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cecereads__'s review against another edition
3.75
I wasn’t too invested, it wasn’t exactly a page-turner, and after having read Pet by Catherine Chidgey (even bough she was seemingly inspired by this one), I can’t give it a higher rating. I’m sure it would have been a provocative, possibly “scandalous”, book back then. The author doesn’t shy away from taboo subjects, for example.
Really interesting elements that make up this story, and we follow the girls growing up throughout the 1930’s Edinburgh (with the Spanish civil war and Hitler’s rise included).
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Death, Fire/Fire injury, and Toxic friendship
whoisrois's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship and Pedophilia
kimveach's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Gaslighting, and Classism
Minor: Terminal illness
owenwilsonbaby's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I really liked this! The writing style might not be for everyone but really worked for me. The characterisation and description was very sharp, and captures something that felt very authentic about the experience of growing up a teenage girl (and the moments of joy and cruelty that come with that). The exploration of fascism was really clever and the themes of not blindly trusting your idols were developed really well. I loved how Miss Brodie was given a lot of nuance whilst also being completely condemned. I adored the narrative style of flicking back and forth through time quite casually. The flashbacks and flash forwards could be a bit jarring but I do think Spark’s voice is compelling enough that you get completely wrapped up in the style and carried along by it. I’ll definitely check out some more Muriel Spark once I’m out of my reading slump! The brevity of this book made it an excellent choice for getting back on track with reading.
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Body shaming, Child death, Death, Infidelity, Alcohol, and War
mylargirl's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship and Bullying
imrereads's review against another edition
2.0
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship
nmcannon's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Misogyny, Toxic relationship, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship
Minor: Infidelity and War
tecas's review against another edition
1.5
Graphic: Death, Toxic relationship, and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, and Sexual assault
coffeecass's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Child death, Death, and Fire/Fire injury
librarymouse's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, Death, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Fire/Fire injury, Toxic friendship, and Sexual harassment
Minor: War