Iris Murdoch's novels are truly remarkable. Each one is unique in certain aspects, yet in others, it seems almost like a derivative of her own style. However, this isn't entirely fair.

Murdoch has certain themes and motifs that she loves to explore, and she does so in specific forms. It's much like a set of musical variations on a theme. Her novels commonly take two dominant forms.

In the first form, a social network is established and described in detail. Then, a trickster figure appears, seeking to destroy, manipulate, or control this network through cunning and trickery.

The second form is similar to the first, but instead of a trickster, an alluring enchanter figure (such as a philosopher, artist, or musician) emerges. This enchanter has a different purpose but still has a significant impact on the social network.

All of Murdoch's novels also delve into the exploration of mid-century sexuality and the breaking of social mores. In most of her novels, at least one character is identified as "a Jew," serving various purposes.

This particular novel is her first attempt at the enchanter form, following her earlier novel "Under the Net" which featured a trickster. As you read this novel, you can sense the author feeling her way through, in ways that are both interesting and complex.

For me, the general rule is that the more complex Murdoch makes both the novel and the social network, the better the outcome. When her novels focus on a single complex relationship or a single family, I often find them less engaging.

This novel's emerging ideas make it an interesting early attempt by a novelist I'm quite familiar with. If you're interested in Murdoch's work, this could be a solid novel to start with.

\\n  (9 February, 2025)\\n

This work is truly lackluster. It fails to engage the reader, offers no entertainment value, and is simply not good. There are various events happening to rather uninteresting characters, and that's about the extent of it. In the background, which in reality seems to be where everyone is, there are some stories that aim to shock but end up being flat and flavorless. The love triangles or unrequited love feel forced and tacked on. It's unclear why they are included, and quite frankly, I don't know nor do I care. There seems to be no real purpose or reason for anything that occurs. It's just a random bunch of people going about doing stuff. Annette comes across as self-absorbed, Hunter is barely an afterthought, Rosa is overly simple, the brothers are terrible, Mischa perhaps intends to be an enigma but instead comes off as an inchoate and awfully-written puppet master, and the rest of the characters are extremely forgettable. The numerous threads of partial stories combine to create a jumbled mess of a novel. Murdoch's insertion of a useless catfight only serves to make the situation even worse. What a huge disappointment!

3.5 stars -- Murdoch is truly one of my all-time favorite writers.

She has this remarkable ability to gracefully blend grand philosophical ideas with detailed and complex interpersonal relationships, thereby creating a kind of dancefloor where she can freely dance around the human psyche.

Although I never really fully grasped what was going on in this particular book, it was still enjoyable and well worth the effort.

Most of her plots are mildly convoluted, yet they manage to move her ideas forward and serve as a framework for her moral analysis.

However, this book has a bit of a drawback in that it has too many characters for its own good.

With such a large number of primary characters, Murdoch simply doesn't have enough time or pages to build appropriate backstories and motivations for each one.

Nonetheless, it is still compelling and very much in the Murdochian style and with its unique scenes.

Most Murdoch novels feature a mysterious, semi-magical character that doesn't take up a lot of space on the stage but imbues the story with a sense of enchantment.

In this case, Murdoch even highlights it in the book's title, and the titular character is Mischa Fox, an influential man of mystery whom everyone in the book desires to be friends with.

The best part of the book for me is the evolution of the interesting relationship between Rosa, one of Mischa's lovers, and two Scandinavian immigrant brothers who work with her at a local factory.

All the individual scenes are good, but the lack of cohesion and having a few too many storylines in play prevent this from being a truly great book.

Ummm... I must have missed something.

The story seemed to flow at a rather rapid pace. The end of one page seamlessly led to the beginning of the next, but it felt more like a rush to find out what would happen next rather than a genuine desire to immerse oneself in the characters' lives.

There was definitely more potential that could have been explored with the characters. They seemed a bit underdeveloped, and I felt that the author could have delved deeper into their personalities, motivations, and relationships.

That being said, the introduction did mention that this might have been her first novel. After reading "Night Circus", which was such a rich and enchanting first novel, this one unfortunately does not compare as favorably.

