The Finishing School

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Finishing School is the last novella written by Scottish author Muriel Spark and published by Penguin Books in 2004. It concerns a 'College Sunrise', a mixed-sex finishing school in Ouchy on the banks of Lake Geneva near Lausanne in Switzerland.

[edit] Plot introduction

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. Chris recognises this and keeps his novel under wraps whilst at the same time encourages his attention, increasing Rowland's frustration...