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Audiobooks > Fiction >  Classics > The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie
The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie Audiobook, by Muriel Spark Play Audiobook Sample

Download The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie Audiobook

3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 (3.00) - 12,391 customer ratings
The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie Audiobook, by Muriel Spark Play Audiobook Sample
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Author: Muriel Spark Narrator: Wanda McCaddon Publisher: Blackstone Publishing Audio Length: Release Date: January 2006 Format: Unabridged Audiobook Delivery: Instant Download ISBN: 9781481544351
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Publisher Description

In the classic work that launched a play, a movie, and a song, Muriel Spark tells the darkly intriguing story of an eccentric Edinburgh teacher and the intense relationship she develops with six of her students.

At the staid Marcia Blaine School for Girls, in Edinburgh, Scotland, teacher extraordinaire Miss Jean Brodie is unmistakably, and outspokenly, in her prime. She is passionate in the application of her unorthodox teaching methods, preaching the value of art, passion, and daring. She is also passionate in her attraction to the married art master, Teddy Lloyd, in her affair with the bachelor music master, Gordon Lowther, and—most important—in her dedication to "her girls," the students she selects to be her cr├¿me de la cr├¿me. Fanatically devoted, each member of the Brodie set—Eunice, Jenny, Mary, Monica, Rose, and Sandy—is "famous for something," and Miss Brodie strives to bring out the best in each one. Determined to instill in them independence, passion, and ambition, Miss Brodie advises her girls, "Safety does not come first. Goodness, Truth, and Beauty come first. Follow me."

And they do. But one of them will betray her.

Told from the unsympathetic perspective of one of Miss Brodie's students, this novel explores themes of innocence, betrayal, and the tension between cold rationality and unchecked emotionalism.

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Quotes

  • “Muriel Spark is one of the few writers on either side of the Atlantic with enough resources, daring, and stamina to be altering, as well as feeding, the fiction machine.”

    - New Yorker

  • “A perfect book.”

    - Chicago Tribune

  • “Remarkable; Surprises are systematically reduced until there is only one left, and it is like the stab of a stiletto.”

    - Spectator

  • “A gloriously witty and polished vignette.”

    - Times Literary Supplement

  • “Admirably written, beautifully constructed, extremely amusing, and deeply serious.”

    - Saturday Review

  • “Narrator [Wanda McCaddon’s] voices are an almost musical backdrop to the story; her accents dance gracefully with one another throughout all types of interaction. Miss Jean Brodie’s eccentricities and the author’s use of time shifts are not lost in [McCaddon’s] reading. [McCaddon] keeps the reader right by her side.”

    - AudioFile

Awards

  • One of the Modern Library's 100 Best English-Language Novels of the Twentieth Century
  • One of Time Magazine's Best 100 English-Language Novels from 1923–2005

Customer Reviews

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  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " This was my first time reading Spark, and I have to confess that I had no idea who she was or what she was about. Now...I am annoyed. I loved her. Now I have to read everything she's ever written, and she wrote a LOT. Annoying. "

    - Syd, 2/18/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Audiobook. Rich character but I really don't know why this novel has endured. I guess the success of the girls in getting away from such a monumental/manipulative character in their lives is interesting... "

    - Deirdre, 2/15/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " The story is engaging enough, although the roundabout and repetitive style can be a little tiresome if not in the right mood. Nevertheless, it's an easy read, and highly enjoyable in its own way. The relationships and development between the characters are very entertaining to watch. "

    - Sarah, 2/4/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Miss Brodie is really a fascinating, fleshed-out characters, at once magnetic and needy and charismatic and manipulative. This novella really gets at the heart of imitation, admiration, religious devotion, mentorship, and what it means to be female. "

    - Jennifer, 1/31/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " While Jean Brodie was interesting, especially for the 30's I didn't take much from the novel. I wasn't invested in any of the girls. "

    - Katrina, 1/7/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " A very easily readable novel. Could be wrong but seems like quite a girly book! Being a girl I quite enjoyed it, however may not be to everyone's taste. "

    - Naomi, 1/1/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Really captured the feelings/perspectives of both the older unconventional woman and the awkward, exploratory, growing-up teen girls. I loved the book, and it was a quick read. "

    - Ashley, 12/16/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Loved this book! It was like taking bites of some very delicious and delicate food. "

    - Dasha, 11/28/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Another book I return to again and again. There's just something about it -- the use of flash forwards, the simple language for complex concepts, the turns of phrase that can characterize someone completely -- simply wonderful. "

    - Christine, 6/14/2013
  • Overall Performance: 1 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 5

    " I read this book for an upcoming "discussion night." It was not a book I would normally pick-up to read. The writing style was a little old-fashioned for my taste. The characters were unique. It will be interesting to find out what everyone else thought of the book. "

    - Brenda, 4/25/2013
  • Overall Performance: 1 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 5

    " I didn't get this book at all. I'm sure it had some deep underlying meaning. But I think I was looking for a story to translate that and I really didn't get that. "

    - angeljoy, 4/2/2013
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " Its was an average novel. A teacher inspiring a few girls to live their life on their own. Nothing that interesting. "

    - Deepa, 2/13/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Sharp writing that wonderfully captures an era: yet somehow the doom and evil of "Aunt Dan and Lemon" meets the dreamy surreality of "Picnic at Hanging Rock." Very enjoyable! "

    - Webcowgirl, 12/26/2012
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " picked this one after it appeared on a top 10 list from jezebel, summer reads. girls' school, 1930s, edgy teacher, etc etc. pretty good but short "

    - Brooke, 4/14/2012
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Utterly perfect. "

    - Darren, 12/23/2011
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " This is a perfect book. Seamless, thought provoking and poignant. And you will never read better transitions. "

    - William, 12/16/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Its a good exhibit A of the dangers of a liberal education "

    - Cris, 5/1/2011
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " A clever and witty, but somewhat smug and self-important little book. The premise got tiring fast, but hey, it was short. "

    - Lyndon, 5/1/2011
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " Unfortunately, I have to say this book rather bored me and is one big fat bof. I thought I'd love it because it came recommended by an English teacher and is set where I live, but to be honest, I was rather uninterested and wanted to kick Jean Brodie in the shins so she'd get on with it. "

    - Emilie, 4/24/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Not quite sure how I've managed to avoid reading this before but I'm glad I got around to it eventually! My plan is now to find the rest of Muriel Spark's books that I've also managed not to read. "

    - Kirsty, 4/17/2011
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5

    " I was excited to read this class--but I suppose that the movie must have been better than the book...it was a rather straightforward story, with v.little literary finesse, and no deeper meaning that I could appreciate. It was easy to read, but ultimately forgettable. "

    - Diana, 4/10/2011

About the Author

Muriel Spark (1918–2006) was born in Edinburgh, Scotland. She was the author of over twenty novels, including The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, as well as critical biographies, radio plays, children’s books, poetry, and short-story collections. She was made a Dame of the British Empire in 1993 and a Commandeur des Arts et des Lettres in 1996.

About the Narrator

Wanda McCaddon (a.k.a. Nadia May or Donada Peters) has narrated well over six hundred titles for major audiobook publishers, has earned numerous Earphones Awards, and was named a Golden Voice by AudioFile magazine.