The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie -
Muriel Spark
1961 - Macmillan and Co Ltd, London - First Edition in book form
‘To me, education is a leading out of what is already there in a pupil’s soul.’
A superb fine first edition of Spark’s internationally acclaimed master-work, hailed by Time magazine as one of the best English-language novels of the 20th century. The story of the inimitable Jean Brodie, and the six young girls she not merely educates, but mentors in everything from art and the classics, to love, travel, and even fascism. The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie first appeared in the New Yorker magazine, before its publication as a novel.
Muriel Spark (1918-2006) was an award-winning Scottish novelist, recognised by The Times as one of the ‘50 greatest British writers since 1945’. She began her literary career after the war, writing poetry and criticism, and published her first novel, The Comforters, while residing in Camberwell, south-east London, in 1957. She would later leave the UK, and live in New York for several years, before eventually settling in Italy, where she remained until her death in 2006.
While much of her work revolves around serious themes, as well as religious overtones (memories of her own experiences before and after a conversion to Roman Catholicism), it is usually executed with lightness and humour. As a result of these contradictory elements, Spark was often criticised for a pervading sense of cruelty and detachment toward her characters.
‘Muriel Spark’s novels are fiercely composed and devoutly starved.’ – James Wood
References: Lacayo, ‘All Time 100 Novels’ Time magazine 2005. ‘Muriel Spark Dies at 88’’ New York Times 2006. ‘The 50 greatest British writers since 1945’ The Times 2008. Wood, ‘Never Apologise, Never Explain’ The Guardian 2006.
Thin octavo (book size 20.4x13.7cm), pp. [4] 171 [1]. In the publisher’s light green cloth, spine lettered in gilt. Dust jacket priced ‘13s 6d net’ to lower corner of the front flap Condition: Fine book in fine dust jacket but for some a very small amount of wear to upper corners. Ref: 112546 Price: HK$ 6,000
A superb fine first edition of Spark’s internationally acclaimed master-work, hailed by Time magazine as one of the best English-language novels of the 20th century. The story of the inimitable Jean Brodie, and the six young girls she not merely educates, but mentors in everything from art and the classics, to love, travel, and even fascism. The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie first appeared in the New Yorker magazine, before its publication as a novel.
Muriel Spark (1918-2006) was an award-winning Scottish novelist, recognised by The Times as one of the ‘50 greatest British writers since 1945’. She began her literary career after the war, writing poetry and criticism, and published her first novel, The Comforters, while residing in Camberwell, south-east London, in 1957. She would later leave the UK, and live in New York for several years, before eventually settling in Italy, where she remained until her death in 2006.
While much of her work revolves around serious themes, as well as religious overtones (memories of her own experiences before and after a conversion to Roman Catholicism), it is usually executed with lightness and humour. As a result of these contradictory elements, Spark was often criticised for a pervading sense of cruelty and detachment toward her characters.
‘Muriel Spark’s novels are fiercely composed and devoutly starved.’ – James Wood
References: Lacayo, ‘All Time 100 Novels’ Time magazine 2005. ‘Muriel Spark Dies at 88’’ New York Times 2006. ‘The 50 greatest British writers since 1945’ The Times 2008. Wood, ‘Never Apologise, Never Explain’ The Guardian 2006.
Thin octavo (book size 20.4x13.7cm), pp. [4] 171 [1]. In the publisher’s light green cloth, spine lettered in gilt. Dust jacket priced ‘13s 6d net’ to lower corner of the front flap Condition: Fine book in fine dust jacket but for some a very small amount of wear to upper corners. Ref: 112546 Price: HK$ 6,000