Loved this, Henry, thank you for sharing it. I've never read any Iris Murdoch, but I'll plan to (your book is a bit higher up my list!)
Given Murdoch's emphasis on the struggle between good and evil in her novels and her belief that literature should challenge the reader's moral compass, how do you think her portrayal of morally ambiguous characters contributes to the reader's understanding of morality and the human condition, rather than their confusion?
Thank you. I think confusion is part of the point! she wants you to be confused, to struggle out of the cave towards the light, not to seek the comforts of consolation and certainty
That's fair enough, I get that. Do you think it's a symptom of us not having figured it out *yet*, or is this greyness something that will be inherent in human nature in perpetuity? I think the latter (we might get better aligned as a society, but I don't think it will ever be perfect) - keen to hear your thoughts.
Very glad to hear that! For a short book the bell maybe. For a bigger stranger work try the good apprentice or the sea the sea. I loved the philosophers pupil and many would recommend a fairly honourable defeat.
Confession: All I’ve read of Iris Murdoch is her only published short story, ‘Something Special’ which was so heart-breaking it put me off reading anything else. However, on the strength of what you’ve written here I think I probably ought to risk a novel.
This is helpful, but I am still struggling. I'm sure 30 years ago I read and enjoyed several Murdoch novels, possibly The Black Prince, and The Sea, The Sea. Now when I am researching the lives of a couple of women at Oxbridge late 1930s I thought she would be an obvious person to reconnect with, and picked up Under the Net, but I am really struggling to finish it, the characters are so unappealing. Have I just picked the wrong one?
That’s her first and not her best, though I rather like it. For other 1950s maybe the sandcastle or the bell? She was undergrad in late 1930s though and the novels are later
Loved this, Henry, thank you for sharing it. I've never read any Iris Murdoch, but I'll plan to (your book is a bit higher up my list!)
Given Murdoch's emphasis on the struggle between good and evil in her novels and her belief that literature should challenge the reader's moral compass, how do you think her portrayal of morally ambiguous characters contributes to the reader's understanding of morality and the human condition, rather than their confusion?
Thank you. I think confusion is part of the point! she wants you to be confused, to struggle out of the cave towards the light, not to seek the comforts of consolation and certainty
That's fair enough, I get that. Do you think it's a symptom of us not having figured it out *yet*, or is this greyness something that will be inherent in human nature in perpetuity? I think the latter (we might get better aligned as a society, but I don't think it will ever be perfect) - keen to hear your thoughts.
Inherent to be sure—she said philosophy clarifies art mystifies and she’s very interested in that side of life
I really enjoyed this. Where should I start with Murdoch? Her strangeness particularly appeals to me.
Very glad to hear that! For a short book the bell maybe. For a bigger stranger work try the good apprentice or the sea the sea. I loved the philosophers pupil and many would recommend a fairly honourable defeat.
Confession: All I’ve read of Iris Murdoch is her only published short story, ‘Something Special’ which was so heart-breaking it put me off reading anything else. However, on the strength of what you’ve written here I think I probably ought to risk a novel.
Enjoy!
thank you, thank you. Read some of Murdoch when young and am reminded to reread now in old age. Books still in my library so handy.
Enjoy!
Thanks for a great read! Will share with some in my book group who may also want to (re-)read Murdoch.
Ah splendid thank you!
I think should learn more about archetypes.
With Murdoch, do you think The Sea, The Sea might be a good place to start? am totally new to her
As good as any, yes. It's long though, so if you want shorter try Bruno's Dream, A Fairly Honourable Defeat, The Bell, something like that
that's great, thanks for the advice
This is helpful, but I am still struggling. I'm sure 30 years ago I read and enjoyed several Murdoch novels, possibly The Black Prince, and The Sea, The Sea. Now when I am researching the lives of a couple of women at Oxbridge late 1930s I thought she would be an obvious person to reconnect with, and picked up Under the Net, but I am really struggling to finish it, the characters are so unappealing. Have I just picked the wrong one?
That’s her first and not her best, though I rather like it. For other 1950s maybe the sandcastle or the bell? She was undergrad in late 1930s though and the novels are later
I might try The Bell...
I loved the The Philosopher's Pupil and The Good Apprentice, but those are much later so may not hep your work...