I am a great admirer of Iris Murdoch, so I also loved this book.

It felt as if it could have been longer and the characters could have been more developed.

The story of Edmund's return home for his mother's funeral and the deep narrative that unfolds around him, his brother, his family, and the Italian servant is truly engaging.

The atmosphere created is one of mystery and intrigue, drawing the reader in and making them eager to discover what will happen next.

Murdoch's writing style is beautiful and descriptive, painting a vivid picture of the events and the emotions of the characters.

Overall, this is a wonderful book that I would highly recommend to anyone who enjoys a good literary novel.

It took me a couple of chapters to start enjoying this novel.

As the plot events unfolded and the characters, their situation, and the setting became more distinct, I rather liked it.

However, towards the end of the novel, I grew frustrated again as I couldn't see a greater purpose to it all.

Mainly, I think I was disappointed because it lacks the literary games or experimentation that I love most in this form.

Rather, "The Italian Girl" uses pure narrative as a technique and thus fails to unify itself or enlighten through either theme or motif.

I really can't say what moral I was supposed to learn or what point the story was trying to make, even now.

And that seems strange to me in a novel written by an author who is also a philosopher.

Hence, I suppose, the reviews on this page that I skimmed near the end of my reading.

Nearly everyone here either likes the novel because they like its characters and events or dislikes it because they don't like its characters or the story it tells.

Not a single review delves beyond the obvious and literal events of the narrative, descriptions, and personalities of the characters presented.

So I wonder if there is anything beneath these elements to consider.

In terms of plot, diction, and characterization, it's a fine, well-written novel.

But I struggled to learn something from it or to feel enlightened about its purpose beyond mere story-telling, and ultimately found that rather frustrating.

Perhaps such novels just aren't my cup of tea.

I also note that the least enthusiastic reviews here often mention that this is the first Iris Murdoch novel they've read, and it's also the first one I've read.

I was attracted by the title as possible material for my monthly literary column in our local English-language newspaper, "The Florence News".

I have recently acquired a couple of other Murdoch novels from second-hand shops in Rome and Venice.

So I will try reading another one before making any hasty judgments or generalizations about the novelist.

I did enjoy the narrative voice, prose style, and the story, but they just weren't enough to make it a great novel for me.

I'm going to read some trashy sci-fi now to pass the time during lockdown before I search for some more great literature.

Hang in there, my friends, in this difficult time of solitude and global fear.

Stay healthy and calm! I guess that's the best we can do.

Thank heavens for a well-stocked library right about now, eh?

I made a decision to re-read this particular book. The reason behind this choice is that I vividly recall it being an extremely intriguing and mysterious book during my twenties. And this time around, my perception remained exactly the same.

If you have never had the opportunity to read anything by Murdoch, I firmly believe that this book serves as an excellent starting point. It is relatively short, which makes it accessible even to those who may not have a lot of time for extensive reading. However, despite its brevity, it effectively introduces you to her truly unique style of writing.

Her prose is engaging, filled with vivid descriptions and complex characters that draw you in and keep you hooked from the very beginning. It's a book that makes you think, question, and explore the depths of human nature and relationships.

So, if you're looking for a captivating read that will expose you to a new and exciting author, I highly recommend giving this book a try.

Edmund's return to his mother's funeral serves as a poignant reminder of both the old and new family problems that have long plagued them.

Adding to the complexity is the story of the Italian girl, a loyal servant of the family, whose narrative becomes entwined with all these issues.

These various elements come together to create a rich and multi-faceted exploration of family dynamics, love, and loyalty.

The works listed, such as "Living on Paper: Letters from Iris Murdoch, 1934-1995", "Iris: A Memoir of Iris Murdoch", and others, offer different perspectives and insights into the themes and characters.

Each book seems to contribute to the overall tapestry of this story, further deepening our understanding of the relationships and conflicts at play.

Whether it's through the personal letters, memoirs, or fictional works, we are invited to explore the inner lives of the characters and the challenges they face.

It is a journey that promises to be both engaging and thought-provoking, as we navigate the complex web of emotions and experiences that make up this family's story.

What a truly wonderful novel this is!

It presents such complicated characters who are living in a highly twisted reality. Amidst all the chaos and damage that surrounds them, there is one funeral, one accidental death, a myriad of countless betrayals and misunderstandings. Yet, despite all of this, upon finishing the novel, you still manage to come away with an incredible sense of calm and peaceful contentment. It is a happiness that is well worth living for.

This is not just a story that you should read; it is a story that you must 'live'. I encourage you to take up my challenge and give it a try. You might be truly surprised at the internal outcome that begins to bud within you when you reach the end.

Devlin

So gothic and dreary, it was a story that immediately captivated me.

The atmosphere was so thick with mystery and darkness that I found myself completely immersed.

Every page seemed to pull me deeper into its shadowy world, and I simply couldn't put it down.

The characters were complex and tortured, their lives filled with secrets and sorrows.

The setting was a crumbling old mansion, with creaking floors and echoing halls, adding to the overall sense of unease.

As I read on, I became more and more convinced that this was a true classic.

It had all the elements that make a great story: a compelling plot, vivid characters, and a unique setting.

Even after I finished reading, it stayed with me, haunting my thoughts and leaving me with a sense of wonder.

Truly, this was a book that will be remembered for years to come.

It is a beautiful book. However, I became detached from the subject matter. I couldn't immerse myself in it. As I read, I drifted further away. Eventually, I couldn't love it.

The plot, as far as I understood, contains psychoanalyses and references to the Bible that are interwoven. But I couldn't read it deeply. I just finished it for the sake of finishing.