It lacks the depth, complexity, and magical charm that made "Night Circus" so captivating. However, it's important to remember that every author has to start somewhere, and with practice and experience, the author of this novel may very well improve and produce more engaging works in the future.

A book that presents a rather strange and perhaps disturbing scenario. In this fictional world, it seems that people have a habit of never locking their doors. This lack of security measures leads to some unexpected and dangerous consequences.

For instance, one day, a Polish guy manages to creep into a house when the door is left unlocked. Once inside, he does something truly malicious. He sets the hair of the homeowner's little brother on fire.

The image of a young child's hair being set ablaze is both alarming and distressing. It makes one wonder about the implications of such a lackadaisical attitude towards home security.

Perhaps this book is trying to convey a message about the importance of taking precautions and being vigilant in our daily lives. After all, we never know what kind of dangers might lurk just outside our unlocked doors.

Overall, this book seems to offer a unique and thought-provoking look at a world where the simplest of actions, like locking a door, can have far-reaching and potentially disastrous consequences.

A remarkable book, in which there seems to be a lack of a central unity.

However, it is capable of drawing one into the reading of the affairs of a multitude of characters.

When I started reading it, I imagined the classic novel of the early 1900s.

But as I went on, I realized that there is no organic development of facts.

Instead, like in real life, characters and stories intertwine in a succession of events that seem unconnected to them.

The protagonists of this novel are precisely the opposing forces that bring people closer and push them away, often dark and mysterious.

So much so that some subjects are endowed with a powerful fascination that is never clearly delineated.

The main protagonists are two women.

The young Annette, thirsty for experience but destined for a salvific family reunion.

And Rosa, named so by her feminist and socialist activist mother in honor of Rosa Luxemburg.

Rosa is a modern, strong, and independent woman.

However, she falls prey to male eroticism from which she struggles to break free.

There is no romantic love in this book.

Ambivalence of feelings, men who fear the advance of women in society, and women who drive big cars, want to have a career, and want to be in charge of their feminist magazine.

Illegal immigration, workers' rights, in a London where women are free but not liberated from themselves, from that desire and dependence on men that seems more physical than intellectual.

A sense of incompleteness when you finish the book, just like in life, when you don't know what else can happen, but you know you'll make it on your own.

I truly desired with all my heart to slap some sense into these characters.

The story was good, there was no doubt about that. The plot had its interesting aspects and the writing style was engaging enough.

However, it was just so, so frustrating to read. The actions and decisions of the characters often left me scratching my head in disbelief.

They seemed to be making choices that were completely contrary to what any rational person would do. It was as if they were living in a world of their own, oblivious to the consequences of their actions.

I found myself constantly yelling at the book, willing the characters to wake up and see the light.

Despite the frustration, I couldn't put the book down. I was still curious to see how the story would unfold and if the characters would ever learn from their mistakes.

It was a love-hate relationship with the book, but one that kept me hooked until the very end.

Like wandering over the surface of a cut diamond (or white sapphire in this case). The experience is truly captivating. As one traverses this terrain, flashes of brilliance and insight seem to emerge from every corner. It's as if the very air is filled with a palpable energy, a sort of intellectual electricity that crackles and pops.

The setting, a shifting playing field of 1950's London, adds an extra layer of intrigue. The city is a melting pot of cultures, ideas, and emotions. The sounds of traffic, the hustle and bustle of people going about their daily lives, all blend together to create a symphony of chaos and order.

It's a place where the past and the present collide, where history and innovation dance a delicate tango. And in the midst of it all, one can't help but be swept up in the magic and mystery of it all.

## Book Review ##

An Italian lesson unfolds at the Ringenhall Ladies College. The tutor reads the twelfth canto of the Inferno. Annette stands up and steps outside the classroom, stating that the Minotaur is a victim and wondering why Dante permits its suffering.

Annette is resolute in leaving the school, much to the disappointment of the headmaster.

She has left, and her father, Hunter Keepe, is in discussion with Calvin Blick about the destiny of the company 'Artemis'. The company is on the verge of bankruptcy, and Calvin wants to buy it at a reduced price.

