This book truly came as a very pleasant surprise to me.

Lately, I have developed a habit of picking up more books at the thrift store. I usually make my selection simply based on the blurb, and often I will also look up the rating on here. The Green Knight was one such book that caught my attention.

Murdoch is a master at writing characters. The perspective frequently shifts among a few members of a small circle of friends in London. All of these people seem to come alive on the page. They are undoubtedly unique characters, yet they feel so much like real people you could actually encounter and meet. Murdoch doesn't over-describe their appearances, but provides just enough details that I had a clear mental image of each of them.

Although there is a certain element of mystery in the plot, the book mainly focuses on the psychology of the people you meet. This might not be to everyone's taste, but personally, I really enjoy slow-burn stories and delving into the thoughts and motivations of the characters. This is combined with numerous references to literature, art, and spirituality, elements that I greatly enjoyed but which might not make it the most accessible read. It also assumes that the reader has some basic knowledge of French, as French terms and sentences are not translated.

This is not to deter potential readers, as the story actually has many twists and turns that keep you on the edge of your seat and made me, at least, extremely curious to see where it would all lead.

In the beginning, I was a bit confused about when the story was taking place. The way people lived and dressed initially made me think it was set perhaps in the 1960s, but later it became clear to me that it was set in the early 1990s.

I thoroughly enjoyed this novel and would highly recommend it to anyone looking for something to curl up with on a rainy afternoon.

I must admit that I did not find the characters in this work to be compelling.

They seemed rather flat and lacked depth, failing to draw me into their world and make me care about their fates.

Additionally, the story itself was not well-written.

The plot felt disjointed and the pacing was off, making it difficult for me to become fully engaged.

There were no real twists or turns that kept me on the edge of my seat, and the overall narrative failed to leave a particularly memorable impression.

In conclusion, while there may have been some elements that showed potential, this work as a whole simply did not meet my expectations in terms of character development and story construction.

It left me feeling rather disappointed and unfulfilled, and I doubt that it will be a piece that I will remember for very long.

I have a profound love for the seamless interweaving of older stories with new ones. In this day and age, when it seems that everyone is of the opinion that remakes and reboots are the bane of the literary world; soulless, banal, insipid, and lazy, completely lacking in any redeeming creative element, I find myself deriving immense pleasure from this renaissance of reimaginings. The Green Knight, which was published as far back as 1995 (goodness me, I was scarcely out of college at that time), is no exception (though it is most certainly exceptional).

My usual literary preferences tend to lean towards speculative fiction, cyberpunk, SF, and sometimes even Fantasy. However, I do have a particular soft spot for a unique blend of social commentary and romantic comedy, such as one might encounter in the works of Austen or the Brontës. With her philosophical underpinnings, Iris Murdoch has always managed to scratch that particular itch in the most exquisitely pleasing manner.

I am also an ardent admirer of Arthurian legends, and thus I simply could not resist a modern retelling of The Green Knight by a favorite author. This book does not disappoint. It is not a direct replication of the original tale, nothing as straightforward as what one might anticipate from, say, Gregory Maguire. The imagery is not overly subtle, to be sure. After all, the protagonist is fixated on wearing green, and one of the characters outright names the Green Knight as his mythological doppelgänger. But Murdoch is here to tell her own story. There are quests, a requisite deep exploration of morality (though certainly nothing at all like what we find in that ancient story), temptation, questions of faith, and even the hunt is incorporated. Still, this is truly a story about people and relationships, and about finding courage and a reason to move forward even in the darkest of moments, much like anything else I have read from Iris Murdoch.

She tells it beautifully, of course. I typically have little patience for lengthy passages of description and page after page of dialogue without action, but somehow she manages to make it engaging. There are lengthy monologues and introspective rabbit holes that each character seems to have to navigate before finding their way forward, yet I simply had to keep turning those pages.

If I must be critical (as I have admittedly not been thus far), I would say that the neatly tied-up endings of so many sub-plots among so many characters does begin to feel a bit absurd. There is a neat little ribbon on the end of each one, and while none of them explicitly state "happily ever after", that is the flavor they leave in one's developing cavities after finally turning the last page. I am far too old for the concept of happily ever after, but I will forgive her for that transgression in light of all else that this story has to offer. I have to visit the dentist anyway. I might as well indulge a little before I get there.

