Saturday, 12 March 2011

The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie By Muriel Spark

I read this in March 2011
I picked up a copy for myself at Waterstone's Bury St Edmunds on World Book Night.
I had not read this book before but remember seeing the film when I was young.  This book struck many resonances with me as although I was born in the 50's and this book is set in the 30's, it seems to me that by the time I reached the age of the Brodie Set, things had not changed much in Britain. 
Like Miss Brodie in the 30's many women were single as a consequence of so many young men dieing in the War.
Young girls of an impressionable age latch onto role models wherever they find them, is Miss Brodie so different then to the  celebrities young girls idolize today.  The big difference for me is that Jean Brodie knew exactly what she was doing and was preparing the girls to somehow take on the world in ways she would have done herself if only given the chance.   The bitter ironic twist of betrayal gives this book, for me, it's cutting edge.
I really enjoyed reading this small, but perfectly formed book.
Let me know if you enjoyed it to
I am going on a train journey to Bath and will give the book away there.
Helen
http://myworldbooknight.blogspot.com

1 comment:

  1. Gutted.

    I didnt realise until too late that World Book Night was coming to Waterstone's Bury.

    This was one book of the list I wanted to read.

    Glad you enjoyed it

    carol

    ReplyDelete