In her continuous exploration of the contrast between philosophy and magic, the existence of beasts and creatures (as opposed to animals) holds a central position in Murdoch's examinations of the tormented lives of her human characters. In her 1988 novel 'The Book and the Brotherhood', these human characters strive to be 'good' while being trapped in a world of consciousness and language, divided from one another and from their true selves by rational minds. After 'The Good Apprentice', this is the second novel in what Harold Bloom predicted would be \\"...her strongest phase... rather surprisingly in the... form of the nineteenth century realistic novel.\\"

The deer: Gulliver, drunk after a party at Oxford, falls asleep under a tree in the deer park. He is awakened by a deer licking his face. He dreams it is a beautiful girl... \\"Gulliver jolted up. The deer sprang back, gazed for another moment, then trotted with dignity.\\" (52). However, there is no dignity for Gulliver or for many of the other revelers in their disheveled state.

The parrot: Gerard obtains a parrot from a client of his father's who \\"left England in a hurry\\". \\"Gerard loved the bird instantly and passionately. Its sudden presence in the house, its exalted winged bird presence, was a miracle to which he awakened with daily joy. Gerard's passion prevailed, not without some opposition, and the bird stayed.\\" (59) Gerard's sister, on the other hand, never established a rapport with the parrot. She teased it. When Gerard goes to boarding school, his father allows the family to give the parrot away. Gerard never entirely forgives his father. \\"Some perfect thing, some absolute safety, some ground of being, was, with his belief in his father's perfect goodness, gone out of the world forever.\\" (62) Gerard never again had \\"any relation with any beast\\". He realizes how fragile these gentle creatures are, how dependent on us, how vulnerable to our ignorance, our neglect, our mistakes, and to the wordless mystery of their own mortal being. (63)

Apart from the waterbirds, a band that appeared previously in 'A Word Child', another recurring element in Murdoch's fiction in 'The Book and the Brotherhood' are the Cox's Orange Pippin apples. Murdoch extols their virtues in a way that rejects the dualism of human versus animal based on Descartes in favor of the Aristotelian taxonomy of souls that includes vegetative, sensitive, appetitive, locomotive, and intellective. Apples take on a much greater significance given this phenomenological approach: \\"These English apples, much cherished by Rose's forebears, had always seemed to Rose to be good apples, innocent apples, mythological apples, apples of virtue, full of the sweet nourishment of goodness.\\" (245)

Even more than apples, stones are singled out for attention in many of Murdoch's novels. In this case, they are collected by Sinclair, \\"who had known each individual stone personally and given some of them names.\\" (245) Like Shakespeare, Murdoch finds there are \\"Sermons in stones, and good in everything.\\" This is the message to the planet... Rational discourse separates human beings from nature and ultimately from ourselves.

Stones: Sinclair's stone \\"was on the dressing table... The stone made her intensely sad as if it were demanding her protection and her pity. Was it glad to be chosen?\\" (539)

Finally, a comment on humanity in the late 20th century? The illiterate century, they want facts not fiction (273). The novel closes with a story about snails....

A literate soap opera that delves into what might be casually brushed aside today as "white people problems."

These individuals are predominantly well-off Oxford graduates who seem to be engaging in self-inflicted emotional torture, perhaps because they lack more meaningful pursuits.

Certainly, the mid-life crisis factor comes into play here.

Nevertheless, I found myself enjoying it and was reminded of Dostoevsky's 'The Idiot', which can also be considered a literate soap opera.

Interestingly, at one moment in the story, a character quotes Dostoevsky, although it's from 'The Demons'.

This connection to Dostoevsky adds an extra layer of depth and literary allusion to the narrative.

Despite the seemingly frivolous nature of the "white people problems" being explored, the story manages to hold one's attention and引发思考 about the human condition and the choices we make in our lives.

It shows that even in the most privileged of circumstances, people can still struggle with inner turmoil and a sense of purposelessness.

Overall, it's a thought-provoking and engaging piece that blurs the line between high and low culture.

I will keep this review brief, and truly wish Murdoch had adopted the same concise approach in this novel.

The story follows a group of intellectuals from Oxford over a span of many years. She meticulously chronicles the ever-shifting personal entanglements among them and offers profound reflections on morality, politics, and intellectualism.

Regrettably, I simply could not become invested in any of the characters. Although I can fully appreciate the genius of Murdoch's writing, which is truly fantastic, I found myself having little to no interest in the story she was attempting to convey.

Perhaps it was the complexity of the characters or the convoluted nature of the plot that left me disengaged. Nevertheless, it is clear that Murdoch is a highly talented writer, but this particular novel failed to capture my attention.

See my other reviews here!

I absolutely loved it.

It was so incredibly evocative of the whole Oxford scene. The intellectual atmosphere it portrayed was truly captivating and compelling.

I read it probably nearly 20 years ago. At that time, I had a certain understanding of it. But now, thanks to Sir Ian, I understand it all so much more deeply.

I love how my life experiences over the years have given me a more in-depth insight into the story and its meanings.

It's truly amazing how a book can have such a profound impact and how our perception of it can change and grow as we ourselves change and grow.

I still have that same love for this work, and it will always hold a special place in my heart.

It's a testament to the power of great literature to touch our souls and stay with us throughout our lives.

I feel really bad. I dropped this book into the bath one time too many. It's a used copy, and now it's an abused copy. I really beat the crap out of this book. I kept drifting off to sleep and dunking it. It was submerged more than once. There are spots of mold in it, that's how bad the situation is. (I've sprayed it with Lysol a few times.) I should probably throw the poor old thing away or even burn it. But my falling asleep had nothing to do with the book itself. I was just extremely tired from working on some very difficult projects at home and at my day job. By the time it came to my evening reading session in the bathtub, I was completely exhausted. So, the book suffered.

Every book is a story in itself, but often there is also the story of the reader reading the book. It's personal, and sometimes it's lovely, and other times not so much. But it's all part of life that's happening. And this book is what I happened to be reading during a time when I was going through some of the strangest things I have ever done in my life and hope never to do again. (Have you ever cleared out a house that belonged to a chronic hoarder? One who hadn't thrown out her trash in 20 years? Dude, I am writing a novel with that kind of stuff in it, you better believe it!) So, if I toss out this book, I'm essentially tossing out this period of my life along with it. Books take on a special meaning as objects. They absorb your life experience during the time you spend reading them.

Anyway, let's talk about Iris Murdoch and "The Book and the Brotherhood". (I had a doll named Iris once when I was very young, so I already love her name.) I absolutely love Iris Murdoch. Her writing is amazing. If there isn't a "#fuckyeahirismurdoch", there should be. This book, with all of its Marxist philosophy and the intertwining of complex personalities and random events, is just as fantastic as the last Iris Murdoch book I read. I can't get enough of her. I know I have another book or two by her sitting in one of my many "To be Read" piles. I keep buying more and adding to the piles. I try to read one of hers every year. I've run out of Virginia Woolf and Paula Fox books to read, so I'll take a philosophical journey with Iris.

A labored writing makes for a labored reading.

It often leads to an anticlimax that can make you feel懊恼 and frustrated. You might even find yourself kicking yourself for having endured the ordeal of reading the massive tome that builds up to it.

The experience is far from enjoyable, as if you are slogging through a swamp of words without any real purpose or excitement.

As for the feel of the writing, to quote a song title from the Gang Of Four, "Natural's Not In It".

It lacks the fluidity and authenticity that make good writing engaging and captivating. Instead, it comes across as forced and artificial, like a poorly constructed jigsaw puzzle that doesn't quite fit together.

Reading such writing can be a chore, rather than a pleasure, leaving you with a sense of disappointment and a desire to move on to something more worthwhile.

I'd literally forgotten that this Iris Murdoch even existed. Or that I was once briefly obsessed with it.

It's quite strange how memories can fade away so easily. One moment, something seems so important and captivating, and the next, it's almost completely wiped from our minds.

I used to be really into Iris Murdoch's works. Her writing had a certain charm and depth that吸引了 me. But as time passed, other things took precedence in my life, and I gradually forgot about her.

