56 pages • 1 hour read
The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie
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Book Brief
150
Novel • Fiction
Edinburgh, Scotland • 1930s
1961
Adult
18+ years
1120L
Super Short Summary
The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie by Muriel Spark follows a group of six girls in Edinburgh during the 1930s and 1940s, under the tutelage of their unorthodox teacher, Miss Jean Brodie. As Miss Brodie leads her "special set" of students through unconventional lessons, she influences their lives, particularly their personal and ideological development, amidst the backdrop of rising European fascism and her controversial pedagogical methods. Scenes involve sexual assault, grooming of students, and support for fascist ideologies.
Mysterious
Contemplative
Dark
Melancholic
Challenging
Reviews & Readership
60,066 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie by Muriel Spark is widely praised for its sharp wit and memorable characterization of the titular teacher. Critics admire Spark's economical prose and deft commentary on authority and influence. Some reviewers, however, find the narrative's nonlinear structure disorienting. Overall, the novel is celebrated for its incisive and thought-provoking storytelling.
Who Should Read The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie?
A reader who enjoys The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie by Muriel Spark would appreciate complex character studies, ironic humor, and themes of influence and control in educational settings. Comparable to readers of Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë and Atonement by Ian McEwan, they relish nuanced storytelling and moral ambiguities.
60,066 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Sandy Stranger
Sandy Stranger
A member of Miss Brodie's favored group, known for her small eyes and active imagination, who becomes central to the unfolding narrative through her complex relationship with Miss Brodie.
Teddy Lloyd
Teddy Lloyd
The art teacher who is captivated by Miss Brodie, known for his red-gold hair and artistic talent, and who subtly influences the dynamics within the group through his interactions with the students.
Rose Stanley
Rose Stanley
A tall, blond student in Miss Brodie's favorite group, recognized for her beauty and potential, whose future choices and resilience subtly challenge Miss Brodie's expectations.
150
Novel • Fiction
Edinburgh, Scotland • 1930s
1961
Adult
18+ years
1120L
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