The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie

by Muriel Spark
The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie cover
Good Books rating 4.69
Literary Fiction
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  • ID: 1079
  • Added: 2025-09-25
  • Updated: 2025-11-29
  • ISBN: 9781782117698
  • Publisher: Canongate Books
  • Published: 2015-08-06
  • Formats: 204
  • Reviews: 4

The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie is a celebrated novel by Muriel Spark, first published in 1961. It revolves around Miss Jean Brodie, a teacher at the Marcia Blaine Academy who is known for her unique and sometimes controversial teaching methods. She takes a select group of girls under her wing, forming the 'Brodie set,' who are spellbound by her unconventional ideas and personal life. As the girls grow older, Miss Brodie's influence over them deepens, and her ambitions for their futures take a startling and dark turn. The novel explores themes of obsession, manipulation, and the consequences of unchecked influence, culminating in devastating events that change the lives of the Brodie set forever.

Reviews
I Fear Those Big Words · 2024-02-12
great 4.50

The novel is excellently structured, with a sense of impending doom that keeps readers engaged.

The reviewer praises the novel's excellent structure and the tension created by the sense of impending doom. They note that the narrative keeps readers wondering how the characters will navigate their situations. The reviewer appreciates the vivid character portrayals and the warm humanity depicted, making the story both engaging and relatable. The book's ability to maintain suspense throughout is particularly highlighted.

Quick quotes

    It's an excellently structured novel.

    You know it'll all crash down, and you'll spend the whole book wondering how Miss Brodie doesn't get caught.

    The characters are vivid and warmly human.

louloureads · 2022-01-07
excellent 4.75

This is a superlative book that is both short and profound, making it a standout read.

The reviewer considers this book to be superlative, noting the contrast between its short length and its profound impact. They highlight the book's ability to delve deeply into its themes despite its brevity. The reviewer appreciates the rich character development and the intricate narrative structure, making it a memorable and thought-provoking read.

Quick quotes

    It is really a superlative book – as can be seen in this very long post about a very short book.

    It's difficult to review this without spoiling anything.

    The book's short length belies its depth.

Julia's Books · 2020-01-16
brilliant 4.50

This book is a highly complex and thematically dense piece. It requires a measured pace to fully appreciate its depth.

The reviewer found this book to be a highly complex and multi-layered work. They emphasize the importance of reading it slowly to fully grasp its thematic depth. The reviewer highlights the rich and intricate nature of the narrative, making it a rewarding read for those who take the time to engage with it thoroughly. The book's short length belies its depth, and the reviewer appreciates the nuanced storytelling.

Quick quotes

    A highly complex, multi-layered and thematically dense piece of work.

    You simply have to read every word on its 127 pages and read them at the measured pace.

    It requires a measured pace to fully appreciate its depth.

The Guardian · 2006-04-22
admiring 5.00

Miss Jean Brodie is considered one of the most memorable fictional characters, and the novel is regarded as Muriel Spark's best work. The reviewer highlights the character's vitality and the novel's timeless appeal.

This reviewer holds the novel in high esteem, praising it as Muriel Spark's best work and highlighting Miss Jean Brodie as one of the most memorable fictional characters. They appreciate the character's vitality and the novel's enduring appeal. The reviewer's tone is admiring, suggesting that the book has left a lasting impression and continues to be relevant. They seem to enjoy the character's complexity and the way she is portrayed in the story.

Quick quotes

    The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie (1961) was Muriel Spark's best novel.

    Jean Brodie is one of the very few postwar fictional characters to have entered the popular consciousness.

    The character's vitality is just as real as the girls imagined.

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