The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie
by Muriel Spark
Terrific, wicked, and very concise, Muriel Spark’s novel stands up well to the memory of Maggie Smith’s wonderful film and ranks among of the great school stories.
“Who has spilled ink on the floor — was it you, Mary?”
“I don’t know, Miss Brodie”
“I daresay it was you. I’ve never come across such a clumsy girl. And if you can’t take an interest in what I am saying, please try to look as if you did.”
These were the days that Mary Macgregor, on looking back, found to be the happiest in her life.