of her girls (and, later, the school authorities). She is ahead of her time, though she operates within strict moral guidelines of her own making. Her actions at times are quite shocking, even by today’s standards. For a teacher to take a group of students to the houses of her lovers is unorthodox to say the least, and would lead to the dismissal of any teacher if discovered. To then actively encourage a love affair between a man whom she has renounced (since he is married and she will not break her own code of conduct) and one of her girls is rather odd, but in character for this progressive woman. At this time it was still expected that a married woman should not work. Jean Brodie’s entire identity seems tied up with the compulsion to teach her girls, no matter what it takes, and it is seemingly for this reason that she rejects marriage.
Although this book is set very firmly in 1930s Edinburgh, it is not difficult to imagine the bold and unconventional Miss Brodie still creating a stir today. She is most definitely an iconic figure, and this book worthy of all its accolades.
This is the tale of a woman who is, in her own words, in her prime. An unmarried woman in her thirties whose fiancé fell at Flander’s Field, she carries out two love affairs with male teachers at the school, in the full knowledge of her girls (and, later, the school authorities). She is ahead of her time, though she operates within strict moral guidelines of her own making. Her actions at times are quite shocking, even by today’s standards. For a teacher to take a group of students to the houses of her lovers is unorthodox to say the least, and would lead to the dismissal of any teacher if discovered. To then actively encourage a love affair between a man whom she has renounced (since he is married and she will not break her own code of conduct) and one of her girls is rather odd, but in character for this progressive woman. At this time it was still expected that a married woman should not work. Jean Brodie’s entire identity seems tied up with the compulsion to teach her girls, no matter what it takes, and it is seemingly for this reason that she rejects marriage.
Although this book is set very firmly in 1930s Edinburgh, it is not difficult to imagine the bold and unconventional Miss Brodie still creating a stir today. She is most definitely an iconic figure, and this book worthy of all its accolades.
A charming little book that follows 6 children under the tutelage of a charismatic teacher. I never thought the book was spectacular, but I liked the dynamics between the characters enough to enjoy it.
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
funny
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Un livre qui semblait si plein de potentiel et qui... m'a laissée dehors à le regarder comme à travers une vitrine. Est ce le fait d'avoir lu une traduction plutôt que la version originale ? Juste pas la bonne période pour le lire ? Ou la difficulté d'éprouver de l'empathie pour un casting de personnages plus pathétiques, dans leurs désillusions de grandeur, les uns que les autres ? On finit par éprouver pour eux plus de pitié que de détestation, et ce n'est pas très agréable, quoi que clairement "plaisant" ne soit pas l'objectif de ce court roman. Bref, je n'étais pas le bon public, et s'il n'avait pas été aussi court, je ne l'aurais pas lu jusqu'au bout.
Le style est très particulier, avec des répétitions et les informations importantes données sur le ton le plus anodin, c'est extrêmement intelligent et travaillé, mais je ne sais pas, c'est comme si tout l'ouvrage présageait d'une déflagration qui n'est finalement jamais venue.
Très curieuse de voir malgré tout l'adaptation avec Maggie Smith. Des extraits diffusés au moment de son décès m'avaient donné envie de lire le livre.
Le style est très particulier, avec des répétitions et les informations importantes données sur le ton le plus anodin, c'est extrêmement intelligent et travaillé, mais je ne sais pas, c'est comme si tout l'ouvrage présageait d'une déflagration qui n'est finalement jamais venue.
Très curieuse de voir malgré tout l'adaptation avec Maggie Smith. Des extraits diffusés au moment de son décès m'avaient donné envie de lire le livre.
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I read this many years ago and wasn’t too impressed, given its film version is one of my all time favourites and the book seemed so short. When I saw this audiobook version narrated by Miriam Margolyes and being only 4 hours long I thought I’d give it a listen. I’m so glad I did - a superbly narrated, witty, clever story which now makes me realise what a brilliant job of the film they did. So much of the book is threaded into it so it doesn’t seem that very much was left out or added, giving testament to how well the characters and plot were written.
Very enjoyable witty tone to this. Interesting historical insight to the inter War period too.
challenging
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Starts out as cozy fluff, turns into a weird story about loyalty, betrayal, and influence.
informative
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
medium-paced