A review by jejunus
The Black Prince by Iris Murdoch

4.5

I'm always surprised by Iris Murdoch novels - strangely, since this seems to feature many established writing tendencies, all of which could be deeply cliched annoyances in the wrong hands (pathetically repressed middle-aged male artists, unpleasant awakenings, philosophical interludes, falling in love with wildly inappropriate young women, sophisticated ex-wives who still hold a candle for their terrible ex-husbands for no discernable reason, depressed, neurotic older women being treated badly ((poor priscilla!!)) and isolated queer characters as piteously masochistic pseudo-butlers) 

 but I find this all deeply charming and interesting when Iris does it! I especially liked the relationship between Arnold and Rachel and how their issues were never really in focus but actually drove everything that happened.