My initial exploration of Murdoch's work has left me in a state of confusion and muddle.

It is a complex book that fails to fulfill its promises, filled with too many non-sequiturs.

The premise never reaches a proper conclusion. The characters are trapped and limited by their own inaction and fear, and far too many of them break down in tears at the slightest provocation. This frustrated me as I couldn't bring myself to like any of the individuals or feel any sympathy for their plights. I wanted to knock some sense into all of them as their problems could have been easily solved by simply accepting responsibility. The reason why "The Enchanter" is regarded as such is never clearly explained in the jumbled mess of his ineffable personal connections. The evil of Calvin Blick seems pointless and inexplicable, and thus not truly evil at all. His symbolic value, if there was any intended, was completely lost on me.

If this is a clever book, then its cleverness surpasses my reading skills. However, I'm not dismissing it entirely. It has the literary merit of a modernist style and is therefore worth reading.

Early Murdoch fiction appears to be a bit more boisterous than that of her later works.

It has the potential to be a fully developed comic novel until it takes a tragic turn.

Certain set pieces, such as Rainborough's exasperated and clumsy attempts to understand his assistant, are truly excellent in their nuanced expressions of dry hilarity.

The early works seem to have a more exuberant energy, with a playfulness that later novels might lack.

The transition from comedy to tragedy adds an interesting layer of complexity to the stories.

Rainborough's struggles provide a humorous and relatable aspect to the narrative, while also hinting at deeper themes.

Overall, the early Murdoch fiction offers a unique and engaging reading experience, full of both laughter and pathos.

The Flight from the Enchanter (1956) is one of Murdoch's earliest works of fiction.

It is a rather baffling novel. Although all the loose ends are neatly tied up and we have a clear understanding of what happens to each character, there is something about it that leaves the reader with a sense of dissatisfaction.

The story is set in 1950s London and follows a group of people who are all under the spell of the enigmatic Mischa Fox. At the beginning, the novel shows great promise, captivating the reader's attention and making them eager to discover more. However, as the story progresses, it becomes evident that the whole thing is rather clumsily put together. Some of the characters seem to be developed quite well, while others feel flat and one-dimensional.

Despite my disappointment with this particular book, I am still determined to persevere with Murdoch's works. I believe that she has the potential to write truly great novels, and I am hopeful that her other works will prove to be more enchanting.

Fascinating and unpredictable, Murdoch's prose is truly a wonder to behold.

It is so vivid that it seems to leap off the page, keeping me completely intrigued from start to finish.

Strange occurrences abound throughout the story, adding an element of mystery and excitement.

The enchanter, in particular, remains a rather veiled figure, his motives and true nature hidden beneath a cloak of secrecy.

Meanwhile, the enchanted ones whirl around, their actions and emotions driven by forces beyond their control.

Murdoch's ability to create such a captivating and complex world is truly remarkable, and I can't wait to see what other literary treasures she has in store.

Hard to judge.

Many years ago, I happened to read a particular work titled "A Severed Head". At that time, I found it a bit dry and unengaging.

This work is filled with beautifully constructed vignettes, each one seemingly crafted with great care and attention to detail. However, for some reason, I didn't feel that it all came together in a way that delivered a real punch in the guts.

Perhaps this is my fault. I think that with repeated reads, it might yield more satisfaction and reveal greater treasures hidden within its pages.

It's important to note that this is definitely a work of writing for grown-ups. It requires a certain level of maturity and life experience to fully appreciate and understand the depth and complexity of the themes and ideas presented.

Overall, while my initial impression was not entirely positive, I am willing to give this work another chance and see if further exploration will lead to a more profound and fulfilling reading experience.

2.5

This book holds a certain allure within it. I would attribute most of its charm to the poetic and vivid prose. However, at times, the languid nature of the prose takes over, leaving less room for the characters to develop. Even towards the end, a new landscape and environment are introduced, with an entire chapter dedicated to its sinuous descriptions and minimal character interference.

Regarding the characters, I was initially intrigued by them - enough to draw me in and make me渴望 more. But as I turned the pages, I didn't find what I was seeking. The characters who were introduced with a beautiful mystery seemed to fade away and forget about that promise.

The plot began to disappear and get lost in its own sea of words. Annette's 'School of Life' ideas became relegated to the background and invisible. Rose's secret fight with the Lusiewicz brothers was overshadowed by Mischa Fox, and even Mischa Fox, who was initially unknown and enchanting, soon revealed himself to be just a sensitive boy pretending to be a master manipulator. All the webs he could have spun now seem only imaginary to the reader. And while he could have moved some of the pieces to set up the story, it is hardly visible to the reader, who has to endure the constant depressiveness that seeps out of every chapter and every character.

