This work is truly not up to her usual high standard.

It seems to be a rather strange and unappealing concept. If one has a penchant for stories about dysfunctional families engaging in inappropriate behavior such as having sex with their servants, then perhaps this might hold some interest for them.

However, when compared to her other works like "The Red and the Green", "the Sandcastle", and "the Sea the Sea", this one pales in comparison. Those earlier works were far more engaging, thought-provoking, and artistically crafted.

They had complex characters, intricate plots, and a depth of emotion that made them truly memorable. In contrast, this current offering feels lackluster and fails to capture the essence and magic that her previous works had.

It's a disappointment for fans who were expecting another masterpiece from her.

I am an extremely enthusiastic fan of Iris Murdoch. However, this particular book is truly dreadful! It is like a nearly gothic chaos of flowing tresses, unrelenting brutality, and searing fire. The characters within it seem completely impossible to understand, unreachable, and deeply damaged, and we are given no real clues to make sense of them. It's as if Murdoch had somehow forgotten to fill in the crucial parts of the book that should have been based on the notes she took from a fever dream. I couldn't help but wonder if this was an early work of hers, or perhaps one created during the onset of her dementia. But alas, that was not the case.

Ha! This is one of the rare occasions when I pounced on an Amazon bargain priced at just 1.99, only to be completely fooled! It just goes to show that sometimes, even the most enticing deals can lead to disappointment. I had such high hopes for this book, given my admiration for Murdoch, but it has truly fallen short of my expectations.

I first read this book when I was sixteen, and now, at the age of forty-six, I have picked it up again. After all these years, Murdoch still remains my favorite author of all time.

This little book serves as a wonderful example of why. Despite using scenarios that are almost soap opera-like in content, she manages to convey profound wisdom.

The simplicity of the stories belies the depth of the messages hidden within. Each page seems to hold a nugget of truth that makes you stop and think.

Murdoch has a unique ability to take the ordinary and make it extraordinary, to make you see the world in a different light. Her writing is both engaging and thought-provoking, and it has the power to touch your heart and soul.

Whether you are a young adult just starting to explore the world or an older person looking for some wisdom and inspiration, this book is sure to have something to offer. It is a timeless classic that will continue to be relevant and beloved for generations to come.

What an odd book indeed!

It is truly a real case of "That escalated quickly!"

Murdoch is such a cerebral writer, and in this book, there is just an overwhelming amount of plot and melodrama.

The story seems to unfold at a breakneck pace, with one event after another piling on top of each other.

The characters are complex and full of drama, their actions and decisions driving the plot forward in a rather intense way.

It's almost as if Murdoch is trying to cram as much excitement and intrigue into the pages as possible.

While this can make for an engaging read, it also leaves the reader feeling a bit breathless at times.

Overall, it's a book that is sure to keep you on the edge of your seat, but it may also require a bit of mental stamina to keep up with all the twists and turns.

A story rich in characters and details... A masterful narration with a philosophical theme.

This type of story has the power to engage readers on multiple levels. The diverse cast of characters brings the narrative to life, each with their own unique personalities, motives, and arcs. The intricate details add depth and authenticity to the story world, allowing readers to immerse themselves fully.

Moreover, the philosophical theme weaves throughout the narrative, provoking thought and reflection. It challenges readers to consider profound questions about life, morality, and the human condition. Whether it's exploring the nature of good and evil, the meaning of existence, or the power of choice, the philosophical underpinning enriches the story and gives it lasting value.

Such stories have the potential to leave a lasting impression on readers, inspiring them to view the world from a different perspective and to grapple with the complex ideas presented. They are a testament to the artistry of storytelling and the ability of literature to touch our hearts and minds.

The Italian Girl, whose Dutch translation has been reissued this month by the beautiful, independent Antwerp bookstore Cosimo (let's take a moment to promote it, as initiatives like this deserve all the praise and attention). I knew nothing about Iris Murdoch, but this was a lovely way to get to know her.

I had a wonderful time reading it, especially because on the one hand it feels like a literary novel, and on the other hand, halfway through it almost threatens to devolve into a farce like that of John Lanting. So many things happen in this family, it's almost impossible to keep track.

I can't reveal them because the events form the core of the book, but they are definitely entertaining.

This reissue by Cosimo is a great opportunity for both fans of Murdoch and those new to her work to discover the charm and complexity of The Italian Girl. It's a book that will keep you engaged from start to finish and leave you with a sense of satisfaction.

Whether you're a lover of literature or just looking for a good read, this is a book that you won't want to miss. So head on over to Cosimo and pick up a copy today!

"Edmund" returns to his family home to attend the funeral of his mother, "Lydia," the cold and emotionless lady. Years ago, he had left this house and fled from his life and the painful family problems within it. But now he is back to that life once again and the same old faces. Moreover, the problems he gets involved in among the family members increase. There is his elder brother "Otto" and his wife "Isabel" the writer, their rebellious and curious daughter "Flora," and new characters who have entered their lives in that house full of complex and strange relationships. Finally, there is the Italian servant "Maggie" who was their nanny during their childhood and a key player in that house full of secrets, surprises, and betrayals. "Edmund" finds himself in the middle of all this and above all, he has to play the role of the reconciler for them. He asks himself: Will I prove that I am worthy of it?

The novel deals with the problem of salvation and the victory of good over evil in a moral and dramatic way like Shakespeare's plays. In fact, it was staged in the 1960s. Also, the novel deals with human desire which drives the individual to seek control and submit to it, and the power of love in understanding human relationships which are sometimes unclear. We also find the individual drowning in sensual pleasures and the complex and distorted relationships that result from it among people. "Murdock" also wanted to show that man is fragile and that he deludes himself into thinking that he is in control of his own destiny and life, but in fact, he is just a feather in the wind. And no matter how much we try to draw our lives and make them conform and easy to live, there will always be someone or something that turns our lives into chaos and randomness, and we have to find a way out and salvation.

