Is this my favorite novel ever?

It's definitely in my top five.

This is our next book club. Starts two weeks from tonight. Details here. Photo by the Frizzler

I had never heard of this novel until 1998, when the Modern Library published their list of the 100 best novels of the 20th century.

The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie appeared at number 76 on the list. But years went by before I ever read it.

I had vaguely heard of the movie of the same name — Maggie Smith won on Oscar for best actress for it — but I hadn’t seen it. I didn’t know that the movie was based on a play, and the play was based on this book, and I’m so glad I didn’t see the movie or the play before reading the book.

I remember thinking, as I looked at the Modern Library list of the 100 best novels of the 20th century, “Wow, Muriel Spark is a cool name.” But years went by before I got a copy of the book, as a birthday present from a friend.

Muriel Spark, as illustrated by book-club regular Kathryn Rathke.

Now, years later, I have read the book more times than I can count.

It’s one of my top five favorite novels ever. Second only to To the Lighthouse (which is much more difficult reading). The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie is not difficult reading, and it’s full of plot and characters and twists and turns.

Since my birthday is coming up in September, and since I get to choose what we read in book club, I thought: “OK, what do I want to be reading with the book club on my birthday?” And there was no question in my mind. Instantly I thought of this.

We’re reading it over five weeks and gathering on Thursday evenings to discuss it as we go. The first meeting is September 7, but you don’t need to read anything before that first session. Instead, I will tell you a few stories about the author, Muriel Spark.

This is also a fabulous book to re-read. In some ways, much of its magic can only be appreciated on a re-read, when you know where all the twists and turns are going.

How to join the club

Simply buy a ticket, and you’re a member of this club!

After that, all you need to do is get a copy of the book. This is the recommended edition of the book, if you want to have the same page numbers as everyone else during discussions. Or you can also find it at any good library.

Which books are in your top five?

I’d love to know!

To the Lighthouse and The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie are in my top five. Not sure which three other novels would be — maybe Beloved and Giovanni’s Room and Slaughterhouse-Five?

How about you?