You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.55 AVERAGE
3.55 AVERAGE
o doubt, many people will be more familiar with the cinematic version of 1969, but I must say the book is far better, for the usual reasons (nuance and depth not the least).
Upon some reflection on our recent reading habits, we have deliberately chosen a ‘feminine’ novel to mix things up a bit. I have been worried about Henry’s escalating assertive masculinity, and figured that a book written by a woman, set in a girl’s school and ostensibly about a ‘strong’ women in her prime would offer a counter balance to the raging testosterone that has taken over the house.
Having not read any Murial Spark previously, let’s just say that I was taken by surprise. I was taken aback by the complexity of the narrative and plot. This is a book rich and original in style. In terms of delivering a ‘feminine’ voice, I guess it did that. I am not sure if it delivers a message that will be helpful for Henry to hear however! You see, the feminine voice was overwhelmingly Machiavellian in its intent, with all of her characters (except, of course, all of the men and the regrettably stupid Mary McGregor) exhibiting rather base moral frameworks and motivations.
What struck me most was the rather tragic figure that Miss Jean Brodie – a woman in her prime – eventually becomes. It is also an intriguing reflection on the costs of focusing all of one’s attention on the crème de la crème. I will refrain from saying more and risk spoiling the book, for I recommend it highly to all readers.
What I would like to briefly do is reflect for one moment on the notion of one’s prime. I once believed that my prime occurred between the ages of 19 and 24. Yet now I am starting to recognise that this period is better understood as perhaps my early prime. It has been no doubt my physical prime, but I am starting to think that I have another prime to look forward to.
Thus, despite the novel being exceptionally bleak in tone, I do take some solace in Miss Brodie’s exhortation to her students from early in the novel:
There may be hope for me yet!
Upon some reflection on our recent reading habits, we have deliberately chosen a ‘feminine’ novel to mix things up a bit. I have been worried about Henry’s escalating assertive masculinity, and figured that a book written by a woman, set in a girl’s school and ostensibly about a ‘strong’ women in her prime would offer a counter balance to the raging testosterone that has taken over the house.
Having not read any Murial Spark previously, let’s just say that I was taken by surprise. I was taken aback by the complexity of the narrative and plot. This is a book rich and original in style. In terms of delivering a ‘feminine’ voice, I guess it did that. I am not sure if it delivers a message that will be helpful for Henry to hear however! You see, the feminine voice was overwhelmingly Machiavellian in its intent, with all of her characters (except, of course, all of the men and the regrettably stupid Mary McGregor) exhibiting rather base moral frameworks and motivations.
What struck me most was the rather tragic figure that Miss Jean Brodie – a woman in her prime – eventually becomes. It is also an intriguing reflection on the costs of focusing all of one’s attention on the crème de la crème. I will refrain from saying more and risk spoiling the book, for I recommend it highly to all readers.
What I would like to briefly do is reflect for one moment on the notion of one’s prime. I once believed that my prime occurred between the ages of 19 and 24. Yet now I am starting to recognise that this period is better understood as perhaps my early prime. It has been no doubt my physical prime, but I am starting to think that I have another prime to look forward to.
Thus, despite the novel being exceptionally bleak in tone, I do take some solace in Miss Brodie’s exhortation to her students from early in the novel:
“One's prime is elusive. You little girls, when you grow up, must be on the alert to recognise your prime at whatever time of your life it may occur.”
There may be hope for me yet!
The first 50 pages (a full quarter of the book) were lousy, but then I was hooked. It was kind of terrifying, but I was very interested in the ideas!
I'm always pleased to finally read a book that I've heard about years ago and "have always meant to read". I'm also always very pleased to know so little about it that it's a real surprise (don't ask me how I manage to maintain that kind of ignorance, but I see it as a bonus rather than a failing).
It's the 1930s and a terribly progressive teacher in Edinburgh chooses a small group of girls to be her "special set", probably on the basis that they are immediately swayed by her elegance/difference to the other teachers/alternative way of thinking. She isn't interested in the standard curriculum and follows her own whims, e,g, telling the whole class about what she sees on her travels abroad and getting them to pretend they're studying maths or history whenever the headmistress drops in. The Brodie Set become her personal confidantes, visiting her at home for cups of tea and continuing this 'friendship' even after their two years with her as their teacher.
The girls were 10 years old when she began grooming them.
A fascinating little story.
