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3.94 AVERAGE
3.94 AVERAGE
James Arrowby decides to “repent of egoism” by writing autobiographically. He seems relieved that retirement has afforded him the time he needs to think about himself. And so Murdoch launches us off with one of the most interesting introspective voyages in literature. Our charming narrator has a penchant for delightfully odd-but-faux-sophisticated culinary advice. His certainty wins one over in such a way that ownership of his unreliability transfers to the reader. Despite stepping away from the stage, the drama is anything but over. He presents us with a carefully controlled history that comes back to haunt and unravel him as former colleagues, lovers, and friends seek out his reclusive seaside retirement dwelling. As he loses control of the tale, the past writes the present, and Arrowby frantically grasps for explanations as he attempts to woo the long lost “love of his life.”
This is the only Murdoch I’ve read, so I don’t know how it compares to her other works but it excels on so many levels. I found it to be a deep, moving, hilarious, page-turning, charming, and utterly engaging experience.
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WORDS I LEARNED WHILE READING THIS BOOK
couchant | mackintosh | sursis | hyoshigi | kedgeree | coley | sibilant | guillemots | crepitating | charwoman
This is the only Murdoch I’ve read, so I don’t know how it compares to her other works but it excels on so many levels. I found it to be a deep, moving, hilarious, page-turning, charming, and utterly engaging experience.
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WORDS I LEARNED WHILE READING THIS BOOK
couchant | mackintosh | sursis | hyoshigi | kedgeree | coley | sibilant | guillemots | crepitating | charwoman
Definitely not my cup of tea. The ramblings of a completely self-absorbed, delusional and unbearably verbose person left me absolutely indifferent. I forced myself to finish it, because I'm a sucker for self-punishment, and also because I hoped for an unimaginable twist at the finish line that would make it all worth it, but I was left none the wiser, if you don't count the bizarre self-inflicted death (not suicide though) that came out of the blue. I suppose the author should be considered very talented, after being able to fill pages upon pages with what was essentially the same ideas, over and over again.
I do hope that my next readings this year will turn out to be more satisfying...
I do hope that my next readings this year will turn out to be more satisfying...
funny
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I kept trying to pigeonhole this book as I listened to it (the Simon Vance narration is excellent), and the book continually, deliriously, gleefully resisted. My first Murdoch, the book was philosophical, very funny, heartfelt, farcical, and though it was long, I would have been happy to spend several more weeks with the crew of self-absorbed, love-addled theater folk. Murdoch's characters are vivid, unique, multi-dimensional, and her understanding of what our human dramas look like against the backdrop of The Sea, or of "stars behind stars behind stars" makes for a reading experience where you know you're in good hands, even as certain passages (and the first 70 pages) might appear to be slow-going. It occurs to me now that there were definite shades of The Tempest -- appropriate, and brilliant, since it's ostensibly the memoir of a famous shakespearean theater director who is thinking he'll retire from it all and remove himself to a "poor cell" on the coast. And then his past shows up. Meditations on karma, on love, on projection, on will...all very satisfying.
challenging
emotional
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
Very interesting. You definitely get inside the main character's head. A little too long. I think it could have been cut 100 pages. A lot of little wisdoms and very real yet so fantastic.
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
slow-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
reflective
slow-paced
I have to admit this was a struggle, Charles Arrowby is a selfish, egotistical fool and not a likeable character. I sometimes wonder if the sea is a metaphor for his mental health. I have however finished it and pleased to say I did enjoy it in the end and fortunately he seemed to stop being quite as flaky, although do people really change?
This is obviously a brilliant book. I took away one star because Charles annoyed me so - but that is also a testament to Murdoch’s impeccable writing.