What do I have to say about The Green Knight? It was a birthday gift, presented by the boy who is well aware that books are truly all I desire. My initial encounter with Murdoch was through The Sea, The Sea, a book that had a distinct feel and tempo.

Unlike that, this particular book immediately immerses one into a chaotic symphony of characters. There are themes of Cain versus Abel and the Green Knight, along with people falling in love with others. Here, love often comes as a sudden realization, like a dormant, hibernating feeling that awakens at the opportune moment. And there's a charming and lovable dog as well.

It truly lured me into hours of reading, and I did have a genuine liking for it, even if I didn't experience an all-consuming love. Its strangeness and whimsy added to its allure.

As Murdoch wrote, "How terribly quickly things go away into the past and people become ghosts, first vivid ghosts, then pale ghosts, then just names, then -- nothing". This profound observation really stuck with me.

Also, the translation by Clement, "Do not expect any word or any sign from me. Your will is free, upright and sound, it would be wrong not to be ruled by its good sense. And so, master of yourself, I crown you and I mitre you", added another layer of depth to the story.

Overall, The Green Knight is a captivating read that offers a unique literary experience.

I always have a great penchant for reading Iris Murdoch. Her characters are never mere stereotypes; they are always unique, always richly textured and multifaceted. And yet, she doesn't truly pen a "realistic" novel.

I might almost describe The Green Knight as particularly fanciful. However, it still harbors honest emotion within it. And, as is always the case, Murdoch does an outstanding job of delving into the capricious human heart. She explores the ways in which people often fabricate mysteries about themselves to themselves, the ways we deceive others, rely on pretense and habit in our relationships, and very seldom are completely forthright with ourselves or others.

It could potentially be rather depressing if she weren't so playfully mischievous in her delivery and if she didn't frequently (and indeed in The Green Knight) grant her characters that most unrealistic of things, a happy ending. This happy ending, in a way, serves as a glimmer of hope in the often complex and convoluted world that Murdoch creates. It shows that even in the midst of all the chaos and dishonesty, there is still a possibility for something美好的 to emerge.

I’m almost done rereading Iris Murdoch.

There is just one more book to go.

The Green Knight is a fascinating tale about a strange man who unexpectedly stumbles into the lives of a closely-knit group of family and friends.

His arrival completely changes everything.

For some members of the group, happiness is discovered and newfound.

However, for others, it is not quite the same.

It’s Murdoch’s familiar and wonderful blend of complex relationships and profound philosophy that I love so very much.

Her ability to explore the depths of human nature and the intricacies of interpersonal connections is truly remarkable.

As I approach the end of this rereading journey, I am filled with a sense of anticipation and excitement for what lies ahead in this final book.

I know that Murdoch will once again take me on a thought-provoking and emotional adventure.

I can’t wait to see how The Green Knight concludes and what new insights and perspectives it will offer.

This is my third time re-reading Iris Murdoch’s The Green Knight.

Just like all of her books, it is filled with an abundance of elements. There is so much beauty that can be found within its pages, along with paranoia, humour, and anxiety. The lushly-worded symbolism is like a maze that one has to wade through. Her writing is truly remarkable, similar to an ornate tapestry or a painting with multiple layers of depth and detail. Murdoch is my all-time favourite writer. It is her imperfect prose that keeps drawing me back for multiple readings.

The stark difference between this novel and Jackson’s Dilemma, which was her next and final piece of work before succumbing to the awfulness of Alzheimer’s, is truly tragic. However, it also serves as a powerful testimony to her incredible imagination and her unwavering desire to write and create throughout her entire lifetime. Her works will always be cherished and remembered for their unique charm and profound insights.

The Minneapolis Star-Tribune penned that The Green Knight "can be perused as a fairy tale, as a soap opera, [and] as a love story".

I would further assert that it is also a revenge drama, a virtuoso character exploration, and a sensitive depiction of the stage in children's lives—particularly girls' lives—when they first encounter sex and commence to shed the carefree innocence of childhood.

In addition to the medieval English poem that served as its inspiration, Murdoch's Green Knight brings to my mind A Midsummer Night's Dream, Crime and Punishment, and Little Women. However, it also possesses the inimitable philosophical and moral nuance that is distinctly Murdoch's.

When it comes to books, I often find it arduous to select favorites. Nevertheless, this is effortlessly a favorite that endures rereading. It offers a rich tapestry of themes and characters that continue to captivate and engage with each new encounter. The story's depth and complexity make it a literary gem that rewards careful study and reflection.

Whether one views it as a fairy tale, a drama, or a love story, The Green Knight has something to offer every reader. It is a testament to Murdoch's skill as a writer and her ability to create a world that is both enchanting and thought-provoking.

