Passionately determined to write his novel whilst running College Sunrise, a finishing school for both sexes and mixed nationalities, Rowland Mahler is assisted by his wife, Nina Parker. This term there is a new star pupil - Chris, seventeen, also determined to write his masterpiece.
As Chris's novel takes shape while his own flounders, Rowland becomes increasingly obsessed and The Finishing School becomes awash with his jealousy and envy.
This new novel amply displays Muriel Spark's extraordinary talent: her cool, biting humour and unique vision of human nature.