Central to the transfer of ownership is Rosa Luxemburg, a shareholder.

During the discussion with Annette, Hunter is nervous as he regrettably notices a potential relationship between his daughter and Calvin.

The omniscient voice describes a large room filled with over three thousand volumes. Many books are on a large desk, with one hundred of them open. The four walls are lined with shelves filled with books, and the free spaces are adorned with statues and photographs.

At the center of this studio is Peter Saward, an historian struggling to translate The Kastanic Script.

Peter is not alone; he is assisted by Miss Glashan, a mute housekeeper, as he doesn't want to be disturbed during his studies.

His intense study is interrupted by the arrival of John Rainborough, a close friend who works for a charitable organization specializing in immigration.

At some point, John and Peter discuss the fate of the "Artemis" magazine and how to avoid bankruptcy.

Through a strange alchemy, love and business are perfectly intertwined. They are both in love with Rose, and her close friend, Mischa Fox, is the only antidote to bankruptcy.

An entire chapter is dedicated to the life of Rose and her brothers, who are Polish immigrants.

As the chapter progresses, the reader discovers that Rose has a predilection for a mechanical life and is happy with the disappearance of peace. She loves two men, and both are aware of this fact. One day, Rose will realize that the meeting with the two men and the subsequent relationship were planned by her brothers.

Annette begins to explore her body in her unprecedented world, with her main interest being to live independently.

Nicholas is very similar to Annette, and there is a feeling between them.

However, Annette's youth has been marred by a violent act against her sexuality.

Rosa explains to Annette her reasons for dropping out of Ringenhall school.

Rosa has two brothers, Jan and Stefan, who are Polish immigrants. During a meeting, their nostalgia for Poland surfaces, along with memories of the days spent with their teacher, but also a sense of disgust for their compatriots who have remained in their small country.

Annette decides to visit her dressmaker, Nina, to try on her new dress.

The new dress completely transforms Nina's appearance, and she is satisfied. At one point, a mysterious man, Mischa Fox, enters.

John Rainsborough is at his office, feeling nostalgic about the old concept of business. He believes that his career advancement is due to his experiences within the company and that he is the right person to decide if an employee can progress.

He knows that his assistant, Miss Casement, will advance in her career, a decision made by S.E.L.I.B., an organization that operates in various fields, including immigration to the UK. No one asked him if she was the right person.

The periodical "Artemis" is on the brink of bankruptcy, and the manager must find a way out. The solution is simple - to find a significant amount of money - but no one seems interested in this rescue. Hunter is doing everything possible to find a lender.

After a long debate among the shareholders about how to raise funds, Mischa Fox wants to buy the periodical, but Hunter disagrees. The price to pay is that the periodical will completely change its editorial line and must remain independent.

The organization has instructed Miss Casement to prepare a report on the efficiency of the organization, with the ultimate goal being its restructuring. John feels threatened by this report and will do everything to suppress it.

After work hours, John wants Annette's hand in marriage. He loves her, but Annette is interested in Mischa Fox.

John and Mischa will discuss the "Legend of virginity," and their conversation will reveal their lack of consideration for women.

Nina the dressmaker is at work when she receives a telegram from Mischa Fox. He has found new clients for her, but she is not happy. She senses something negative and wonders if it's just simple friendship or not. In any case, she feels trapped in the net cast by this man. Annette is infatuated with Nicholas until she meets a young and handsome engineer named Jan Lusiewicz, who works with Rosa.

The destiny of the periodical is sealed. Rosa has refused to save "Artemis," and Hunter is confused. The only man who can save the periodical is Misha Fox.

On a London street, Hunter sees Calvin Blick, a mysterious man, and decides to follow him. Calvin sees him but ignores him. Hunter risks being run over, and in the end, they talk. Hunter asks him what he wants from him. Under the pretext of developing the photos taken with Calvin's camera, Hunter will see his sister Rosa in the arms of Lusiewicz during the development process.

Hunter will go to the mysterious man's house and discover his sister Rose.

Hunter is extremely nervous and offers a sum of money to Calvin to destroy the photo. He will fail, but Calvin assures him that no one will see it.