The philosophical talk presented in the text is indeed charming and thought-provoking. However, there is a significant drawback. The author offers detailed descriptions of the characters, but fails to allow for an examination of these characters in conflict. As a result, I was unable to develop a strong attachment to them. Had I witnessed their personalities being worked out in specific situations, I might have felt more connected. Instead, as I lost interest in the characters, the artificial plot began to annoy me greatly.

Yes, I managed to finish it. But, oh my lord, it just seemed to go on and on with a fully realized collection of terrible people. They were all wimps, even Lucas, who only bullies his way out better. Good grief! It was quite a frustrating read, to be honest. The lack of character development and the unappealing nature of the characters made it difficult for me to truly engage with the story.

Perhaps if the author had taken a different approach and allowed the characters to face conflicts and grow, I would have had a more positive experience. As it stands, however, the story left me feeling rather disappointed.

Η Άϊρις Μέρντοχ είναι μια εξαιρετική συγγραφέας. Με μπόλικη μυρωδιά αγάπης και πάθους, υφαίνει έναν απροσδόκητο ιστό γύρω από την ψυχή του αναγνώστη. Στα έργα της, υπάρχουν αξέχαστες στιγμές, δράση, αγωνία, ανατροπές και αρχή-μέση-τέλος, τα οποία είναι σημείο αναφοράς που διακρίνει την πένα της.

Ακόμη κι αν ξεχαστεί η δράση ενός έργου της, η αίσθηση που αφήνει δεν ξεχνιέται ποτέ. Για παράδειγμα, ο πράσινος ιππότης είναι ένα επιβλητικό μυθιστόρημα για μια συναρπαστικά δυνατή και περίεργη ιστορία σκοτεινού οράματος. Πρόκειται για μια ομάδα πνευματικά καλλιεργημένων και ιδιαίτερα μορφωμένων Λονδρέζων, των οποίων οι σχέσεις μεταξύ τους είναι αναμφιβόλως αμφίβολες.

Είναι συγγενείς, φίλοι, εραστές, σύντροφοι, συμφοιτητές πνεύματος, συνοδοιπόροι ζωής, προστάτες άγγελοι, ανυπέρβλητοι μάγοι και ιεροί δαίμονες. Οι περισσότεροι από αυτούς ψάχνουν την αγάπη ή την λύτρωση ή και τα δύο, και η πορεία των σχέσεων τους διαπνέεται από διακεκαυμένες ζώνες συναισθήματος, θαυμασμού, σεβασμού και κρυμμένου πάθους. Όλα ανατρέπονται όταν στη ζωή τους εισβάλει ένας ισχυρός και χαρισματικός ξένος άνδρας που κρύβει πολλά, μπερδεύει, μαγεύει και αναποδογυρίζει τον κόσμο τους.

Το τελικό στάδιο οράματος στη ζωή και το έργο της Μέρντοχ με αυτό το βιβλίο είναι πιο ψυχοφθόρο απ’ το συνηθισμένο. Η ανταμοιβή απαιτεί δυνατή αποπληρωμή για νικητές και ηττημένους. Αυτό σίγουρα δεν είναι το κατάλληλο βιβλίο για να γνωρίσει κάποιος την αποπνικτική σαγήνη της Μέρντοχ. Προσωπικά τοποθέτησα στο πάνθεον των βιβλίων που αγάπησα τον δικό της «μαύρο πρίγκιπα». Καλή ανάγνωση. Πολούς ασπασμούς.

Iris Murdoch was a renowned philosopher, although my knowledge of her philosophy is limited. She was also a novelist, and the subject of a touching film, "Iris" (2001), which depicted her descent into Alzheimer's. I had read one of her novels a long time ago and recalled enjoying it. Recently, the idea of seeking out more of her novels occurred to me. Her name came up in a discussion where someone said that if one has a desire to read about people having afternoon tea, her books are filled with such scenes. And that was precisely the desire I had at that moment.

I have tried to avoid ordering books online unless I can't find them in a physical bookstore, as shopping in a bookstore is such a pleasure for me. However, none of my favorite shops seemed to carry any of her works. I suppose since she passed away in 1999, her novels have started to go out of fashion. But eventually, I came across several of her books in a used bookstore and quickly bought them. I was particularly intrigued by the title of this one because I had just seen the film "The Green Knight," which was so strange, hypnotic, and beautiful.

The book indeed had many cozy scenes of rainy days when people would sit indoors, talking and making tea for each other. The characters were at times sympathetic, implausibly articulate and intellectual, charmingly quirky, painful to read about in their occasional intense suffering, and difficult to understand despite the stream-of-consciousness writing style. Basically, they were like people I would enjoy spending time with in real life. At almost 500 pages, the book delved deeply into their psyches. By the end, I felt attached to them and sad to say goodbye on the last page. At the same time, I was ready for a bit of an introverted break from all the intimacy and intensity of spending time with them.