"Now is the time, the exact time to make a decision. Don't you realize that we now know the truth about ourselves. The truth that will lead to our downfall."

Tanto rumore per nulla

I found this book, in its original 1965 hardcover edition, among the 2-euro books at the Libraccio and was very happy. Iris Murdoch has not been reprinted in Italy for a long time, and her works are rather difficult to find. I really like this one. It's a rather unusual melodrama for the author, like a 1950s film where the protagonist arrives at the family home from which he has been absent for a long time and stumbles upon a series of alarming human and non-human signals, as only a family home knows how to produce, with a series of creepy echoes and resonances. Eduard arrives believing he will stay only a few hours, but his sense of loyalty to his relatives pushes him to stay longer. The character of Eduard is as English as the author could create, oscillating between a noble composure, a certain practical sense, and a rigidity that doesn't help him with what he proposes to do: help his family members solve the crisis that involves them. The translation is a bit outdated but perfectly in tune with the protagonist.

The author's message is as always benevolent (everything can be fixed, starting with the plaster casts). However, in this case, one is surprised by the theatrical machinery brought in, from the couple of young Russian adventurers to the angelically perverse or perversely angelic granddaughter, or simply the bratty and pretentious one. The deus ex machina is a fire that disrupts the equilibria.

The most believable character remains that of the upright Eduard, dismayed in the face of the family's eccentricities.

Perhaps, read in 1964, it had a different effect: now I think the conclusion is not appropriate and that Iris has written much better.

I read this a few weeks back and it still lingers in my mind.

I very seldom come back and change a rating but did for this one. I upped it a star because there is so much going on, so much meaning that reveals itself the more one thinks about this novella.

Edmund races home after the death of his manipulative and controlling mother. A mother he had fled from many years ago. He discovers that things have changed significantly. His niece Flora is no longer a small child but now seventeen, and his brother Otto and his wife are now estranged. He becomes the repository for their numerous secrets and shared confidences. Otto's protégé or assistant and his sister are deeply involved in the drama that this family is experiencing. It's a kind of Freudian knot that will require a death to untangle.

It has been many, many years since I last read Murdoch. This is one of her earliest books and is more dramatic than I recall her works being. However, this serves a purpose as it highlights the complete chaos their lives had descended into. The death of one family member acts as a reset button, providing the impetus they need to come to their senses. I was initially puzzled by the title because the Italian girl, whom Edmund notes there had been a succession of taking care of him and his brother Otto as they were growing up, remains mostly in the background until almost the end. Here, she plays a crucial role.

So, it's a bit dramatic, but I enjoyed the way this was written. It provided a great deal of food for thought after the book ended.

I truly relished this experience.

To be honest, I had no anticipation that there would be such an abundance of drama.

It was an extremely enjoyable and rather strange read.

After this encounter, I have decided that I must explore more of Murdoch's works.

Her writing style has a certain allure that keeps the reader engaged from start to finish.

The unexpected twists and turns in the story added an extra layer of excitement.

I can't wait to see what other surprises she has in store for me.

Overall, this was a great discovery and I'm looking forward to delving deeper into the world of Murdoch's literature.

An odd cast of characters populates this story, and they just seem to get odder as the narrative progresses towards the end. In fact, it gets so strange that I had to deliberately stop fretting that they weren't real at all and simply surrender to the enjoyment of it. For such a concise book, an inordinate number of things occur, and almost all of the loose ends are neatly tied up. However, the descriptions within the text are truly remarkable. The depiction of the house, especially Isabel's room which is crammed full of furniture, is vivid. Otto's eating habits, with him stuffing his mouth full of greens, add a touch of comical realism. The darkness that lurks under the trees and alongside the waterfall creates an atmosphere of mystery. And Otto's stone carving studio, described as a small city, is a fascinating and imaginative creation. These descriptions alone make the book well worth reading.

Iris Murdoch’s The Italian Girl presents a rather unique blend. It seems to be a curious cross between the Gothic romance of Victoria Holt and a somewhat different take on a character like Holden Caulfield, who at forty-something is still clueless, self-centered, and easily offended. The story follows Edmund Narraway, the protagonist and narrator, as he returns home for the funeral of his domineering and destructive mother, Lydia, after being away for years. The dark and gloomy family mansion is still inhabited by Edmund’s alcoholic and philandering brother Otto, Otto’s neurotic wife Isabel, their beautiful yet reckless teenage daughter Flora, and the Italian au pair Maggie, who has remained even after Flora has outgrown her need for an au pair.

In the relatively short span of 171 pages, the Narraway family embarks on a search for fulfillment, both sexually and emotionally, but in the most self-destructive of ways. Without giving away too many spoilers, it’s safe to say that Otto’s Russian twenty-something apprentice, David Levkin, and Levkin’s promiscuous sister Elsa only add to the chaos and dysfunction within the Narraway clan. Published in 1964, The Italian Girl feels dated even for that era. The effete Edmund brings to mind an over-refined English mama’s boy from a 1920s P.G. Wodehouse novel, while his monstrous brother Otto could easily step into the role of a murder victim begging to be killed in a Dorothy L. Sayers or Agatha Christie mystery.

While the book has an atmospheric quality and contains some beautifully crafted phrases, it fails to fully engage this reader. It reminds one of the 1960s cult classic Dark Shadows, with its dark and oppressive atmosphere and melodrama. However, the Narraway family’s dysfunction lacks the element of fun that might have made the story more enjoyable. Despite some moments of emotional intensity, an unconvincing ending and long stretches of tedium ultimately result in The Italian Girl being a three-star read.