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3.55 AVERAGE
3.55 AVERAGE
Apart from Spark's magnificent portrayal of the psychological development in each of the girls of the Brodie set, what I found truly admirable in the narrative was the astute revelation of who the real protagonist is and the underlying causes of this rather ironic turn of events.
I'm sure this has literary value but I hated it. It reads like poetry, not in a good way. I will never be able to hear anyone talk about someone "in her prime" again without thinking of this book, since that phrase is in there about 5000 times. Urgh. Miss Brodie is unconventional but not in a fun Mary Poppins way, in a Fascist way. Literally.
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
challenging
reflective
medium-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
Beautiful prose, superb storytelling. This was my first taste of Muriel Spark's writing, and I have been converted almost immediately. This is a fascinating tale, and Miss Jean Brodie is a character that you're bound to love and hate in equal measure.
A remarkable piece of literature, and a must for anyone interested in exceptional writing.
A remarkable piece of literature, and a must for anyone interested in exceptional writing.
I liked this book a lot. I think it was written beautifully, and I love the way she lets everything become clear and how things become important. Also it's about Scotland and I'm so used to reading about England, so that was refreshing.
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-paced
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.