The resonances with the medieval story of Gawain and the Green Knight were clear without being overly obvious, so it was fun to recognize the familiar elements. I really don't know if I would recommend this book to others. It's the kind of book where you need a lot of time and calm to let yourself be taken by the meandering story and character arcs, to savor the beautiful prose, and to contemplate the strangeness of things. You come out at the other end a little confused about where you've been and why you were there. Nevertheless, I really enjoyed it and was glad to have read it. It was "a journey," as they say. Another charming aspect for me is that it was published in 1993, a couple of years before the advent of e-mail and the internet. So it has the nostalgic aspect of being set in a world where people still sent letters through the mail, the immobile telephone was still an important means of communication, and relationships had the simplicity and immediacy of the pre-social media world, with no one fixated on posting pictures of their lunch to Instagram. It made me miss that world.

"People don't really talk like that, do they?" I kept asking myself as I read.

"Exactly when is this placed in timewise?" They don't seem to have any modern conveniences, but as timeless as the book reads, it seemed very dated to me for a book published in 1993.

It had to be one of Murdoch's last books before she lost herself to dementia. It felt like this was a tribute to her early years, her early friends, and I wondered if as her short term memory faded if the past was more real.

She's a famous modern British writer, and this is the first book I've read by her. Full of myths, philosophy, and deep thinking, even with the time issue, it was a good read.

I'm sure I'll be looking for more of her writing in the future!

The book's language and setting initially made me question its authenticity. However, as I delved deeper, I began to appreciate its unique charm.

The absence of modern conveniences added to the sense of a bygone era, yet the themes and ideas explored were still relevant.

Despite its age, the book managed to engage and challenge me, making me think about life, relationships, and the human condition.

I'm excited to explore more of Murdoch's works and see what other literary treasures she has to offer.

Now I find myself completely covered in wounds. Every part of me seems to ache and bleed. But perhaps, even in this state of pain and brokenness, I am deceiving myself. Maybe I am not as wounded as I think. Maybe, in reality, I am all selfishness and all ingratitude.

I look within myself and wonder if my perception of being so hurt is just a guise for my own flaws. Do I focus on my wounds to avoid facing the truth about my character? Am I using my pain as an excuse to be self-centered and unappreciative of the good that still exists in my life?

These questions haunt me as I try to make sense of my current state. I am left to grapple with the possibility that I am not the victim I believe myself to be, but rather the culprit of my own misfortunes. It is a harsh realization, but perhaps it is one that I need to face in order to truly heal and grow.

An unforgettable book by a brilliant author. But how to describe it? I can't do better than begin with this from another Goodreads reviewer:

"Clement is in love with Louise. Louise's husband is dead. Everyone thinks Moy is in love with Clement, but she is in love with Harvey. Harvey thinks he's in love with one sister, but he's actually in love with another sister. One sister is in love with Lucas. Lucas is Clement's brother. Lucas tried to kill Clement. But he actually killed Peter Mir. Only, Peter Mir isn't dead! Peter Mir is our beloved Green Knight, beheaded but still among the living. Who is Sir Gawain? Was there ever really a Gawain?"

This book has all the trappings and "feel" of a medieval visit to faerie-land, but is set in something resembling 1990's London. Here, a private house called "Clifton" stands in for an enchanted castle. Three princesses live there. They have very Greek names - Alethea, Sophia, and Moira - but they hate their names and so call themselves Aleph, Sefton, and Moy. Visitors come and go, falling under each other's spells. There is also a preternaturally wise dog named Anax, which is the Greek word used in the Iliad to describe Agamemenon. Each sister is eccentric in her own way, as is every other character in the book.

Magic, fate, and other-worldly significance are everywhere. However, they can easily be discounted by the literal-minded reader as mild insanity, coincidence, and over-thinking. The novel is loosely based on the medieval poem Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, but it also has touches of Cain and Abel, much classical mythology (there is even an attack on a young virgin by a swan), and the Holy Spirit (or at least an angelic presence) often seems to be hovering nearby. It has a happy conclusion reminiscent of a Shakespearian comedy, where no character, however minor, is safe from matrimony.

It got a little repetitious for my taste, as characters had multiple struggles to understand each other's motivations. But nevertheless, it was an unforgettable experience. When disaster seems to strike (as it does several times in the course of the book), you feel that something fully solid and real is in danger of toppling into ruin. It's truly an amazing read.

I am truly in awe of this remarkable book. It is a literary masterpiece that defies simple explanation. Every page is filled with profound insights, captivating stories, and beautiful language. I don't think any words can fully capture the essence and significance of this book. It has touched my heart and soul in ways that I never thought possible.

The author's writing style is both engaging and thought-provoking. They have the ability to bring the characters and settings to life, making the reader feel as if they are a part of the story. The themes explored in the book are universal and relevant to our lives today. It makes us question our beliefs, values, and actions.

This book is not just a collection of words on a page. It is a work of art that has the power to change lives. I highly recommend it to anyone who is looking for a meaningful and inspiring read. It will leave you with a sense of wonder and a newfound appreciation for the written word.