The day of judgment has arrived. The clock in the meeting room shows 10:15 am. We are at the West End Hotel in London. Inside the room, only Hunter Keepe is present, suffering immensely. His "creature" will be sold to Mischa Fox, a publisher. Only a miracle can save "Artemis." Hunter is reading the statement to the shareholders when he sees at the door...

A spectacled face beneath an extremely large hat looks in. "Is this the Artemis meeting?" She is an elderly lady with three peers. She will be followed by other shareholders, mainly women, who are over thirty. When Hunter learns that "Artemis" will not be sold to Mischa Fox, he can't believe his ears and asks for an explanation. He is told that the women have self-taxed.

In another part of London, John Rainborough is in a very bad mood. He feels like a victim of an injustice committed by Sir Edward and Miss Casement. Her report is perfect, and John must come out of the corner. Rosa thinks that she has "Never had such a profound satisfaction of anger and hatred."

Miss Casement is invited to a party organized by Mischa Fox. At some point, Miss Casement wants John to take her to the party. John accepts the invitation for one reason: he wants to find out why Mischa has invited Miss Casement and not him.

All the characters are at the party organized by Mischa Fox. The narrator describes the place and a small accident - a glass bowl with fish falls on the floor, and no one admits responsibility. Rosa intervenes and says, "Never had she experienced such a profound satisfaction of anger and hatred," referring to Annette.

Miss Casement needs some air and asks John to accompany her outside. It's dark, and she kisses him.

Mischa and Annette are traveling to the sea by car. It's dark and cold, and when they arrive at their destination, Annette wants to take a bath. Mischa is worried and tries to prevent her from entering the water after she feels miserable.

The couple decides to go back home, and Annette's brother discovers that she has a broken leg.

A photo book is at the center of a meeting between Mischa Fox and Peter Saward. In this photo book, they look at the photos from their childhood, which causes a storm in their minds. Surprisingly, Mischa Fox talks about his past, specifically when he killed a kitten for pleasure. This wound is still bleeding.

Rainborough thinks about his professional life. He feels frustrated, nervous, and his anger is about to explode. His personal villain is Miss Casement, and his thought is to resign.

His thoughts are interrupted by the doorbell. Miss Casement is at the door, and they will go out. On the way, they meet Annette.

Annette and Rosa are at Rainborough's house. Rosa isn't happy, and at some point, Rainborough decides to go out alone. Annette reads a letter written by Nicholas. He decides to join the communist party and wants to go to Greece with Rosa. Annette thinks about her future with Mischa Fox. Annette brings the diamonds with her and goes out. Near a river, she decides to throw them into the water one by one. She is alone when her brother Jan Lusiewicz arrives. He is shocked by his sister's behavior, stops her, and asks her the reason for her insane gesture. For Annette, this is not a crazy gesture. She can't handle them, but the white sapphire remains in her pocket.

Stefan Lusiewicz is on Rosa's bed. She is surprised and asks him why. He has been at home since their mother died, and Stefan is penniless.

Hunter is worried about the future of his family as they are illegal immigrants in the UK. Stefan's presence is not welcome, and Rosa wants to send him away, but he becomes violent.

Rosa is nervous and must find a solution: Mischa Fox.

At his home, the reader will discover that for Rosa, Mischa is more than just a physical attraction. He is central to her past and future.

Annette lives for Mischa and will do everything to capture his attention. At a party, she will claim to have poisoned herself. Her brother Hunter and Calvin are terrified. She is not crazy but very uncomfortable and wants to completely change her life.

The problem of immigration explodes when a Conservative MP wants to整顿 the immigration policies. Anyone who doesn't comply with the new regulations must leave the UK. Nina the dressmaker will be affected as she has an indefinite stay in the UK, but now this document is no longer valid.

Nina is devastated and feels like "A soul without nationality" and "A soul without home." She is completely alone as her friends have disappeared.

Rosa goes to Naples to meet Mischa Fox. She will travel by train. It seems that Misha has furnished his house for Rosa, and she must decide what to do with her fate. Rosa meets Calvin, who tells her that her brother has seen compromising photographs of her. They will learn of Nina's suicide by reading an article in The Evening News.