This is my third Murdoch book this year.

I truly love these novels that are both weird and funny, yet also beautiful.

They are filled with numerous interesting moments that keep me engaged from start to finish.

What repeatedly strikes me is how familiar some of the thoughts and feelings expressed by the characters are to me, despite the fact that we all come from very different times.

The ending of this particular book was extremely touching, and it really tugged at my heartstrings.

However, I must admit that I utterly despised Bellamy in this story.

His actions and behavior were just so unlikable and made it difficult for me to have any sympathy for him.

Overall, though, I still thoroughly enjoyed this Murdoch book and look forward to reading more of her works in the future.

The Green Knight by Iris Murdoch is a remarkable work that artfully combines myth, morality, and exquisitely detailed characters. It presents a unique reading experience that both challenges and rewards its audience. The story is ambitious and captivating, yet at times, it can be a bit difficult to follow.

Murdoch is renowned for her profound philosophical concepts and incisive understanding of her characters' psyches. In this book, she weaves a tale about a mysterious man who disrupts the lives of a group of Londoners. It pays homage to the ancient Arthurian legends, particularly the story of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, but is set in a somewhat modern context. Retelling the Arthurian legend is an intriguing endeavor as they were preoccupied with clear-cut virtues and the knights who personified them. Utilizing the myth as a symbolic guide adds great depth and prompts readers to contemplate forgiveness, making amends for mistakes, and the meaning of confronting tough moral choices.

Her writing is of the highest quality, extremely detailed, and perhaps a bit ostentatious. Her characters are complex and fascinating, but deciphering them can seem like solving a puzzle. Their actions are not always relatable or even comprehensible to the average reader, which can make their plot lines feel forced or improbable. They engage in extensive discussions about profound topics, which is a great device for exploring big ideas, but sometimes it slows down the narrative and disrupts the emotional flow.

One aspect that seemed a bit off was how Murdoch concludes all the romantic subplots in the story. She appears to strive too hard to neatly tie up every loose end, which feels artificial compared to the rest of her typically realistic portrayal of relationships. It somewhat clashes with the messy, real-life atmosphere that she is so adept at creating.

Moreover, despite being published in the '90s, the book has a distinctly old-fashioned feel to it, which can make it challenging to determine the time period in which the events are supposed to occur. This may be intentional, aiming to give the story a timeless quality like the Arthurian legends, but it can also make the setting seem a bit nebulous and unclear.

Overall, The Green Knight is a classic Iris Murdoch work - intelligent, challenging, and definitely worthy of a read for those who enjoy stories that make them think deeply and feel strongly. It is not the easiest book to read, but if one perseveres, it offers a rather rewarding experience.

I sometimes think Murdoch lived in Cloud Cuckoo land.

Would three teenage girls, no matter how well educated, really spend an evening in a TV-less room playing the piano and reading Milton aloud? And this was in 1992!

Nevertheless, this is yet another riveting tale from the lady. It has a fast pace and some interesting characters, including a dog called Anax.

Actually, Anax's thought processes as he runs around London looking for his former master are brilliantly presented. For me, this is the best part of the book.

It is less philosophical than her other later novels, but all the features usually found in the Murdoch World are here for the devoted fan.

One can't help but be drawn into the story and the lives of the characters.

The lack of a TV in that room adds an element of authenticity to the setting, making it seem almost like a throwback to a different era.

And Anax's adventures in the big city are both heartwarming and exciting.

Overall, it's a great read that will keep you entertained from start to finish.

I read The Green Knight over the course of more than two weeks, spending a significant amount of time with Iris Murdoch's captivating characters. The unique world of the story is highly immersive; I felt as if I truly got to know the eccentric, bohemian, and intellectual Londoners who populate its pages. After finishing my second Murdoch novel, I'm even more impressed by her strong emphasis on craftsmanship while presenting engaging and unusual narratives. The Green Knight is indeed a highly accomplished novel of ideas.

