I initially began with a sense of uncertainty regarding this book. However, as I delved deeper into it and the story progressed, my attitude gradually changed and I found myself warming to it. The characters within the book were quite diverse. Some of them were truly infuriating, making me want to pull my hair out in frustration. Others, like Lucas, I simply didn't like for various reasons. But despite these character-related issues, the plot of the book was highly intriguing. It had me hooked from start to finish, constantly eager to find out what would happen next. Additionally, it was also extremely interesting to closely examine Murdoch's writing style. Her way of constructing sentences, developing the narrative, and creating a vivid world within the pages was truly captivating.

The Green Knight by Iris Murdoch is a late novel that delves into psychological and spiritual themes. While it has its strengths, it also lapses into some rather appalling caricatures, especially with minor characters like the 'Australian' publican Kenneth Rathbone. His dialogue is filled with clichéd Aussie larrikin phrases that seem out of place. However, it's not all bad. Murdoch explores thematic concerns that she has revisited often in her late fiction, demonstrating her acceptance of Aristotle's taxonomy of souls.

The novel also features some interesting elements related to stones, animals, and Shakespeare. The teenager Moy has a collection of stones that she anthropomorphizes, and the dog Anax is a central character with its own thoughts and struggles for identity. Shakespeare figures prominently throughout the text, with references to various plays and characters. The structure of the novel even emulates Shakespeare's late 'problem' plays. Overall, The Green Knight is a complex and sometimes flawed work that offers much to思考 and discuss.

I always experience a complex mix of emotions when I reread a beloved book.

On one hand, there is excitement as I anticipate spending hours immersed in something that I have already proven to love. It's like reuniting with an old friend.

But on the other hand, there is also trepidation. What if, for some reason, the story fails to captivate me as much as it did previously? What if the magic has worn off?

Sometimes, however, I am lucky enough to find that upon rereading, I love the book even more than I did originally. Such is the case with The Green Knight.

The Green Knight traces the lives of a group of people who are loosely arranged as a family. They live comfortably, with little drama, until a startling incident occurs. A man they all thought was dead suddenly drops back into their lives. This event sets off a series of events that forces each of them to re-examine their relationships with one another.

They also have to grapple with the realizations that people are not always who they say they are and that not everyone is intrinsically good.

Murdoch's characters are always odd in some sense or another. When reading any of her novels, I often find myself thinking, "But no one would ever do that." And yet, her characters always do. However, because Murdoch imbues her writing with so much philosophy and theology, the unexpected actions of her characters always seem justified.

For example, instead of thinking that early 20-something Harvey would never attempt to seduce middle-aged Tessa, it becomes reasonable in light of Oedipus. The result is that Murdoch's books are interesting in a way that many others are not. The plots can be ridiculous and the characters eccentric, but the writing is so intelligent that it all makes sense.

The Green Knight is one of Murdoch's most accessible novels, and is a good place to start if you haven't read her before.

A book that stands out for its beautiful writing, Murdoch was indeed a wonderful writer. However, the story itself was rather confusing. Her declining health seems to be reflected in the flawed story line. Nevertheless, her writing remained exquisite throughout. It was truly her masterful writing that compelled me to keep reading until the very end. The words she crafted were like precious gems, shining brightly even in the midst of a somewhat muddled narrative. Each sentence was a work of art, carefully constructed and filled with nuance and depth. Despite the challenges presented by the story, her writing was a source of great pleasure and inspiration. It made me appreciate the power of language and the skill of a truly talented writer.

The book is not bad, but now it is being read very slowly somehow...

The novel is broad and engaging.

The author constructs her message in a passionate amplitude, exploring the subtlest fluctuations of the human soul parallel to fundamental themes of existence: the eternal conflict between justice and cruelty, pride and submission, fate and chance. Inspired by biblical and medieval myths, the allegorical resemblance, the poignant undertext and symbolism blend beautifully with the masterfully interwoven genres of life. A special ornament to this serves the ever-present smile of Merdoka, the caustic irony about our weaknesses, fears and inability to radically resolve the collisions of our souls and life situations.

This novel takes the reader on a profound journey through the complex landscapes of the human psyche, challenging our preconceptions and making us reflect on the deeper meanings of life.

It is a work that combines literary artistry with a profound exploration of the human condition, leaving a lasting impression on the reader.

This was Iris Murdoch's 25th and penultimate novel. I have now read all of them except the final one (Jackson's Dilemma). I was initially rather wary of her late work. Perhaps it was because most of them missed out on the Vintage Classics rebranding and are rarely seen in bookshops. However, even at this stage in her career (1993), she was producing novels that could stand comparison with her best work.

Most of her characteristic idiosyncrasies are here again. It is another ensemble piece set among middle-class Londoners. There are enigmatic charismatic characters, watery trials, letters, philosophical and religious ideas, quirky relationships, unrequited love, adolescents who are both precocious and sheltered, and outlandish set pieces.

In this one, none of the protagonists is obviously a leading character, which makes it rather difficult to summarise the plot. The central conceit is created by Lucas, one of Murdoch's difficult reclusive academics. He was adopted by his parents and resents his younger brother Clement, a natural child of his parents who works in theatre. In the back story, Lucas lured Clement to a quiet spot ostensibly to see fireflies and appears to have attempted to murder him with a baseball bat. But instead, he hit a third man who intervened and left him apparently dead. Lucas enlists Clement's help in covering up the crime and is acquitted of the murder thanks to a lawyer who explains the incident as self-defence against a mugger.

