“Time, like the sea, unties all knots. Judgments on people are never final, they emerge from summing up which at once suggest the need of reconsideration. Human arrangements are nothing but loose ends and hazy reckoning, whatever art may otherwise pretend to console us.” This profound quote sets the tone for the story of Charles Arrowby.

Charles, a sixty-something retired actor, playwright, and theatre director, has bought Shruff End, a home in a small isolated English coastal town. By an unusual coincidence, he encounters his first love, Hartley, who lives there with her husband, Ben. Charles claims to have carried a torch for Hartley for many years. He is writing a memoir detailing his numerous lovers, his jealousy, his search for perfection, and how he has often “stolen” women from others. The story quickly zeroes in on Hartley and Charles’ plan to win her back, repeating a pattern from his past. A few friends, his cousin, Hartley’s son, and a couple of former paramours show up at Shruff End, adding to the chaos.

I see this book as a tale of narcissism and self-deception. It becomes clear that Charles is a narcissist, though the term isn't explicitly used. He convinces himself he is still “in love” with Hartley, despite decades passing and not really knowing her anymore. Charles is the quintessential unreliable narrator. He presents his view of events, only to contradict himself pages later. He says he'll “try to be good” but seldom succeeds.

What intrigues me is that Charles seems to be trying to shape his life into a play, casting himself as the hero and Hartley as the unfortunate victim in need of rescue. Of course, real life doesn't usually conform to such artificial manipulations. And here, the best-laid plans are bound to (and do) go wrong.

I'm surprised at how much I liked this rather long and densely written book, filled with unlikable characters. Towards the end, the characters react in unexpected ways to major events, and I'm not sure if these reactions are meant to be real or just the unreliable narrator's interpretation.

I recommend it for the author's creative use of language and a convincing portrayal of a narcissist. It's probably a “love it or hate it” kind of book. I'm not sure how I overlooked reading Iris Murdoch until now. She was a prolific writer, and I plan to explore more of her work.

Murdoch's characters are far from being likable individuals. They are typically childish, selfish, obsessive, and just plain awful, making it extremely difficult to have any affection for them. However, this is precisely what makes her novels so engaging and enjoyable. She has an uncanny ability to entangle the reader in the web of their troubles, lies, betrayals, and tragedies, as well as their ambivalence and doubt. With each turn of the page, she manages to draw me in further.

Charles Arrowby, the protagonist in this book, is no exception. He is an egotist, and it's nearly impossible to feel any sympathy for him as his problems seem rather mundane. His fixation on his childhood sweetheart becomes a bit excessive at times, and it even appears to be leading the story astray. Nevertheless, Murdoch has a way of making it all work, compelling me to continue reading until the very end.

This book may not be my absolute favorite among hers, but Murdoch is such a remarkable novelist that I am determined to read every single one of her many wonderful works. As I ponder the words "Upon the demon-ridden pilgrimage of human life, what next I wonder", I truly do wonder what awaits in the pages of her other books.

Be careful what you wish for

“Jealousy is born with love, but doesn’t always die with love.”

Do you yearn for your first love - to spend just a moment together? What if your sighting was accidental, unexpected, and you were unprepared? Do you really love them still - or is it your youthful self you love? Is stalking a passive act, a safety-valve? Or does it forge the innocent past into a twisted vision of the future?

Maybe cousin James is right: “You’ve built a cage of needs and installed her in an empty space in the middle… using her image… as an exorcism.”

Image: The Gilded Cage of Female Oppression by Denise R Duarte (Source and details.)

\\n  “Drama must create a factitious spell-binding present moment and imprison the spectator in it.”\\n

My 13th Murdoch is her best-known and most lauded; it’s also the one I enjoyed the least. I was not spellbound by this “story of death and moral smash-up” that the narrator likens to Henry James’ The Wings of the Dove. There are many interesting and worthwhile ideas, big characters, and some lovely phrases, but overall, a ludicrous number of coincidences, convoluted machinations, and individual or group introspections were dragged out over too many pages. The final “Postscript” added little of worth. Even the title is twice as long as it needs to be!

Luna Punch by Alexander Jansson is a captivating read that takes the reader on a journey through the complex mind of the protagonist. The story begins with Charles Arrowby, a famous English actor, who decides to retire to an old house by the sea at the age of sixty. There, he plans to write his memoirs. However, his plans are disrupted when he meets his old love, Hartley, in the village. Hartley had run away from him forty years ago, and the encounter reawakens old passions.

The novel explores themes of love, memory, and regret. Charles's obsession with Hartley becomes all-consuming, and he begins to stalk her, much to her distress. The author does an excellent job of描绘 the psychological turmoil of both characters, and the reader is left wondering whether Charles's love is real or just a projection of his nostalgia for the past.

One of the strengths of the novel is Iris Murdoch's writing style. She delves deep into the thoughts and emotions of her characters, creating a rich and detailed portrait of their inner lives. The setting of the海边 house adds to the atmosphere of the novel, with its decaying grandeur and wild surroundings.