Particularly, the interpretations and investigations in Flora's and Isabel's room have a dynamic that could have been a theater play. It's quite interesting how these elements interact and create a certain atmosphere. Maybe if I had approached it with a different mindset or had more background knowledge on the relevant topics, I would have been able to engage with it more fully. But as it stands, it remained somewhat inaccessible to me.

Somehow, Iris Murdoch manages to transform this account of a group of truly horrible, selfish, vile, and odious characters into an incredibly addictive piece of reading. What's even more astonishing is that by the end, she has made me care deeply about every single character. I have no idea how this occurred, but kudos to her.

The fact that this book doesn't even rank in the top 10 on her author page at Goodreads has me extremely excited to explore more of her work.

Here's an amusing side-note: I was reading this in a waiting room when I turned to the chapter titled "THERE ARE TWO TYPES OF JEW" written in a large, bold header. I happened to look at the guy next to me who was reading over my shoulder, and he seemed a bit embarrassed. I attempted to explain that I wasn't a Nazi, but I'm not sure if he believed me. The casual racism present in older books always elicits a reaction from me that's half laughter and half cringing. It's a strange and uncomfortable feeling, but it also serves as a reminder of how much our society has evolved in terms of attitudes and acceptance.

The book is indeed well-written, with characters that are carefully crafted.

However, all of these characters are despicable and loathsome creatures. It makes for a truly depressing read.

Surprisingly, despite its gloomy nature, the critics have lauded Murdoch as one of the best British writers of the twentieth century.

But for me, it's a definite "no thank you." I simply cannot appreciate a book that presents such unlikable characters and a generally depressing atmosphere.

I understand that different people have different tastes in literature, but this particular work just doesn't resonate with me.

Perhaps others can find some deeper meaning or value in it, but for now, I'll pass on Murdoch's offerings.

This is Iris Murdoch's eighth novel. I have been reading her novels in the order of publication and have become quite a fan. She infuses her fiction with a philosophical bent.

Although the next book for me should have been The Unicorn, one of my reading groups chose this one. So, I set aside my OCD tendency and went along with it. Some critics have regarded it as one of her weakest novels, but I liked it just fine.

The younger son, Edmund, has returned home due to the death of his mother. He tells the story with wistful viewpoints of each member of the household. Lydia, the deceased mother, was controlling and lost interest in her husband (now also deceased) once she had two sons. She was overly possessive of the boys in alternating periods. Otto, the older brother, still lives in the family home with his wife Isabel and daughter Flora, who is now a teenager.

In Murdoch's typical style, the details of the family gradually come into focus, like a developing photograph, until you have a distressing picture of psychological disturbance and broken relationships. Edmund, not surprisingly, has difficulties with females, has never married, and may still be a virgin. Otto drinks, is a vegetarian, and works unsuccessfully as an engraver, mainly making tombstones. He has always had criminal-type assistants who cause trouble and are then replaced.

It turns out that Otto's wife is having an affair with the current assistant, David, who has also been sleeping with the daughter and gotten her pregnant. Otto, on the other hand, is sleeping with David's mysterious and troubled sister. What a mess! But this is one of Murdoch's typical families. Edmund's pathetic attempts to help these people all go wrong, almost to the point of comedy. Dark comedy is another aspect of Murdoch's fiction.

The title is the key to this fractured family, but you don't discover the full significance of the Italian girl until the very end. All you know until then is that the family has had a series of Italian girls as servants. These girls did all the housework, raised the boys when the mother needed a break, and served as a companion to the mother. The mystery of this arrangement is the big revelation at the end.

I found this novel to be one of her most exquisitely written books. Each scene is carefully crafted with lovely descriptions that create atmosphere and allow you to see even more deeply into the characters. In fact, it was adapted for the stage by James Saunders and originally performed in 1968.

In spite of there not being a single likeable character, I felt for them all. Murdoch seems to be telling us that in any family, there are secrets. Secrets of the heart due to failures to connect, unawareness of what is happening, and a lack of perspective caused by the claustrophobia of family. I have found this to be true in most families I know, even the good ones.

My ninth Murdoch; this book is very tame compared to what I have come to expect from such wild, unrestrained drama as is found in The Sea, the Sea, The Black Prince, or The Good Apprentice.

For one thing, it is very short and has just one plot thread, and not many characters. Her most impactful novels are very long, with a large cast of unhinged characters, and many intersecting, spiderweb plots.

This particular work seems to lack the complexity and grandeur that I have associated with Murdoch's best. However, it's not all bad. There are still moments of her trademark brilliance, such as her keen insights into human nature and her beautiful prose.

Not my favorite, but I'm not complaining. It's still a worthwhile read, especially for fans of Murdoch who want to explore her entire body of work.

Perhaps upon a second reading, I will discover more depth and nuance that I missed the first time around.

Tekrarlama oluyor ikinci okuyuşum eseri.

Although I had already read works such as "The Bell", "The Italian Girl", and "The Sea, the Sea", I read them again. Yes, it can be tiresome to read some works again, but believe me, Iris Murdoch's works have such a powerful philosophical and interesting offbeat narrative that it feels as if you are reading the book for the first time. The philosophical and mysterious depth there pulls you in like a whirlpool and you accept it willingly. It hadn't been very long since I read "The Sea, the Sea", but this time I read it more calmly and relaxedly, and of course, having the time and the quietness in my home environment helped. It had been quite some time since I read "The Bell". While reading, there were some places that I remembered...

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