I don't know what tempted me to spend 720 pages in the company of a group from the British upper echelons and observe the theatrical drama of emotional upheavals and insoluble animosities playing out within it. I didn't fall in love with anyone, I didn't feel any empathy for anyone. From start to finish, they all remained as indifferent to me as dry flies in the narrator's web, watching how every little twitch spreads in waves and after a while animates the entire web. Every now and then, there are witty bons mots and a bit too many unfortunate incidents to take them seriously. It's stuffy, petty, sticky, with one advantage, that it's quite shameless.

This story seems to be a detailed exploration of the complex and often unlikable relationships within a particular social circle. The narrator's detachment adds an interesting layer, as they are both an observer and a participant in this drama. The description of the characters and their interactions creates a vivid picture of a world that is both fascinating and repellent.

Despite the flaws and the rather unappealing nature of the story, there is something about it that keeps the reader engaged. Maybe it's the curiosity to see how the various conflicts will be resolved, or perhaps it's the hope that there will be some glimmer of redemption or understanding among the characters. In any case, it's a story that makes you think about the nature of human relationships and the role that social status and appearance play in them.

I'm not entirely certain that my literary preferences precisely align with those of the Complete Review guy.

This is a rather nice, albeit somewhat stuffy British novel. It delves into the lives of people who are seemingly hell-bent on defending their dysfunctional relationships, even to their own detriment.

The characters in this story are complex and flawed, much like real people. They struggle with their emotions, make poor decisions, and yet, they continue to hold onto their relationships with a tenacity that is both admirable and concerning.

The author does a great job of描绘 the inner turmoil and conflicts that these characters face, making the reader empathize with them on some level.

Overall, it's an interesting read that offers a unique perspective on the nature of relationships and the lengths that people will go to in order to maintain them.

I read the story with great glee. The plot was so engaging and filled with interesting characters that it immediately sparked my imagination.

As I finished reading, I couldn't help but think about how it could be turned into a play. So, I decided to give it a try.

I started by jotting down some ideas and then began to outline the scenes. I wanted to add a touch of silliness to the play, so I came up with some funny dialogues and actions.

After several hours of hard work, I finally had a completed script. I was excited to share it with my friends and see if they would find it as entertaining as I did.

I'm looking forward to seeing how the play turns out when it's performed. It's going to be a lot of fun!

Murdoch must be an even greater misanthrope than I am if she holds such a view of people. I'm not such a die-hard modernist that I absolutely require a hero, but this is surely the most despicable collection of characters in any book I've ever read. The philosophy expounded within is rather flimsy, and the dialogue comes across as artificial. Nevertheless, it is difficult not to be drawn into the drama. When comparing this book with the last one I read by her, if she uses the word "uncanny" one more time, I'm going to let out a scream.

It seems that Murdoch has a rather jaundiced eye when it comes to portraying human nature. The characters she creates are so unlikable that it's almost a challenge to get through the story. The philosophical underpinnings feel weak and underdeveloped, as if they were tacked on rather than integral to the narrative. And the dialogue, instead of flowing naturally, sounds stilted and contrived.

Yet, despite all these flaws, there is something about the drama that keeps pulling the reader in. It's like a train wreck that you can't look away from. Maybe it's the psychological depth that Murdoch manages to achieve in some of her characters, or perhaps it's the sheer audacity of her storytelling. Whatever the reason, it's hard to deny the power of the book to engage and compel. But please, Murdoch, enough with the "uncanny"!

Iris Murdoch novels are a well-known source of pleasure. However, it had been an extremely long time since I last read one, and I had completely forgotten just how delicious they truly are.

No other author has ever been able to create such thrilling and fast-paced narratives out of moral muddles and doubts of the metaphysical sort. Puzzling over which philosophical rants are likely to represent the true Murdochian view is indeed half the fun.

In this novel set in the sixties, both humor and tragedy have their prominent moments. It revolves around a young American man's decision to remain in England in order to avoid fighting in Vietnam. And, as in every Murdoch novel, we are vividly reminded of how effortlessly our obsession with ourselves can ultimately end up causing harm to those around us.

Murdoch's works have a unique charm that draws readers in and makes them think deeply about the human condition and the complex moral and philosophical issues that we face in life. Her novels are not only entertaining but also intellectually stimulating, and they continue to be widely read and studied to this day.

FAY-FA is an interesting and unique term.

It could potentially refer to a variety of things, perhaps a person, a place, or an object.

Maybe it's a nickname for someone with a particular charm or quality.

