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3.93 AVERAGE
3.93 AVERAGE
Reading Iris Murdoch is always such a delight. As A.S. Byatt says in the introduction, it's quite an achievement having a book that is both fun and plenty of interesting philosophical ideas.
VERY influential. Surprising plot and masterful writing.
My first Iris Murdoch novel. She is a fantastic writer and presents the perspectives of the three main characters (Dora, the wayward wife; Michael, the lapsed leader; and Toby, the student) so well - capturing the twists and turns of their thought processes. There are moments that are quite funny in the action. The novel was written in 1958 and seems to reflect the restrictiveness of the times in England. I'm still thinking about the theme of faith and religion.
I have to admit that as a modern reader I did have some problems deciding what to make of Murdoch's presentation of Michael's infatuation with an underage boy. I couldn't help but think she made him too sympathetic.
I have to admit that as a modern reader I did have some problems deciding what to make of Murdoch's presentation of Michael's infatuation with an underage boy. I couldn't help but think she made him too sympathetic.
Really a 4.5 rating because I am very stingy when it comes to giving out 5 stars. I really enjoyed reading this and I would probably recommend it to anyone. :)
Alright in places however this book is not my cup of tea at all and so didn't manage to finish it
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
"Love. He shook his head. Perhaps only those who had given up the world had the right to use that word."
"Dora disliked any music in which she could not participate herself by singing or dancing. Paul had given up taking her to concerts since she could not keep her feet still. She listened now with distaste to the hard patterns of sound which plucked at her emotions without satisfying them and which demanded in an arrogant way to be contemplated. Dora refused to contemplate them."
"Our actions are like ships which we may watch set out to sea, and not know when or with what cargo they will return to port."
"to know clearly what you surrender, what you gain, and to have no regrets; to revisit without envy the scenes of a surrendered joy, and to taste it ephemerally once more, with a delight undimmed by the knowledge that it is momentary, that is happiness, that surely is freedom."
"Dora disliked any music in which she could not participate herself by singing or dancing. Paul had given up taking her to concerts since she could not keep her feet still. She listened now with distaste to the hard patterns of sound which plucked at her emotions without satisfying them and which demanded in an arrogant way to be contemplated. Dora refused to contemplate them."
"Our actions are like ships which we may watch set out to sea, and not know when or with what cargo they will return to port."
"to know clearly what you surrender, what you gain, and to have no regrets; to revisit without envy the scenes of a surrendered joy, and to taste it ephemerally once more, with a delight undimmed by the knowledge that it is momentary, that is happiness, that surely is freedom."
"Love. He shook his head. Perhaps only those who had given up the world had the right to use that word."
"Dora disliked any music in which she could not participate herself by singing or dancing. Paul had given up taking her to concerts since she could not keep her feet still. She listened now with distaste to the hard patterns of sound which plucked at her emotions without satisfying them and which demanded in an arrogant way to be contemplated. Dora refused to contemplate them."
"Our actions are like ships which we may watch set out to sea, and not know when or with what cargo they will return to port."
"to know clearly what you surrender, what you gain, and to have no regrets; to revisit without envy the scenes of a surrendered joy, and to taste it ephemerally once more, with a delight undimmed by the knowledge that it is momentary, that is happiness, that surely is freedom."
"Dora disliked any music in which she could not participate herself by singing or dancing. Paul had given up taking her to concerts since she could not keep her feet still. She listened now with distaste to the hard patterns of sound which plucked at her emotions without satisfying them and which demanded in an arrogant way to be contemplated. Dora refused to contemplate them."
"Our actions are like ships which we may watch set out to sea, and not know when or with what cargo they will return to port."
"to know clearly what you surrender, what you gain, and to have no regrets; to revisit without envy the scenes of a surrendered joy, and to taste it ephemerally once more, with a delight undimmed by the knowledge that it is momentary, that is happiness, that surely is freedom."
emotional
funny
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
“At any moment one can be removed from a state of guileless serenity and plunged into its opposite, without any intermediate condition, so high about us do the waters rise of our own and other people‘s imperfection.”
——————-
I can see this book becoming a really compelling miniseries. The characters each carried well their own personal histories and justification for how they ended up at the Abbey. Although Dora is a main character, she’s not the central focus and I appreciated the variety of perspectives.
The group dynamics were so authentic and captivating. I found it very telling that each character’s inner perception was so different from how they were actually perceived.
At first, I felt sympathy for Michael’s struggle with his sexual identity and religion. I came to loathe him for the harm he caused other main characters when they were vulnerable to him and should’ve been protected. I found it hard to distinguish if Murdoch understood how wrong his behavior was, but the alcoholism and deterioration of one of his victims led me to conclude yes.
Toby‘s unearthing of the old bell felt symbolic to me – that he and other characters were also unearthing truths and feelings they’d tried to drown. I really appreciated that Nick functioned as a kind of protector for him. The nun who gave Toby grace for sneaking in and recognized he was still effectively a child made me think Murdoch was signaling she understood that too.
For the final few chapters, this book turned into a comedy of errors and gave some relief from the extreme tension the group had built up to. I felt really immersed in the landscape our characters moved through and once again appreciated Murdoch‘s ability to embody in such a taut atmosphere, as in The Sea, The Sea.
——————-
I can see this book becoming a really compelling miniseries. The characters each carried well their own personal histories and justification for how they ended up at the Abbey. Although Dora is a main character, she’s not the central focus and I appreciated the variety of perspectives.
The group dynamics were so authentic and captivating. I found it very telling that each character’s inner perception was so different from how they were actually perceived.
At first, I felt sympathy for Michael’s struggle with his sexual identity and religion. I came to loathe him for the harm he caused other main characters when they were vulnerable to him and should’ve been protected. I found it hard to distinguish if Murdoch understood how wrong his behavior was, but the alcoholism and deterioration of one of his victims led me to conclude yes.
Toby‘s unearthing of the old bell felt symbolic to me – that he and other characters were also unearthing truths and feelings they’d tried to drown. I really appreciated that Nick functioned as a kind of protector for him. The nun who gave Toby grace for sneaking in and recognized he was still effectively a child made me think Murdoch was signaling she understood that too.
For the final few chapters, this book turned into a comedy of errors and gave some relief from the extreme tension the group had built up to. I felt really immersed in the landscape our characters moved through and once again appreciated Murdoch‘s ability to embody in such a taut atmosphere, as in The Sea, The Sea.
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes