"The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie" Book Club

The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie is a short novel by Muriel Spark that packs a punch. 

A classic tale of betrayal, it is set at a fictional all-girls school in Edinburgh in the 1930s.

Widely considered Muriel Spark's masterpiece — and a brilliant book to re-read if you've already read it — it was first published in 1961 in The New Yorker, then as a standalone book. Time magazine and the Modern Library rank it as one of the best 100 novels of the 20th century. 

It was famously adapted into a film starring a young Maggie Smith, who won an Academy Award for her performance. At our last meeting, we'll compare and contrast the book and the movie.

Are meetings recorded?

Yes. All meetings are recorded and emailed out automatically to everyone who's signed up—so if you miss any of the meetings, you won't miss anything. 

Who is leading this book club?

Christopher Frizzelle, the founder of FrizzLit, is the former editor-in-chief of The Stranger and the host of the Silent Reading Party. His Substack is here. He described creating these book clubs in a 2022 piece for the Washington Post.

Which edition of the book are we reading?

We are reading this edition. If you get that, you'll have the same page numbers as everyone else during discussions. That said, if you have another copy you prefer, or if you'd like to check one out from your local library, that works too.

What do I need to read before the first meeting?

Nothing. There is no reading assignment to finish before our first meeting. At that initial meeting, expect to learn about Muriel Spark's life and get to know the other members of this book club. 

Is financial assistance available?

Yes. If you would like to join this class but price is a barrier, sponsorship funds are available to help make it possible. Please apply here.

Donations encouraged

If you choose to pay extra, you are automatically making a donation to the financial assistance fund. Thank you for making this class accessible to people who would not be able to afford it otherwise.

Art

Muriel Spark portrait by Kathryn Rathke