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3.55 AVERAGE
3.55 AVERAGE
2.5 stars
I can see how this book is considered a classic; however, I personally didn't care for the writing style and I could not relate to any of the characters, despite my best efforts.
I can see how this book is considered a classic; however, I personally didn't care for the writing style and I could not relate to any of the characters, despite my best efforts.
Miss Brodie's self-proclaimed prime was not exactly what I expected, what with all the fascist sympathizing and the ongoing psychosexual manipulation. Emotional complexity and comedic repetition enliven what would otherwise be a typical tale of British schoolchildren in uniform. I recommend this short, entertaining, non-linear novella.
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
It makes me sad that I did not love this book. It seems that many readers find much to love about Jean Brodie.
The novella reads like a collection of stories about a Scottish boarding school teacher and a set (“The Brodie set”) of young female students who become her protégés throughout their formative years.
But the mystery of the book is that one of the students betrays Jean Brodie and she gets sacked from her position for teaching fascism.
I admit that my disappointment may partially stem from an expectation that we would have stories set in the classroom and that is decidedly not the case here. They focus more on Brodie’s role as a mentor.
My other major disappointment is that I didn’t find any of the characters that interesting and I didn’t care who committed the betrayal.
The novella reads like a collection of stories about a Scottish boarding school teacher and a set (“The Brodie set”) of young female students who become her protégés throughout their formative years.
But the mystery of the book is that one of the students betrays Jean Brodie and she gets sacked from her position for teaching fascism.
I admit that my disappointment may partially stem from an expectation that we would have stories set in the classroom and that is decidedly not the case here. They focus more on Brodie’s role as a mentor.
My other major disappointment is that I didn’t find any of the characters that interesting and I didn’t care who committed the betrayal.
challenging
funny
lighthearted
reflective
tense
medium-paced
I loved the movie when I was a kid, but had never read the novel. Of course, once you see Maggie Smith as Jean Brodie, it's hard to imagine anyone else in the role, but I enjoyed reading the novel. Muriel Spark had a very interesting way of introducing characters, jumping ahead 20+ years with a revelation, and then winding back to the current story line. Recommend.
This is a fascinating novella, because at the outset it seems like it's going to be a tragic tale of a teacher ahead of her time who's trying to break out of the mold and educate her young female students despite administrative pushback. Where it goes is way more interesting (and disturbing) than that. Is Miss Brodie a smart and forward-thinking educator who sees something special in her students, or is she a cunning manipulator who enjoys the fantasy that she's shaping them in her image? Is she complicated or repulsive? Is the story a cautionary tale or a farce? How things seem at the beginning and how they look in hindsight at the end are very different, though as one of the girls muses, is that because Miss Brodie's character changes over time, or only because we've gained more insight into who she really is? The fact that I can't wholly decide most of those things is what makes The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie so interesting and Muriel Spark such a great novelist.
A disturbing novel using a teacher and a small group of her students to show how worryingly easy it is for fascism to spread, and the influence which adults can have on children.
My only critique is that it is repetitive at points.
My only critique is that it is repetitive at points.
challenging
dark
emotional
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes