I always have extremely high expectations when it comes to Murdoch. I firmly believe that he has the ability and talent to achieve great things. And time and time again, he has proven me right. I am never disappointed with his performance or the results he delivers. He constantly exceeds my expectations and shows remarkable dedication and perseverance in everything he does. Whether it's in business, media, or any other field, Murdoch always seems to find a way to succeed. His vision and leadership are truly inspiring, and I have no doubt that he will continue to achieve great heights in the future.

I don't know what to think. The premise is interesting and quite original. The characters are described in great detail and the story is more or less engaging. But for some reason, it didn't completely convince me.

It introduces intriguing/mysterious situations that most of the time end up going nowhere. There are too many philosophical-religious fragments (at first I read them, but then I got tired of them). It describes the characters in great detail, adding details that seem to be very important (Harvey's leg, his cane, the rocks and the swan of Moy...) but then they don't lead anywhere (or maybe they do and I didn't see the meaning).

I don't know, in general it seemed to me that the author started writing with a lot of detail, setting everything up very well. But then she saw that the book was getting too long (I've read 700 pages) and decided to close the plots anyhow (suddenly Aleph goes to the US and gets married, Harvey's leg is cured, who is the person seen at Lucas' house?, Peter suddenly dies - it seems like to get rid of him because the author doesn't know what to do with the character once she's squeezed the juice out of him -, Tessa disappears throughout the book and reappears as a detective?...) and so on and so forth.

Anyway, it's not bad but I've seen quite a few flaws. Sometimes it's entertaining and sometimes it gets long. A 6.5/10.

Gloucestershire library is a wonderful place that offers a wealth of resources and opportunities.

It is a haven for book lovers, with a vast collection of books covering various genres and topics. Whether you are interested in fiction, non-fiction, history, or science, you are sure to find something that catches your eye.

The library also provides a quiet and comfortable environment for reading and studying. You can relax in one of the cozy armchairs and lose yourself in a good book, or use one of the study desks to work on your assignments or research.

In addition to its extensive book collection, Gloucestershire library also offers a range of other services and activities. There are regular author events, book clubs, and children's storytimes, which provide a great opportunity to meet other like-minded people and share your love of reading.

Overall, Gloucestershire library is a valuable asset to the community, providing a wealth of knowledge and entertainment for people of all ages. Whether you are a regular library user or a first-time visitor, you are sure to be impressed by what it has to offer.

2.5

I was both entertained and disappointed. This is my fifth Iris Murdoch novel.

If she aimed to create the most irritating male characters in this particular one, then she surely succeeded. Bellamy James and Clement Graffe are truly pitiful, but not in an endearing sense.

The story has a touch too much magic, and not to mention that all the loose ends are rather gratuitously tied up with bows.

Sefton's story is my favorite among them. Aleph is more of a symbol than a fully developed character (and, upon reflection, so is Lucas).

Surprisingly, Moy, despite her telekinetic abilities, comes across as the most realistic.

However, at 500 pages, this novel feels 200 pages too long. The angst over the Green Knight in the final 150 pages is simply excessive.

There are just too many characters. Who on earth is Connie? Or Cora? I have no clue.

Hopefully, the next Iris Murdoch novel I read will be a better experience.

No one will ever touch this copy.

It lies there, untouched and pristine, as if waiting for something or someone. The pages are smooth and unblemished, the ink still fresh and vibrant.

Perhaps it holds a secret, a story that has yet to be told. Or maybe it is simply a relic of the past, a reminder of a time long gone.

Whatever the case may be, this copy remains a mystery, untarnished by the hands of others. It stands as a testament to its own existence, a silent observer of the world around it.

And though no one may ever touch it, its presence will continue to linger, leaving an impression on all who come across it.

This story began on a promising note with the beautiful writing of Iris Murdoch.

The characters in the narrative are all extremely intriguing. They are well-developed and fleshed out, which makes them come alive on the page. However, they can also be rather confusing as they all seem to find love within their group.

Alongside this complex web of relationships, there is the altercation between Peter Mir and Lucas, with Clement witnessing the entire incident.

The drama involving Lucas and Peter is both confusing and distracting. Moreover, the revelation that Peter is also mentally ill adds another layer of complexity. The problem is that all of these events happen too quickly, which I didn't particularly enjoy. Especially Peter's ending, which felt rather rushed and left me with a sense of dissatisfaction.

Overall, while there are some aspects of this story that are engaging and well-written, the pacing and some of the plot developments could have been handled better.

Published in 1993, this was Murdoch's 25th (and penultimate) novel. It is indeed a very good novel, yet it is not entirely dissimilar to her other works that I have perused. However, in my perception, it seems rather tame in comparison.

Yes, there are numerous characters, and as is customary, they are confounded and impulsive. But what is lacking is the wild and violent drama that I have come to associate with Murdoch. Additionally, her trademark humorous dialogue, both spoken and inner, is also absent.

There is very little action in this novel, which is also an oddity. I would have anticipated her characters to be more striking, perhaps yelling at each other or even throwing themselves on the floor. In fact, there are really only three great dramatic scenes here. The best one is very short and is told from the dog's point of view. The other involves Moy and the swan, and the last is the key scene where Peter Mir enters the story.

Peter is the central figure around whom everything and everyone revolves. He is both The Green Knight and also a Christ figure. This is where Murdoch's strength lies in this novel. Peter is shrouded in mystery and meaning, as well as sadness.

