After that wonderful response to what was a very off the cuff post about Ian McEwan, I thought I'd canvass your opinions on Iris Murdoch today.
I haven't read her for many years, but I know I loved The Sea, The Sea and The Philosopher's Pupil, (and I want to read them again) and I have An Unofficial Rose and Nuns and Soldiers, though I don't recall reading either (we're going back a bit here).
So, any opinions on the works of Dame Iris? I've had her down as a Book Group possible, but perhaps not - what do you think?
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I have not read any Murdoch. They look like they would heavy duty reads to me. But maybe I am wrong. I should give her a go I guess.
Posted by: carol | 23 June 2009 at 12:52 AM
I've read all of Murdoch's fiction, philosophy, and essays and some of the novels many times. I too love The Sea, The Sea and The Philosopher's Pupil. I also highly recommend The Black Prince and her very first novel, Under the Net. My top 5 Murdoch list would be rounded out with either Bruno's Dream, The Bell, or A Word Child. Enjoy!
Posted by: deborah | 23 June 2009 at 03:03 AM
I loved The Sea, The Sea, too, but that's the only one I've read by her. I've wanted to try something else, but she's written so many books it's daunting what to pick.
Posted by: claire | 23 June 2009 at 03:10 AM
As yet I haven't read any Iris Murdoch but have The Unicorn to collect from the library after requesting it and intend to read The Sea, The Sea this year so glad to know it is loved.
Posted by: Claire (Paperback Reader) | 23 June 2009 at 03:31 AM
I've only read her first, Under the Net. It's great fun and I'd certainly reccomend it.
Posted by: Sarah | 23 June 2009 at 04:05 AM
I have mixed feelings about Iris Murdoch. My favourites are The Bell, The Book and the Brotherhood, and The Green Knight. I liked The Sea, The Sea, but not so keen on The Italian Girl, or The Time of the Angels. I quite liked A Fairly Honourable Defeat but just couldn't get into The Red and the Green. I can't remember much about others of hers I've read, probably because it was too long ago or I didn't like them.
I'm not sure about her as a book group read, obviously it depends on the group, but there would be plenty to talk about!
Posted by: BooksPlease | 23 June 2009 at 06:51 AM
Never read anything by her. A CBG choice - yes, most certainly!
Posted by: Dark Puss | 23 June 2009 at 07:36 AM
I liked The Sea, The Sea; most people do but it's not really typical of Iris Murdoch's work. I've read most of her books but don't want to read any of them again. I'd suggest The Bell as a starter.
Posted by: Barbara | 23 June 2009 at 08:14 AM
I've thought of reading her but she seems daunting and where to begin... Probably if she was a book group choice I'd have a go. I certainly enjoyed John Bayley's memoir and also the film "Iris". If we are going to read her as a bgc I'll quickly re-read he memoir and try and get into Iris mode!
Posted by: Claire | 23 June 2009 at 08:42 AM
I am with Deborah here. And I would add "Acastos" to the list.
Posted by: Barbara MacLeod | 23 June 2009 at 08:54 AM
why not.please not the sea,the sea,i have already read it.
i loved it by the way.
Posted by: efi | 23 June 2009 at 12:54 PM
I have read only one, The Unicorn, and I really disliked it. In fact I say "read" but I couldn't finish it. Perhaps others are better, but I am not inclined to find out.
Posted by: Harriet | 23 June 2009 at 01:36 PM
She's like Marmite! You either love her or loathe her. I adore the Book and the brotherhood and the Black Prince and various others but they are not all as good as one another. You have not to want 'real life'...it's sort of Irisish real life at best and has characters you'd probably never meet but I don't mind about that. Her earliest work is the most 'ordinary'....Loved the Sandcastle, for instance. Not everyone's taste but mine certainly. Her last few books do not make much sense which is more understandable in light of what we know about her last years.
Posted by: adele geras | 23 June 2009 at 01:43 PM
Loved 'The Philosopher's Pupil'. Loathed 'The Sea, The Sea'. Quite enjoyed 'The Black Prince' and 'The Nice and the Good'. I find the 'just keep going and don't worry about understanding everything' approach works best!
Posted by: Julie | 23 June 2009 at 02:08 PM
For a philosopher Murdoch has a light touch in her novels. I recently read Under the Net and loved the humor - a collapsing movie set, two inept characters trying to steal a dog, a would-be writer trying to avoid having to get a job. The title, by the way, is an obscure reference from Wittgenstein with whom Murdoch studied (and did other things.)
md
Posted by: Mary Ronan Drew | 23 June 2009 at 03:46 PM
Read Murdoch in the CBG by all means, but have something light and more easily comprehensible to hand for relief, like Thomas Mann, White's Voss, or even some Wittgenstein, preferably in German.
Posted by: Lindsay | 23 June 2009 at 09:21 PM
I have only read one book by Iris Murdoch and that was 'The Bell' which though quite hard work, was a truly wonderful read in the end so I would recommend that one. I would like to read more of her books too.
Posted by: Simon S | 23 June 2009 at 09:41 PM
The Book and The Brotherhood and The Black Prince are pretty marvelous. She certainly provokes great conversation for a book club read!
Posted by: ted | 23 June 2009 at 11:34 PM
I too have read and seen 'John Bayley's memoir and also the film "Iris"' - but have not read any of her works - thought I might want to (after the film), but just can't get into any of them.
Posted by: Nancy | 24 June 2009 at 01:16 AM
I love her books, and would happily re-read any, or indeed all, of them for CBG. I like Marmite too.
Posted by: GeraniumCat | 29 June 2009 at 10:08 PM
I liked The Sea, The Sea and would love to read another book by her. I know that isn't her best work so I'm looking forward to the ones that others recommend.
Posted by: claire | 01 July 2009 at 01:04 AM