In London, a group of friends forms a makeshift family. There are the Andersons, a widow and her three teenage daughters living in a house called Clifton. Clement and Lucas Graffe, adoptive brothers, seem incredibly close on the surface but have festering resentments and a toxic power structure in private. Bellamy, a religious fanatic, is determined to give up all his loved ones to become a monk. And there are various other people in their orbit who make up the close-knit group. At the start of the story, Lucas has been missing ever since he accidentally killed a man. The papers claimed he acted in self-defense against a mugger, but he did stand trial for using excessive force. After being acquitted, he vanished without a trace, leaving Clement and his friends extremely worried. Then, a man appears in the lives of the group, claiming to be the man Lucas struck down, back from the dead. He begins to insinuate himself into their social circle and makes demands for reparation. His idea of justice is invasive and almost medieval, and the lives of everyone involved will never be the same.

The characters in this book are quirky, with specific preoccupations and obsessions. Witnessing how they handle the situation that forms the premise of the story is truly fascinating. Their reactions and impulses reveal the kind of people they are, something the characters themselves ponder at length. They are constantly asking, "Who do I want to be?" The various crises throughout The Green Knight continuously shift the answers to that question.

This is an ensemble piece. I adored the Andersons; they reminded me a bit of the Schlegels in Howards End. I relished the family life depicted in this novel. Bellamy views events through a feverishly devout religious lens. I like characters like Clement, who is always "dreaming... wildly imagining things." The inherent sadomasochism in Clement and Lucas's relationship is central to the story. There is a love triangle, or rather a rectangle, a many-sided thing that is a mess of unrequited love. Murdoch is excellent at creating a social circle and delineating those social relations. She has a remarkable way of introducing us to all the characters in depth. You truly understand the ins and outs of the group as if you were a member yourself. You see how each person relates to every other person and how the dynamic functions as a whole.

I loved the mystical elements. In The Green Knight, there are cool, ambiguous supernatural occurrences. The resurrected man is terrifying! And the circumstances surrounding him are eerie. This novel is philosophical, dealing with justice, vengeance, moral quandaries, and religious questions. It's definitely allegorical. I love that in both Iris Murdoch novels I've read - the other being The Sea, The Sea - the painting on the cover is featured in the story. Murdoch is a genius, connecting her literature to fine art. And the art is perfectly paired with the themes of her novels!

I enjoyed the omniscient POV, the authorial voice, and the portentous narration. There are many great lines like: "It is necessary at this point to recount what actually occurred, as opposed to what was generally supposed to have occurred, on that terrible evening when Lucas killed a man." I love the old-fashioned cadences of the prose. And boy, can Iris Murdoch write a letter! There are several epistolary passages in the novel. There are also many cool dream sequences. Murdoch has a gift for setting a scene, conjuring up locations so vividly that you can truly see them. I love the homey details of Clifton. Like in The Sea, The Sea, there are remarkable descriptions of the sea and clouds.

The Green Knight has so many great lines. The sentences are elegant and beautifully crafted. If you love language and style, you'll love this. There are fantastic, long passages of (often hilarious) dialogue. There are great reveals in the novel late in the game, things that have been carefully concealed. In the end, I was moved to tears.

The Green Knight is a story of good and evil. It's about social and familial entanglements with all the rich psychologies that accompany them. It's brimming with symbolism and life-altering events. There's plenty of humor to go along with the existential crises. All the perspectives and reactions of the characters are a delight to explore. This novel is truly different from anything else. I loved it. All hail Iris Murdoch!

The book commences with two ladies engaged in a chat about individuals who seemingly don't hold much significance.

Regrettably, this is sufficient to completely turn me off.

I can't help but wonder, if it begins in such a manner, what are the odds of it improving?

It makes me rather skeptical about the remainder of the book.

Will there be any redeeming qualities that will emerge as the story progresses?

Or will it continue to be filled with such uninteresting and seemingly inconsequential conversations?

Only time will tell, but at this point, my expectations are not very high.

I hope that as I delve further into the book, it will surprise me and prove to be more engaging than its initial start suggests.

