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A review by badger_badger
The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie by Muriel Spark
dark
funny
medium-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
5.0
Very short enticing, humorous book with lots to say!
Feels like everything written is done so intentionally, ‘efficiently’, which is wonderful to see how much you can get from such a short book. Layers and layers of meaning and things to consider in the text: sex and sexuality, womanhood, power, devotion, religion, social games, charismatic leaders (the thread to the way fascism is explored here being clear).
I loved how hyper local it felt to Edinburgh, just dripping with a a really particular social character, and then still universal it is in the exploration of how people can be.
I also enjoyed the skipping of time frame and how it was viewed through Sandys tiny insightful eyes. I think this helps with the character development and sense of intensity. I think Spark writes it well that you are also somewhat taken in by Brodie while also finding her ridiculous, suspect, comic, tragic.
The whole relationship between Jean Brodie and the Brodie Set is obviously one of grooming, and the way this all plays out with the other teachers is at times horrifying. I’ve added some minor content warnings not because they are minor issues but because they are not explicitly described, this book is read by children in Scottish high schools, and I think it comes across quite clearly that the author is not endorsing the more sordid parts of the story.
Feels like everything written is done so intentionally, ‘efficiently’, which is wonderful to see how much you can get from such a short book. Layers and layers of meaning and things to consider in the text: sex and sexuality, womanhood, power, devotion, religion, social games, charismatic leaders (the thread to the way fascism is explored here being clear).
I loved how hyper local it felt to Edinburgh, just dripping with a a really particular social character, and then still universal it is in the exploration of how people can be.
I also enjoyed the skipping of time frame and how it was viewed through Sandys tiny insightful eyes. I think this helps with the character development and sense of intensity. I think Spark writes it well that you are also somewhat taken in by Brodie while also finding her ridiculous, suspect, comic, tragic.
The whole relationship between Jean Brodie and the Brodie Set is obviously one of grooming, and the way this all plays out with the other teachers is at times horrifying. I’ve added some minor content warnings not because they are minor issues but because they are not explicitly described, this book is read by children in Scottish high schools, and I think it comes across quite clearly that the author is not endorsing the more sordid parts of the story.
Content Warnings
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Sexual harassment, War