Overall, Luna Punch is a thought-provoking and engaging novel that will appeal to fans of literary fiction. It is a testament to Iris Murdoch's skill as a writer that she can create such complex and believable characters and draw the reader into their world.

Luna Punch By Alexander Jansson

First Impression:

As my GR friend Jean said, this is a weird book.

Why is it weird?

1. It is not a typical fiction. It attempts to bridge both fiction and biography. The novel starts with the main character's intention of writing a memoir. It progresses in this vein and suddenly the memoir takes a turn into fictional events, enclosing the reader. And at the end, when the fiction part seems to be ending, the memoir part resurfaces and serves as the conclusion. The writer aims to give the reader a taste of both fiction and reality.

2. It is a novel about philosophical questions. It bridges philosophy and fiction. What is the ultimate salvation? Is it complete detachment from all attachments? Interestingly, one of the main characters is a believer in Buddhist philosophy. If complete detachment is the sign of Nirvana, then where does love fit in? Can one stop loving others? If not, can loving others not be considered an attachment? On the other hand, if one succeeds in completely detaching oneself from even loving others, will that life on earth be equivalent to death? All these questions are raised in the novel. The philosophical musings can sometimes be tiring for the mind.

3. It is a novel about moral questions. It is a novel that explores the connection between morality and a happy life. Can morality and moral values determine one's happiness? The author seems to suggest, in a subtle way, that they can. Moral degradation can act like a serpent, tormenting you with its poisonous bites at the end of your life. What should one do? Try to perform simple acts of kindness. Try to transform the serpent monster into harmless sea-seals.

4. It is a deep analysis of the vices of jealousy and irrational obsession. Jealousy and its manifestations in life are thoroughly analyzed through the characters and the actions of the important characters. Similarly, the novel also makes clear the harmful effects that an obsession can have on a person and those around him.

5. Time is the great healer. Time makes us change our perspectives. Time helps us to see through our earlier foolish mistakes. Time makes us realize that we were simple fools, obsessed with wanton things or vanity. Only time can help us see everything clearly. But then, we have to go through the ordeal until time passes and brings us to the future peak from where the vision of the past can be seen with calming effects.

Love, love, love!!

This book is definitely a new favourite for me!

The atmosphere it creates is dark and eerie, which really draws you in from the very beginning.

What makes it even more special is that I could relate to the character on such a deep level.

It gives off those Rebecca vibes that I just can't get enough of.

The story is full of mystery and suspense, keeping me on the edge of my seat throughout.

The author's writing style is captivating, painting vivid pictures in my mind.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a good mystery with a touch of the supernatural.

It's a must-read for fans of the genre!

\\n  All our failures are ultimately failures in love.\\n Iris Murdoch

The Sea, the Sea is truly deep. It stretches far out and is profoundly deep.

Rather than attempting a comprehensive analysis of this psychologically complex 500-page novel with my unworthy efforts, I simply make a few initial observations.

Near the beginning, I had a hunch that it might be a romance. But no, it's more like a mystery revolving around mental health and well-being.

What exactly is love? How does the idea or thought of it, especially young love, change with the passage of time, considering our inclination to romanticize our youth?

The painful paradox of the ego, with its fanged sea serpent of 'jealousy,' blinds us to reason. This green monster robs us of patience and fills us with anger, all of which conspire to destroy the very love that our innate sexuality tells us to hold dear above all else.

The ways in which we deceive ourselves to sustain the fantasy, even to the verge of insanity, that another loves us despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary.

This novel prompts deep thoughts in the murky recesses of the mind. Some readers might be put off by the often long-winded nature of the first-person narrator. It seems that perhaps 50 pages could have been edited out.

I could explore the profundity of Iris Murdoch's insights on the lassitudes of damaged love, but such agony I cannot endure.

It's a definite 4.5 stars on the literary scale.

Sigur voi purta cartea aceasta cu mine peste tot!

”Tandrețe, încredere absolută, comunicare și adevăr: pe măsură ce îmbătrânești, aceste lucruri capătă din ce în ce mai multă importanță. Înțelegem că nu trebuie să irosim dragostea, pentru că e un lucru atât de rar. Nu am putea oare să ne iubim și să ne întâlnim, în sfârșit, în libertate, fără acea cumplită posesivitate, fără violență și teamă? Dragostea e cea care are adevărată importanță.

”Cât de diferită e fiecare moarte, și totuși ne mână pe aceleași meleaguri ale făpturii noastre lăuntrice. Acele meleaguri pe care poposim rar, și unde percepem limpede zădărnicia tuturor lucrurilor la care am râvnit atâta amar de vreme, și la care în curând vom râvni din nou. Într-un fel, moartea ne face să ne gândim la ceea ce e adevărat și important în viață. Ne face să apreciem ceea ce avem și să nu mai pierdem timpul cu lucrurile inutile.”