It wasn't until recently that something jogged my memory and made me想起 her again. Maybe it was a mention of her in a book or a conversation with someone.

Now that I've been reminded, I'm curious to revisit her works and see if they still have the same impact on me as they did before.

Who knows? Maybe this rediscovery will lead to a newfound appreciation for Iris Murdoch and her writing.

This is one of Iris Murdoch's most complex and philosophical novels. It is filled with her trademark humour and quirky plot twists. The narrative is many layered, covering a multitude of ideas. It is truly an enjoyable read. However, it might not be the easiest of her books to start with.

Murdoch's writing style in this novel is both intricate and engaging. She weaves together various storylines and themes, creating a rich and detailed world. The characters are well-developed and full of depth, each with their own unique personalities and motives.

The philosophical aspects of the novel add another layer of complexity. Murdoch explores ideas such as love, morality, and the nature of reality. These themes are presented in a thought-provoking and often challenging way, making the reader reflect on their own beliefs and values.

Overall, this novel is a testament to Iris Murdoch's talent as a writer. It is a complex and rewarding read that will appeal to those who enjoy literary fiction and philosophical exploration. While it may not be the most accessible of her works, it is well worth the effort for those who are willing to engage with its depth and complexity.

The first 100 pages of this book are truly great.

They draw the reader in with their engaging narrative and vivid descriptions.

However, after that initial excitement, it seems to lose its momentum and settle into a state of nothingness.

I remain interested in Iris Murdoch, as there are parts of this work that are quite brilliant.

Her unique writing style and deep insights into the human condition are still evident.

Nevertheless, there is probably a valid reason why this book has never been listed as one of her major works.

Perhaps it lacks the overall coherence and impact that her more renowned novels possess.

Despite its flaws, it still offers some interesting perspectives and moments of literary excellence.

It serves as a reminder that even the most talented authors have works that may not reach the same heights as their masterpieces.

I can think of numerous things that I would rather engage in than read a 600-page book that I didn't take pleasure in, yet I did it regardless.

This book is essentially the literary counterpart of a soap opera, populated mainly by unpleasant characters. For the most part, it is a plotless narrative that loosely revolves around a group of friends and their interactions.

If there is anyone in the book who stands out, it is Crimond, who is penning a book that his friends are supporting, but he never seems to be able to complete it.

Probably, the aspect I disliked the most about the book is that, in my view, the actions and interactions of the individuals were often illogical and idiotic. There were certain parts of the book that managed to hold my interest, but a significant portion of it was monotonous and充斥着大量无意义的对话.

This was my third Iris Murdoch novel, and most likely my last. She is highly regarded by many readers, but she is simply not a writer who caters to my tastes.

My favorite among the three Iris Murdoch novels that I've read is truly remarkable.

It delves into a plethora of profound themes such as Marxism and liberalism, faith and doubt, friendship and love, fate and free-will, fidelity and betrayal, and so much more.

I am at a loss for words when it comes to describing the sheer brilliance with which Murdoch constructs an incredibly intricate web of characters.

Their actions interact in a methodical yet chaotic manner, influencing each other and spiraling out of control in the most captivating way.

This novel is a masterful piece of craftsmanship, a literary gem that keeps you engaged from start to finish.

It makes you think deeply about the human condition and the complex relationships that shape our lives.

Murdoch's ability to explore these themes with such depth and nuance is truly awe-inspiring.

I highly recommend this novel to anyone who appreciates great literature.

Nobody meticulously builds to a climax quite like Murdoch.

His works are like carefully crafted symphonies, with each note and phrase contributing to the ultimate crescendo.

Every detail is thought out, every plot twist calculated to keep the reader on the edge of their seat.

It's no wonder he has become a new favorite among readers.

His ability to create tension and suspense is truly remarkable, drawing the audience in and making them feel as if they are part of the story.

Whether it's a thrilling mystery or a heart-pounding adventure, Murdoch knows how to deliver a climax that will leave you breathless.

So if you're looking for a writer who can take you on a wild ride and keep you entertained from start to finish, look no further than Murdoch.

He is truly a master of his craft, and his works are not to be missed.