You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.93 AVERAGE
3.93 AVERAGE
Mature and rather serious, engendering immense sympathy for its three main characters: Toby, on the cusp of a grown-up world too often rebarbative; Michael, whose love obscures his true perversion and whose perversion thwarts his true love; and Dora, reaching as instinctively for more from her life as Gainsborough’s daughter for the butterfly.
Outdated, contains explicit and internalized misogyny.
challenging
emotional
reflective
slow-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
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
"The Bell" is another solid novel from the wonderful Iris Murdoch. She does a good job of giving a perspective on religion, marriage, homosexuality and the struggles of a number of various characters in an entertaining way.
The story starts following Dora Greenfield, who left an unhappy marriage, only to return to her husband who is staying in a lay community attached to an Abbey of reclusive nuns. The book jumps around, giving the perspective of several different characters -- though some in the book aren't drawn quite so well.
Overall, it was an entertaining story and a fun read. "The Bell" definitely isn't Murdoch's best work (and I think it was one of her earlier books) but it still made for a good read.
The story starts following Dora Greenfield, who left an unhappy marriage, only to return to her husband who is staying in a lay community attached to an Abbey of reclusive nuns. The book jumps around, giving the perspective of several different characters -- though some in the book aren't drawn quite so well.
Overall, it was an entertaining story and a fun read. "The Bell" definitely isn't Murdoch's best work (and I think it was one of her earlier books) but it still made for a good read.
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
i love a reflective, spiritual book about people. and that's precicely what this is.
Murdoch has a very quiet and understated writing style which i loved for its simplicity and beauty.
the characters evoked in this book are some of my favourite ive read this year! Michael, Toby and Dora will be forever in my heart and i loved them.
i want more from this world, spin-off novels from different perspectives, sequels from nuns' povs etc. that's how much i enjoyed it!
Murdoch has a very quiet and understated writing style which i loved for its simplicity and beauty.
the characters evoked in this book are some of my favourite ive read this year! Michael, Toby and Dora will be forever in my heart and i loved them.
i want more from this world, spin-off novels from different perspectives, sequels from nuns' povs etc. that's how much i enjoyed it!
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Why haven't I read Murdoch before?!
The writing is pellucid, as if the scenes are unfolding in front of one's eyes. The plotting is so minute, realistic, and evocative that I found myself thinking about the small developments, like a nighttime walk through the woods to listen for the call of the nightjar bird, as if they had happened to me personally. I won't belabor the novel's events, but say instead that while unexpected and occasionally riveting, in retrospect, it all seemed to unfold organically. And the message is gentle and important. One character realizes that "there is a God, but I do not believe in him." Murdoch is at ease with such paradoxes. I am grateful that she wrote so much. I have riches to plumb.
The writing is pellucid, as if the scenes are unfolding in front of one's eyes. The plotting is so minute, realistic, and evocative that I found myself thinking about the small developments, like a nighttime walk through the woods to listen for the call of the nightjar bird, as if they had happened to me personally. I won't belabor the novel's events, but say instead that while unexpected and occasionally riveting, in retrospect, it all seemed to unfold organically. And the message is gentle and important. One character realizes that "there is a God, but I do not believe in him." Murdoch is at ease with such paradoxes. I am grateful that she wrote so much. I have riches to plumb.
Murdoch has the plot instinct of a Victorian writer, backed by a wonderful ensemble of characters!