It's the 1930s and a terribly progressive teacher in Edinburgh chooses a small group of girls to be her "special set", probably on the basis that they are immediately swayed by her elegance/difference to the other teachers/alternative way of thinking. She isn't interested in the standard curriculum and follows her own whims, e,g, telling the whole class about what she sees on her travels abroad and getting them to pretend they're studying maths or history whenever the headmistress drops in. The Brodie Set become her personal confidantes, visiting her at home for cups of tea and continuing this 'friendship' even after their two years with her as their teacher.
The girls were 10 years old when she began grooming them.
A fascinating little story.
funny
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I only made it 120 pages in and I'm so bored I could scream. Why is this book so beloved?
This is the first book off my reading challenge that I've been seriously tempted to give up on. It was just not for me. The text is repetitive. The characters are flat and defined by one characteristic. Miss Brodie is supposed to be sort of progressive teacher but really she's lazy, irresponsible, and maybe supporters Nazis. There are no major plot twists or lessons learned. Maybe the whole thing went right over my head but I just didn't get this book.
My 2007 bookcrossing review:
I enjoyed this book so much. It is definately one I could read again. The writing is brilliant and the characters are so alive and eccentric - you really get drawn into their world.
It's a story of feminist, opinionated and typically eccentric schoolteacher Miss Brodie and her "Brodie-set" - a small select group of her pupils that she really sees as daughters she never had I think, and as she gets older, an extension of herself (rather like parents living through their children). It's set between the two world wars in Edinburgh, and Miss Brodie is not perfect - there's actually a little facist in her as she gets caught up in the times and admires Mussolini and Hitler.
The girls start off idiolising her, imagining what her life outside of school is, and gradually as they grow up, gain their own identities, they learn that she is not perfect, and do drift apart. Miss Brodie is eventually "betrayed" by Sandy - who sees the final straw when Miss Brodie confides that she encouraged a new girl to the pack to go to Spain to fight for Franco - and this girl was killed in a train accident. Miss Brodie, who was in her prime in the early part of the book, has certainly passed it now and obsessing about which girl betrayed her until her death, without ever finding out.
I enjoyed this book so much. It is definately one I could read again. The writing is brilliant and the characters are so alive and eccentric - you really get drawn into their world.
It's a story of feminist, opinionated and typically eccentric schoolteacher Miss Brodie and her "Brodie-set" - a small select group of her pupils that she really sees as daughters she never had I think, and as she gets older, an extension of herself (rather like parents living through their children). It's set between the two world wars in Edinburgh, and Miss Brodie is not perfect - there's actually a little facist in her as she gets caught up in the times and admires Mussolini and Hitler.
The girls start off idiolising her, imagining what her life outside of school is, and gradually as they grow up, gain their own identities, they learn that she is not perfect, and do drift apart. Miss Brodie is eventually "betrayed" by Sandy - who sees the final straw when Miss Brodie confides that she encouraged a new girl to the pack to go to Spain to fight for Franco - and this girl was killed in a train accident. Miss Brodie, who was in her prime in the early part of the book, has certainly passed it now and obsessing about which girl betrayed her until her death, without ever finding out.
This is an ironic and wonderful complex and thought-provoking novella. If I were to write a book, I'd wish it to be this good. On the surface, it's a light-hearted portrait of youth, but underneath it's so much more than that.
Miss Jean Brodie is head-strong, eccentric and not a little bit fascist. Muriel Spark mirrors the 1930's via Miss Brodie's "set". Miss Brodie thinks her admiration of Mussolini and then Hitler, whose orderliness she admires makes her European and progressive. She mirrors their fascism with the way she "directs" her "set". The first part of the story is light and entertaining, but as Miss Brodie continues her influence (and fascism spreads across the continent) the reader can't help but be aware of the danger of setting aside the individual for the whole and how quickly morality and humanity can be lost.
Miss Jean Brodie is head-strong, eccentric and not a little bit fascist. Muriel Spark mirrors the 1930's via Miss Brodie's "set". Miss Brodie thinks her admiration of Mussolini and then Hitler, whose orderliness she admires makes her European and progressive. She mirrors their fascism with the way she "directs" her "set". The first part of the story is light and entertaining, but as Miss Brodie continues her influence (and fascism spreads across the continent) the reader can't help but be aware of the danger of setting aside the individual for the whole and how quickly morality and humanity can be lost.