The other characters are somewhat disappointing and not very convincing. There are too many long and rambling scenes with excessive repetitive talking. Overall, the book is far too long. The story doesn't really get going until about page 90. I almost gave up on it, which is something I have never before contemplated doing with this great writer.

Nevertheless, if one can persevere through the protracted beginning and the long and rambling ending, it is a rewarding read with a powerful central motif.

This was a truly challenging book to persevere through. It undeniably had a literary quality to it, though!

It was interesting in its own way, but in the end, it was just too strange for me to fully enjoy. There were unconventional interpretations of well-known stories like Cain and Abel, the Transfiguration, and the death and resurrection of Jesus. However, these interpretations were so warped and/or incomplete that it made the overall story seem rather odd.

I firmly believe that her writing could be enhanced by some rigorous editing to eliminate the extraneous daily details that didn't contribute to the progression of the story at all. For instance, Iris provides the exact seating arrangement for dinner, only to change it as the characters express their dissatisfaction. Some of these kinds of details gave the impression that she was simply manipulating her characters like puppets on a stage, which really disrupted my immersion in the story.

Moreover, one character had telekinetic powers (for reasons unknown) and another had a screaming woman in the back room (again, the reason was unclear). So, what was the point of all this? I really have no idea.

After the Jesus-like character dies, rises again, and then dies once more (?), all the remaining characters seemingly marry each other to cope with their grief. Maybe this made sense to Iris, but it completely lost me.

If this review is to be in line with the book, I must mention that I am typing on my keyboard with chapped fingers from yesterday's trip to the beach. That excursion left me feeling lonely and drained due to the intense sun on the baking beach, while a colorful plastic ball bounced along and eventually burst. Perhaps this was a sign?

Now, the question is, who do I marry to bury my grief and fill my empty days?

Swan attacks! Umbrella swords! Vegetarian butchers!

This might be the wackiest book I’ve ever read, even for a philosophical novel. It exists in a strange realm caught somewhere between existentialism and absurdism. However, it never becomes as overly heavy-handed as many similar novels tend to be.

The pacing of the story was rather strange. At times, it felt a bit disjointed. But that didn't matter to me in the least because I was constantly on the edge of my seat, desperate to find out what was going to happen next! Anyone who claims to know how the book will end is simply lying.

The characters in this book were outrageously entertaining. They were so unique and full of life that they truly came alive on the pages. The dialogue was superb, filled with wit and humor that often made me burst out laughing. And, perhaps most importantly, it was always wonderfully queer, adding an extra layer of depth and authenticity to the story.

Overall, this book is a wild and crazy ride that I would highly recommend to anyone looking for something truly different.

A difficult book to settle on. It is a work that has moments of sheer brilliance. After all, it is written by Iris Murdoch, a highly regarded author. However, it also becomes mired at certain points in dialogue that seems unbelievable. Everyone in the book speaks with the same upper-class English eloquence, which can be a bit off-putting. Additionally, there are small dilemmas that are overly considered. This wouldn't necessarily have been a major issue, except that I think the book could have been significantly cut down. By doing so, it would have enhanced the power of what was actually happening in the story. I can't help but feel that the shadow of the author's Alzheimer's, which may have been incipient at the time of her writing, contributed to some of these issues. Nevertheless, there is still a great deal in this book that is good, worthwhile, and engaging.

I had never delved into any of Iris Murdoch's writings. This particular piece was likely not her most emblematic work, considering it was composed towards the latter part of her career.

Murdoch was a highly regarded and influential author, yet her body of work remained unexplored territory for me.

Perhaps this late-career piece held unique qualities and perspectives that were distinct from her earlier works.

It was a missed opportunity to have not yet experienced the literary genius that Murdoch was known for.

However, it also presented an exciting possibility of uncovering new literary treasures as I embarked on the journey of reading her works.

Who knows what profound insights and beautiful prose awaited me within the pages of her books?

I was eager to discover the world that Murdoch had created through her writing and to gain a deeper understanding of her literary vision.

Iris Murdoch’s last grand curtain call.

Everyone gets a nod in Iris Murdoch's work. There's Wittgenstein, Ekhart, Beowulf, Hamlet, and Goethe, all set against the backdrop of her beloved London. We even get to experience the vastness of the Sea! Her intellectual recall is truly astounding. In this novel, mature themes are explored alongside a giddy mix of eccentric characters and a plot that crackles with energy.

The sheer brilliance of this novel makes it all the more tragic that she fell into the fog of Alzheimer's so shortly after its completion. When this was written, IM was at the stellar height of her considerable imaginative and creative powers.

She saw now, in a sudden glimpse of the scene that the creature which the swan was trying to drown was not a dog, but a small black duck. In that instant, the duck became free. It leapt away, spread its wings, and rose from the water, uttering a strange cry of terror. Then it flew away into the mist. As Moy steadied herself, the swan was upon her. She saw the great wings unfold, and in the surface water, the big black webbed feet trailed like claws. As the swan fell upon her, pressing her down with its descending weight as it had pressed down the little struggling duck.

Moy lost her balance and slipped backward, seeing the heavy curving breast above her, the snake-neck like a rope of greying fur. And for an instant, as if in a dream, she saw eyes glaring in a mad face. As she felt the terrible weight upon her, she tried to free a hand from the rising water to hold it away, tried to move her clogged feet, and attempted to scream. The next moment it was over. The swan passed from her, beating the water violently with a loud sound with its wings, rushing away over the surface of the river, then rising into the silence of the gathering mist.