Nina committed suicide for nothing as she only had to fill out some forms for the immigration office.

Sir Andrew Cockeyne has married Annette, and they are traveling on the Orient Express. Andrew is aware that Annette is not sure if marrying him was a good idea, and it's impossible to ask her about her feelings. Mrs Wingfield has died, and all her shares of the periodical "Artemis" pass into the hands of Rosa, along with a substantial sum of money for the management.

## Philosophical Review ##

In terms of philosophy, it's interesting to question why nineteen-year-old Annette refuses a public institution like school to learn how to live. What does living mean to Annette?

Hunter's selfishness is greater than his concern for his daughter's well-being, as is evident when Annette meets Calvin. Why does he believe it's more important to educate his son than his daughter?

From a philosophical perspective, it's interesting to understand Peter's obsession with knowledge. Will knowledge and his pride in translating an unknown language lead him to madness? And then, to understand why the hieroglyph was written, for what purpose, and what is written there?

Rose: Is there a close relationship between her preference for a planned life to avoid unexpected events and her relationship with her brothers, who plan her life without her consent?

From a psychological point of view, it's interesting to know why Annette and her Polish immigrant brothers feel disgusted with their own villagers.

Annette is trying on her new dress in her dressmaker Nina's room.

At some point, the narrative voice focuses the reader's attention on a particular object, a finely carved wooden crucifix.

This is an opportunity to learn that for Annette, believing in God is "Strangely disagreeable."

Regarding her tastes, I wonder why her ego denigrates a believer, why her indifference to religion must influence, through her judgment, the behavior of another person, why her view is better, why Nina should change her opinion, and on what basis? Why must the ego judge rather than simply state that there are two different views of the world?

The main dilemma for Hunter is whether the money to save the periodical is worth the loss of its independence.

It's also interesting to reflect on what it means that "The love of a woman must be purged of all romanticism," and the following phrase, "If only he thought, it were possible to combine the joys of contemplation and of possession" (referred to the male world).

When he was a child, Mischa Fox killed a kitten for pleasure. Looking at a photo book and realizing that the wound has not healed.

Why was he so cruel? Why did he take pleasure in killing an animal?

The main philosophical problem concerns Nina. What led her to commit suicide? Was it her loneliness? Was the selfishness of society decisive?

Why are many characters not immune to Mischa's will? Why aren't they independent?

What has Annette learned from her "school of life"?

## Literary Criticism ##

In “The Flight From The Enchanter,” several stories are told, including Annette and her “School Of Life,” the destiny of the periodical “Artemis,” and immigration.

The story is set in contemporary London and features many characters. The hero is Mischa Fox, the main “enchanter,” described as the handsomest with his hair.

Annette is a young girl who wants to decide her future according to her idea of “the school of life.”

Hunter Keepe and his sister Rosa run a periodical called “Artemis.” The business is not doing well and must be sold, putting at risk its noble cause of the advancement and emancipation of women. If sold, it will change its nature.

There is also John Rainborough and Miss Casement, and the report.

Miss Wingfield is central to the destiny of the periodical, and then there are the Polish brothers.

The main theme is immigration, shown through the life of Nina, a dressmaker.

The incipit is very interesting. Every reader wants to know why Annette, a 19-year-old girl, disagrees with Dante's decision to put a Minotaur in the twelfth canto of the Inferno and doesn't accept its suffering.

Three characters are introduced: Annette's father, mother, teacher, and headmaster.

She has a father who believes that education, in this case, school, is less important than that of his son.

Annette firmly believes that to understand how to live, school is the wrong place. She has a favorite brother, reads poems, and is determined. She studies at the Ringehall Ladies College.

Miss Walpole, the headmaster, disagrees with her decision but doesn't force her to stay, believing that one day Annette will change her mind.

The main apex is manifested when Annette and Calvin meet.

Their exchange of jokes makes Hunter explode with anger, believing that education for his daughter is not really that important. This passage is fundamental in delineating the character of Hunter.

Rosa Luxemburg is a very interesting character. She didn't clean the room, which is associated with the bankruptcy of the company, showing that she is central to the fate of the company.