Otherwise, it may end up being a rather disappointing read.

Not every Iris Murdoch novel is truly enjoyable.

Her penultimate novel, Jackson's Dilemma, is a rather strange work. It is almost unanimously regarded as the final output of a brilliant mind gradually fading away due to Alzheimer's disease. It bears some resemblance to Agatha Christie's later decline.

This book, which is the one before the last, has an almost opposite feel. Like many authors in their later years, Murdoch appears extremely determined to express what she has to say in this final effort. The outcome is a substantial novel (although it's not her longest by about 100 pages or so). However, it feels the most forced.

Reading this requires you to sort through sometimes 2 - 3 page-long blocks of unbroken text, often detailing the precise physical movements of a character. Gone are the brilliant dialogues and concise descriptions of her early novels, as well as the long, ponderous, and often hilariously ironic perspectives of her later novels. We are left with a novel that seems to be searching for a purpose.

I didn't particularly like the novel that comes before this one either, but that seems more like a matter of personal taste for me, rather than a failure of the novel itself.

I picked up this book due to the allusion in the title to Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. Additionally, I had never read anything by Murdoch before. As I began reading, I set out with high expectations. However, this has proven to be a torturous read. I have a penchant for descriptive writing, but Murdoch takes it to an extreme by describing every single minutiae. Moreover, the semi-stream of consciousness description of the characters' thoughts starts to annoy me after a while. How many times must I endure a character's overly melodramatic mental musings and angst? Then there are the overly sentimentalized verbal outpourings of the characters, most of whom seem to suffer from melancholia! My second favorite character had to be Lucas. He was a self-absorbed cynic, but he was not as nauseating as his self-pitying brother Clement or Bellamy or Harvey or Louise. Nevertheless, there is something to be gained from reading this novel. Themes and symbolism are abundant, but it is Moy's character that truly captivated me.

As Linda Simon excerpted in the NYTimes, "Ms. Murdoch is an admirable artist. Reading her work is like watching an expert needlewoman embroider, with fine silk thread and a dazzling array of stitches, a large, intricate, multicolored piece of fancywork. But as the design becomes more complicated and the patterns more repetitious, one senses that the embroiderer may realize more pleasure than the viewer."

It's the strangest thing.

I really liked the book, yet I found myself unable to precisely identify just what it was that I liked about it.

The story seemed to have an intangible charm that drew me in from the very beginning.

Perhaps it was the unique characters with their complex personalities and hidden depths.

Or maybe it was the vivid descriptions that painted a picture in my mind so clearly that I felt as if I were right there in the story.

It could also have been the unexpected plot twists that kept me on the edge of my seat, eager to turn the next page.

Whatever it was, this book had a special something that made it stand out from the others.

Even though I couldn't put my finger on it, I knew that it had made a lasting impression on me.

I will definitely be thinking about this book for a long time to come.

Things I liked:

Murdoch has an extraordinary talent for crafting villains and characters that are flawed and weak. These are the kind of characters that you might despise at first glance, yet you can't help but be drawn to them and eager to read more about their stories. In fact, very few of the characters in the book are particularly likeable, but strangely enough, this doesn't take away from the overall quality of the book. Another aspect that I adored was the mystical supernatural elements. It added an extra layer of intrigue and fascination to the story. The exploration of toxic and complex relationships, as well as sibling rivalry within a group of close friends and family, was truly captivating. There was also some great humour sprinkled throughout the book, especially in the character of Bellamy, who was deluded and had some rather absurd mystical obsessions. And let's not forget the dog, who was an absolute hero and stole the show with its charm and loyalty.

Things I liked less:

The teenagers in the book were so precocious and dramatic that they were at best irritating and at worst simply unbelievable. I found myself questioning whether teenagers in the early nineties, even in posh academic London circles, would really say "my dearest" to each other. The ending was almost a farcical and sickly romcom ending, but it was just about redeemed by one of the better and more likeable characters, Moy, at the very last minute.

But, despite these minor flaws, Iris Murdoch is truly a fabulous writer. Her ability to create such complex and engaging stories is truly remarkable.