Or perhaps it's the name of a small town tucked away in a corner of the world, with its own distinct character and history.

Alternatively, FAY-FA could be the brand name of a product, something that stands out in the market for its innovation or style.

The possibilities are endless, and it's up to our imagination to fill in the details and create a story around this mysterious term.

Whether it's a fictional tale or a real-life account, FAY-FA has the potential to be a fascinating subject of exploration.

So, let's embrace the mystery and see where our thoughts take us.

The only Iris Murdoch book available at my library was a certain one. I decided to give it a try. It was indeed good, but I had to really push myself through reading it. The story had its own charm and depth, but it didn't possess the kind of succinct brevity that a severed head might imply. It was a more elaborate and detailed narrative, which required my full attention and patience. As I delved deeper into the book, I began to appreciate the author's writing style and the complex characters she had created. However, at times, the pacing felt a bit slow, and I had to remind myself to keep going. Overall, it was an interesting reading experience, but not without its challenges.

This has gone down as the worst book I have ever read.

To be honest, I have read quite a number of terrible books in my life, but this one takes the cake.

Throughout the entire reading process, nothing actually happens.

I found myself constantly persevering, thinking that surely something significant was bound to occur at some point.

However, as I continued to turn the pages, my hopes were repeatedly dashed.

There was no exciting plot twist, no engaging character development, and no meaningful conclusion.

It was just a never-ending stream of dull and uneventful pages.

By the time I finished the book, I was left feeling extremely disappointed and frustrated.

I would not recommend this book to anyone, as it is truly a waste of time and effort.

I can only hope that my future reading experiences will be more enjoyable and fulfilling.

A book lacking a protagonist is indeed more challenging to read than it initially seems. Moreover, a book in which there is no discernible pattern and no real significance to the lives of the characters is even more difficult.

However, I am glad that we chose to read this particular book for our discussion. Unlike numerous easy-to-read books, this one offered a wealth of topics to discuss and a great deal to think about.

Despite awarding it a 3-star rating, I suspect that this book will remain in my thoughts for some time. It has a certain quality that makes it stand out and lingers in the mind, even after the final page has been turned.

Perhaps it is the unique nature of the story or the thought-provoking themes that it presents. Whatever the reason, this book has managed to make an impression on me, and I look forward to further exploring its depths through our discussion.

This piece of writing is truly outstanding.

It is even superior to the other works I have perused. The writer is completely awesome.

The characters are amazingly well realised, coming to life on the page with such vividness and authenticity.

Her talent is so remarkable that I firmly believe she should be studied at university.

Students could learn a great deal from her masterful use of language, her ability to create engaging storylines, and her skill in developing complex and relatable characters.

She has a unique voice and style that sets her apart from other writers, and her work has the potential to have a profound impact on the literary world.

It is rare to come across such a talented writer, and I feel privileged to have had the opportunity to read her work.

I look forward to seeing what she will produce in the future and I have no doubt that it will be just as amazing as what she has already written.

I must admit that I did not have a liking for this book.

Undoubtedly, it was well-written, with a certain elegance and finesse in the language. However, the characters within its pages were extremely depressing and selfish.

They seemed to be constantly wallowing in their own self-pity and self-absorption, which made it quite difficult for me to engage with them on any level.

The writing, while nice, had an overabundance of self-examination. It felt as if the author was more concerned with剖析 the inner thoughts and emotions of the characters rather than telling a captivating story.

I simply cannot fathom why this book was touted as a funny one. It had no elements of humor that I could detect.

Perhaps it was a case of misinterpretation or a difference in personal taste, but for me, it failed to live up to the expectations set by its supposed comical reputation.

In conclusion, this book was a disappointment for me, despite its good writing.

The first of her novels that I think qualifies as a dud is truly a curious case.

It seems almost deliberate to make a book about contingency so very incoherent. I understand the intention behind it.

And indeed, there are some funny elements within its pages. However, the overall work never manages to come together cohesively.

As a result, it fails on two fronts. Firstly, it fails to be a reliably good Iris Murdoch novel, lacking the depth and quality that her name usually implies.

Secondly, it fails to transform our random lives into art in a meaningful way. After all, by the time this novel was written, Beckett was already far ahead in achieving that very thing.

So, I find myself rather perplexed as to what exactly she was trying to accomplish here. It remains a bit of a mystery, leaving the reader with a sense of dissatisfaction and confusion.

Perhaps further analysis and study might shed more light on the true nature and purpose of this rather lackluster work.