The description of Peter Saward's studio/library with three thousand books, a large desk with one hundred books open, makes him an interesting character obsessed with translating a hieroglyph. The second coup de théâtre is when the only person who can save their magazine from bankruptcy is the friend of the woman they both love, a perfect mix of love and business.

The character of Rose is very original. She has two lovers who know they are her lovers. She dislikes a peaceful life and loves a mechanical life.

It's interesting to discover how her brothers influence her behavior.

Annette's mother is very curious, as seen in her comment about her daughter's seamstress: "Find yourself a good dressmaker, but not too expensive. For me, it's right to spend a lot on my clothes, but for you, a Jeune Fille, no. Ask Rosa to advise you."

It's also curious that Annette is trying on her new clothes not in a tailor's shop but in Nina's room.

An explanation could be to describe the particularity of the room, but above all, to emphasize that for Nina, Annette is unpleasant, seeing her as "another dummy."

Another curiosity for the reader is to know why Mischa Fox, a strange man, is in the same room as them.

The reading is made interesting by some characters, especially Mischa Fox, who seems like a terrestrial god who can control the destiny of many characters. Annette and Rosa's refusal of state education is also interesting. The scene where Hunter is forced to develop a camera roll featuring his sister Rose is legendary.

## Interactive Novel ##

An interesting story would be

It was about three o'clock on a Friday afternoon when Annette decided to leave school.

An Italian lesson was in progress. In an affected high-pitched voice, the Italian tutor was reading aloud from the twelfth canto of the Inferno.

Annette, however, was not interested in the lesson. She was tired of the strict rules and the dull routine of the finishing school. She longed for the excitement and adventure of the real world.

So, she quietly gathered her things and slipped out of the classroom.

Little did she know that she was about to learn more than she bargained for in the outside world.

Meanwhile, Rosa was torn between two Polish brothers.

The fierce and melancholy Rosa couldn't decide which one she loved more.

And Peter was obsessed by an indecipherable ancient script.

He spent all his time trying to解开 its mystery.

This is a story of a group of people under a spell, and the centre of it all is the mysterious Mischa Fox, the enchanter.

Mischa has the power to influence the lives of those around him, and his actions have far-reaching consequences.

As the story unfolds, we see how the lives of Annette, Rosa, Peter, and the others become intertwined with Mischa's.

We witness their joys and sorrows, their hopes and dreams, and their struggles to break free from the spell that binds them.

It is a captivating tale that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end.

I truly adored the cover of this early Murdoch work (novel #2). It is not only visually appealing but also accurately represents the essence of its contents.

What makes this novel stand out is its lively and youthful vim. It lacks the overly imposing knowing moral philosophy and earnestness that can sometimes be felt in Murdoch's more ponderous novels.

Although the moments of philosophizing in her other works don't always last for an extended period, "Flight from the Enchanter" has a unique pace and flow of action.

The story takes the reader on a thrilling journey, following characters up stairwells, into paper-strewn rooms, and the sitting rooms of old Suffragettes. It is filled with life and energy, bubbling over with excitement at every turn.

Overall, this novel is a delightful read that showcases Murdoch's talent for creating engaging and dynamic stories.

The last parts of this novel truly disappointed me.

For some inexplicable reason, I had been anticipating a thrilling and astonishing ending. However, not only did I not receive such an ending, but I also failed to truly "get" it. Nevertheless, I did enjoy the majority of the book.

Mystery shrouds many of the characters. In my opinion, there is not just one enchanter, but several. The writing is very good - despite the fact that I am unable to figure out what the main story is supposed to be.

We encounter Anette, who decides to enter "The School of Life". Then there is Rosa, who is raped by two Polish brothers, yet she soon refers to it as "love-making". Hunter, Rosa's brother, is not happy with Rosa's love interests. Calvin keeps dirty pictures of his mother in his breast pocket. John suffers at his job because of the women in power. And Mischa, a powerful and mysterious man, is famous even though no one really knows him. As one character admits, Mischa is a "problem" that he feels he will "never solve" (p. 206).

Overall, while the ending was a letdown, the rest of the novel had its moments of intrigue and interesting character development.