The drama starts when the victim Peter Mir suddenly reappears. Mir is another enigmatic charismatic, a rich man who appears to have no friends. He demands to be introduced to Clement's circle of friends, who he has been watching while tracking Lucas down.

I won't even attempt to describe any more of the characters or the rest of the plot. It was another enjoyable read, but for me, the best of her later works are still The Good Apprentice and The Book and the Brotherhood.

This book took me almost three months to read.

I had to recheck it out of the library twice.

It was a real slog, and I'm not entirely certain if I'm rating it so highly simply because of the commitment I put in.

Nevertheless, it is an incredible dark academic-type read.

The characters in this book fundamentally misunderstand each other, which adds a layer of complexity and intrigue.

The story unfolds in a mysterious and often foreboding atmosphere, drawing the reader in and keeping them engaged until the very end.

Despite the challenges I faced while reading it, I'm glad I persevered, as it offered a unique and thought-provoking experience.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys dark academia or is looking for a challenging and engaging read.

This novel is significantly paler compared to Murdoch at her prime, as seen in "The sea, the sea".

The characters give the impression of residing in an earlier era. I find myself ultimately as perplexed as the character Clement regarding the extent to which the comparisons reach in the resetting of the legend of Gawain and the Green Knight.

The mysterious Peter Mirs manages to be an enchanting character, and Anax the collie steals the heart in a non-Lassie kind of way. However, reading it just for the dog isn't a very strong recommendation.

Perhaps there are other aspects of the story that could have been developed more fully to make it a more engaging read. As it stands, it feels somewhat lacking in depth and fails to fully capture the reader's imagination.

Nevertheless, it does have its moments, and those who are fans of Murdoch's work may still find something of interest here.

This book stands in complete opposition to all that I envision a book should be.

I purchased my copy from a used book store, having no prior acquaintance with Murdoch or her writing. I didn't even bother to peruse the synopsis neatly tucked into the sleeve of the dust cover. This was because, based solely on the title and cover art, I mistakenly assumed it would be a book centered around the Green Knight of the Matter of Brittan.

However, this book turns out to be a contemporary fiction novel that can hardly be stretched to be called fantasy. It features a dog that at times exhibits human-like intelligence and at other times serves merely as a plot device rather than a genuine dog. Additionally, it contains a murder that doesn't quite occur, which I suppose is the main fantastical element.

In essence, this book is a melodrama that fails to provide any reason to care about a single character or their life's tribulations. It so often strains your suspension of disbelief regarding whether or not these characters could actually be real people.

The ending is by far the worst aspect of the book. The major plot twist reveals that the missing brother isn't actually missing. Instead, he was having a romantic affair with the barely adult daughter of his long-time friend. They flee to America, and the relationship is disclosed through a letter. Moreover, the missing brother is also an attempted murderer who tried to commit fratricide and feels no remorse for the attempt or for having thought to have killed an innocent bystander in the process.

Overall, this book is a disappointment and fails to meet the expectations one might have had based on its initial appearance.

The first half of the story seems to drag on a bit, making the reader feel a bit impatient. However, the second half more than makes up for it, overwhelming the reader with a flurry of action and excitement.

Overall, though, it works pretty well considering all the subplots that need to be juggled. There are so many different storylines and characters that it can be a bit confusing at times. In fact, there were a lot of places where I had to page back a bit to remember who was talking about whom.

Moreover, there are quite a few peripheral characters who don't seem to contribute much to the overall plot. They just kind of float around in the background, adding a bit of color but not really advancing the story.

Finally, a couple of major plotpoints seem to depend on illogical magic. It's as if the author just pulled a convenient magical solution out of thin air to solve a problem. While this can be entertaining in some cases, it also makes the story feel a bit less believable.

Despite these flaws, though, the story is still engaging and enjoyable. It has its moments of excitement and drama, and it kept me turning the pages until the very end.

I've read this article twice now.

Each time I read it, I find myself more and more impressed.

This piece is truly remarkable and I have nothing but love for it.

I highly recommend it to everyone, especially children.

In fact, I sincerely hope that it becomes standardized reading material for all kids.

It has the potential to teach them valuable lessons, expand their vocabulary, and ignite their imagination.

The story is engaging, the characters are relatable, and the message is clear.

It's the kind of book that can have a positive impact on a child's life and shape their future.

I believe that if every child had the opportunity to read this, the world would be a better place.

So, I urge you to give this article a chance and share it with the children in your life.

You won't be disappointed.

4 1/2 stars! This work truly deserves such a high rating. It is strange in its unique narrative style, taking readers on an unexpected journey that keeps them on the edge of their seats. The unpredictability adds to its allure, making it impossible to guess what will happen next. It is also moving, tugging at the heartstrings with its powerful emotions and touching stories. The charming nature of the work is evident in its vivid descriptions and engaging plot. Moreover, it is deep, delving into complex themes and ideas that make readers think and reflect. And let's not forget the full cast of eccentric characters. Each one is brought to life in a vivid and memorable way, adding depth and color to the story. Overall, this is a remarkable work that combines all these elements to create a truly unforgettable reading experience.