This is a work that is longer than the majority of Murdoch's novels, yet it is undoubtedly one of her finest creations.

As is frequently the case, Murdoch subjects the characters in this piece to rather peculiar plot twists and abrupt mood swings.

The story follows a retired actor who engages in various dalliances from his clifftop residence in Cornwall.

I would need to reread it in order to truly do it justice, but despite its length, it never once felt like a burdensome task to read.

It is a captivating and engaging work that draws the reader in and keeps them hooked until the very end.

The characters are well-developed and the plot is full of surprises, making it a must-read for fans of Murdoch's work.

Overall, this is a remarkable novel that showcases Murdoch's talent as a writer and her ability to create complex and interesting stories.

This is a truly brilliant book. However, for approximately two-thirds of the reading experience, the main character had me on the verge of screaming, and not just a little whisper, but loudly and repeatedly. It seemed that whenever he was in the company of or even thinking about any of the women in his life, my frustration would boil over.

His actions and decisions in those situations were often infuriating and made me question his judgment. I found myself constantly shaking my head and wondering why he couldn't see the obvious.

But despite my intense reaction to the main character, I still couldn't put the book down. There was something about the story that kept pulling me back in, making me eager to see how it would all unfold.

I'm not sure if I'll have more to say later. Maybe I'll have a change of heart as the story progresses, or maybe my initial impressions will remain. Only time will tell.

**The Sea, the Sea: A Captivating Novel by Iris Murdoch**

Iris Murdoch's "The Sea, the Sea" is a remarkable work that won the Booker Prize in 1978. As her 20th novel, it showcases her unique blend of philosophical depth and engaging storytelling. The author, an academic and professor of Philosophy at Oxford University, brings a distinct intellectual perspective to the narrative.

The novel is presented in the form of a journal, with the viewpoint character being Charles Arrowby, a famous actor and director. From the start, we see that Charles is a solitary, arrogant, and egotistical individual. He decides to retire to "Shruff End," a dilapidated house on a rocky promontory by the sea, much to the bewilderment of his theatre friends.
In his journal, Charles attempts to structure his life and create a memoir. However, he easily becomes distracted, even by the food he prepares. His rambles about his culinary activities reveal his faddish and eccentric nature. As the story progresses, Charles reports strange goings-on in the house, which he initially attributes to a poltergeist but later discovers to be the mischief of an old girlfriend.
The descriptions of the sea in the novel are some of the most captivating. The sea seems to have an organic, perhaps omniscient presence, symbolizing the emotions and relationships of the characters. Charles often turns to the sea when he is in mental turmoil, and its various moods reflect his own.
The arrival of Charles's acting friends disrupts his isolation and adds a new layer of complexity to the story. Their interactions and the revelations about Charles's past relationships show another side of his character. We learn that he has broken up marriages and treated women in a less than respectful way, despite his claims of a scrupulous attitude.
The introduction of Hartley, Charles's childhood love, further complicates matters. The coincidence of her appearance in the story is somewhat unbelievable, but it sets in motion a series of events that follow the pattern of a thriller. The relationships between the characters are filled with cruelty, jealousy, manipulation, and other dark emotions.
As the novel progresses, the reader becomes less aware of the journal format and is drawn into the unfolding events. The sea continues to be a powerful symbol, representing both the action and the emotional turmoil of the characters. The tragic events that occur add depth and poignancy to the story.
Overall, "The Sea, the Sea" is a novel that holds up well even after 36 years. It is not as dated as one might expect, thanks to its timeless themes and engaging characters. The philosophical and esoteric musings at the core of the book give it a depth and significance that is rare in modern literature. Whether read for its exploration of love, fate, and the supernatural or for its insights into human nature, this novel is well worth the read.

The best thing I've read this year, so far. I could write page after page, but I managed to fit a lot of what I wanted to say in The Books' Journal of April.

A former famous actor, director, and playwright decides to withdraw from the theatrical scene, settle in a remote seaside house without electricity, and write a novel based on his life. Will he succeed?

Undoubtedly, it is a work that a second and third reading allows the discovery of ideas that are not immediately perceptible in the first. However, this first reading is enough to realize that one has in hand an extremely well-written novel, a complex narrative of a story that is both tragicomic and in many ways entertaining, allowing the reader to enjoy it without systematically seeking to identify its hidden meanings. There is still a lot that can be said and written about this novel. In short, it is a deep psychological portrait presented with humor, mystery, excellent descriptions of landscapes, interesting characters, romantic adventures, and sad recipes for cooking. The new translation of the work into Greek by Athina Dimitriadou is fortunately.

This novel offers a unique reading experience that combines various elements to create a rich and engaging story. It takes the reader on a journey through the life of the protagonist, filled with both joy and sorrow. The author's writing style is captivating, making it easy for the reader to get lost in the pages of the book. Whether you are a fan of literary fiction or simply looking for an interesting read, this novel is definitely worth checking out.