About the Book

Muriel Spark’s classic novel, widely hailed as one of the twentieth century's best—the story of a young, unorthodox teacher and her special (and ultimately dangerous) relationship with six of her students, now available as a Harper Perennial Olive Edition.

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, 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 crème de la crème. 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.

Critical Praise

“Admirably written.” — Saturday Review

“A gloriously witty and polished vignette.” — Times Literary Supplement

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

“[A] lovely new edition. . . . With caustic humor and stripped-down restraint, Spark makes us feel Jean Brodie’s sadness and ache. Maggie Smith played the character in a famous film, but the book itself is even more powerful.” — Los Angeles Times

“A remarkable novel.” — New Statesman

“A perfect book.” — Chicago Tribune

“Intelligent, witty. . . . Spark’s powers of invention are apparently inexhaustible.” — Commonweal

“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.” — John Updike, The New Yorker

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Product Details

• ISBN: 9780063459816
• ISBN 10: 0063459817
• Imprint: Harper Perennial
• On Sale: 09/02/2025
• Trimsize: 4.500 in (w) x 7.120 in (h) x 0.000 in (d)
• Pages: 176
• List Price: $12.00
• BISAC1 : FICTION / Classics
• BISAC2 : FICTION / Thrillers / Espionage
• BISAC3 : FICTION / Historical
• BISAC4 : FICTION / Friendship
• BISAC5 : FICTION / Feminist
• BISAC6 : FICTION / Romance / Historical / Scottish
• BISAC7 : FICTION / Romance / Historical / 20th Century
• BISAC8 : FICTION / Thrillers / Historical
• BISAC9 : FICTION / Coming of Age
• BISAC10 : FICTION / Satire