As much as I wish this to be a beautiful tragedy about how lives impact other lives, this book is like a rollercoaster. You ride it down, full of action and emotion, until you slow down at the bottom and then only slowly, slowly rise upwards, yet never reaching that high again.

Agarra fuerza hasta casi la mitad de la novela. It gradually builds up momentum and intensity as the story progresses. And then, just like every other novel written by Murdoch, it turns out to be completely crazy and extremely hilarious. The author has a unique way of crafting characters and situations that are both absurd and entertaining. The plot twists and turns, taking the reader on a wild ride full of unexpected surprises. You can't help but be drawn into the story and get caught up in the madness. By the end of the novel, you'll be left with a sense of amusement and satisfaction, having experienced a truly one-of-a-kind literary adventure.

One of the only Murdoch books that I'm just gonna tell you straight up not to bother with is this particular one.

It fails to engage the reader on multiple levels. The story lacks a clear and captivating plot, meandering aimlessly from one scene to another.

The characters are not well-developed, lacking depth and personality. You can't really connect with them or understand their motives.

The writing style is also rather平淡, without any real flair or excitement. It doesn't draw you in and make you want to keep reading.

In conclusion, save your time and energy and skip this Murdoch book. There are far better options out there that will provide a more satisfying reading experience.

Published in 1956 and set in England, this book presents several simultaneous intersecting stories.

It features a large cast of characters. One of the primary connecting characters is Misha Fox, who remains enigmatically in the background yet wields a larger-than-life influence over the other storylines.

Annette, a young woman, decides to leave school to embark on experiencing life. Hunter manages a small independent press that publishes a magazine, which Fox desires to purchase. Hunter's sister, Rosa, is also engaged in the business and attempts to prevent the sale from taking place. Additionally, she is (reluctantly) involved in a complex relationship with two brothers, Jan and Stefan.

There are numerous other characters who come and go in the narrative. The book reads like a pastiche of different individuals living in close proximity to one another. I found it to be reasonably entertaining, albeit disjointed. There is no overarching story arc. Themes such as migration and the emerging independent roles of women are explored. I have perused other novels by Iris Murdoch that I have relished more than this particular one.

Nice to start with a ‘minor’ Murdoch. She’s truly delightful, and I wasn't overly burdened with the lofty expectation that the work must be an absolute classic.

It's really quite funny, exuding a certain charm. At times, it offers profound insights that make you stop and think. However, at other times, the pacing seems a bit off, perhaps a little too slow or a touch too rushed. But despite these minor flaws, I thoroughly enjoyed it.

The quote “You will never know the truth, and you will read the signs in accordance with your deepest wishes. That is what we humans always have to do. Reality is a cipher with many solutions, all of them right ones.” really stuck with me. It makes you reflect on how we perceive the world around us and how our own desires and wishes can color our understanding of what is real. It's a thought-provoking statement that adds an extra layer of depth to the overall experience of reading the work.

Overall, it was a worthwhile read, and I'm glad I took the time to explore this particular piece by Murdoch.

In Iris Murdoch's novel 'Flight From the Enchanter', her diverse characters, hailing from all walks of life, encounter often appalling situations.

Take Rosa, for instance. She finds herself being shared by two Polish engineer brothers who work at her factory, while their elderly mother remains oblivious.

Her friend Annette has her expensive new green dress torn open by Rosa at a party hosted by the mysterious Mischa Fox.

At the same party, a fish bowl is shattered by Rosa, leading the guests to scurry around picking up the dying fish.

The Sufragettes' women's magazine, The Artemis, is nearly bought by Mischa Fox. However, the ageing members of the board suddenly turn up at the annual meeting. They prevent this from happening by signing cheques and either sipping champagne or tea, in accordance with their Temperance principles.

The circumstances in which these characters find themselves bring them into sharp relief, brutally exposing them to one another. They are like strangers, even if they are siblings or, especially, lovers. They wear masks that are suddenly torn away, revealing something that is either non-human or perhaps all too human.

My fifth novel by Murdoch, and disappointingly, the first one that failed to make a lasting impression on me.

It's rather strange considering that this particular novel was penned after the quite brilliant "Under the Net".

There is indeed a more or less familiar Murdochian style present, yet it seems to be in a state of arrested development.

Themes and motives that are recognizable from her other works are there, and even some of the characters bear a resemblance to those in her later novels.

However, despite all of this, it all appears too fragmented and underdeveloped, even for the technique that Murdoch employs here.

It's as if the novel is a work in progress that didn't quite reach its full potential.

Perhaps with more time and refinement, it could have been a more substantial and engaging piece of literature.

But as it stands, it falls short of the high standards set by her previous works.