The Finishing School (Spark novel)

2004 novel by Muriel Spark

The Finishing School

First edition (UK)

Author| Muriel Spark
Cover artist| Andy Bridge
Language| English
Publisher| Viking Press (UK)
Doubleday (US)

Publication date

| 2004
Publication place| United Kingdom
Media type| Print, Audio, eBook
Pages| 160
ISBN| 0-670-91173-9

The Finishing School is the last novel written by British author Muriel Spark and published by Viking Press in 2004.[1][2][3] It concerns 'College Sunrise', a mixed-sex finishing school in Ouchy on the banks of Lake Geneva near Lausanne in Switzerland.

## Plot

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The school is run by Rowland Mahler and his wife Nina Parker. Rowland is trying to write a novel but discovers that a new star pupil, Chris Wiley, only seventeen is also writing a novel, which eclipses Rowland's efforts. Frustrated by his own inability to make progress, and increasingly aware of Chris' prodigious talent, Rowland becomes obsessed with the boy, occasioning dry ironies about twists in human relations.[4] Chris recognises this and keeps his novel under wraps whilst at the same time encourages his attention, increasing Rowland's frustration.

## References

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1. ^ "The Finishing School". Kirkus Reviews. 15 July 2004. Archived from the original on 2 October 2023. Retrieved 18 August 2024.
2. ^ "The Finishing School". Booklist. July 2004. Archived from the original on 18 August 2024. Retrieved 18 August 2024.
3. ^ "The Finishing School". Publishers Weekly. 16 August 2004. Archived from the original on 2 April 2023. Retrieved 18 August 2024.
4. ^ "The Finishing School (review)". Archived from the original on 8 July 2011. Retrieved 21 June 2010.

## External links

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* the Complete Review

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Novels by Muriel Spark

* The Comforters (1957)
* Robinson (1958)
* Memento Mori (1959)
* The Ballad of Peckham Rye (1960)
* The Bachelors (1960)
* The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie (1961)
* The Girls of Slender Means (1963)
* The Mandelbaum Gate (1965)
* The Public Image (1968)
* The Driver's Seat (1970)
* Not To Disturb (1971)
* The Hothouse by the East River (1973)
* The Abbess of Crewe (1974)
* The Takeover (1976)
* Territorial Rights (1979)
* Loitering with Intent (1981)
* The Only Problem (1984)
* A Far Cry From Kensington (1988)
* Symposium (1990)
* Reality and Dreams (1996)
* Aiding and Abetting (2000)
* The Finishing School (2004)

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