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The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie

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The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie

By: Muriel Spark
Narrated by: Miriam Margolyes
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About this listen

"You girls are my vocation... I am dedicated to you in my prime."

So says Miss Jean Brodie, a teacher unlike any other. She is proud and cultured. A romantic, with progressive, sometimes shocking ideas and aspirations for the girls in her charge. When she decides to transform a select group of pupils into the 'crème de la crème' at the Marcia Blaine School they become the Brodie set. In exchange for their undivided loyalty, the girls earn a special place of honour and privilege within the school. Yet they are also introduced to a startling new world of adult games and intrigues, and as boundaries are crossed so the difficulties start to unfold.

Miriam Margolyes, one of Britain's finest character actors, gives a highly accomplished performance; rediscover this classic on the 100th anniversary of Muriel Spark's birth.

©1961 Copyright Administration Ltd (P)2011 Canongate Books Classics Genre Fiction Literary Fiction Fiction Short Story

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Great unabridged recording of this classic novel. If would be good to have the other versions here too, one read by the wonderful Nadia May, which I have not heard yet and the other by the incomparable Geraldine McEwan, which I have. Miss McEwan (who also played Jean Brodie in the newly released TV series on DVD) reads this with a touch of genius but never goes over-the-top. I hope her version will be available at some point as ISIS Audio no longer have the rights to it and it would be a great loss to the listening public if another publisher did not acquire them.



Bruce Martin

Wonderful to have an audio version of this

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Really enjoyable. Miriam reads splendidly.
Not, perhaps, for readers still in their prime but wonderful for those past their prime.

Great read

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this novel does not have a plot in the traditional sense but weaves around the life of a Scottish school mistress and her favoured pupils. It has a dry humour and ironic tone. enjoyed it

An original novel with a dry humour

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I found parts of this quite unnerving
Jean's admiration of Mussolini & Hitler,
her, at times, bullying nature towards the girls. Though it felt at other times she endeavoured to encourage their individuality.
I enjoyed the enlightening aspect for the period that a woman needn't be married to be happy, she could travel independently experience the world.
Miriam Margoyles has a very listenable voice but the Scottish accents were jarring.

Miss Jean Brodie

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Miriam Margolyes brings this to life in such a beautiful, tender way. Her voice will forever be Miss Brodie in my mind.

Wonderful Stuff

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I read this book at least 40 years ago when I was a schoolgirl myself. It is interesting to revisit this book as there is so much more to it than I gleaned from it as a teenager. I would say it is worth a second or even third listen or read. Miriam Margolyes narrated this book brilliantly.

So much more to the story than I remembered

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Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

No as I found the accent jarring

Would you be willing to try another book from Muriel Spark? Why or why not?

Yes, I think she could have some interesting books

What three words best describe Miriam Margolyes’s voice?

Jarring

Do you think The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

No. Not necessary

Not my favourite

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This is a great listen. I have always loved the book and it was read so wonderfully by Miriam Margolyes. I recommend it.

Great Classic

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Fantastic story, well deserving of its classical status. Miriam Margolyes is Fantastic, you forget that there is only one person reading. Absolutely brilliant.

Engaging and superbly enjoyable

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Miriam Margolyes brings the characters and the narrative to life far better than reading the pages ever could. The pacing and slight pauses to let the listener reflect are excellently judged.

Very well brought to life

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