This book is truly filled with an insane amount of drama.

If you have a penchant for stories that revolve around a small, tightly-knit group of characters who embark on a bit of mischief and ultimately lead to a conclusion of death and depression, then this book might just be your cup of tea.

It did have several shocking moments that caught me completely off guard, and I must admit that there were also some great quotes within its pages.

However, all things considered, it was a real struggle for me to finish this book.

The overall tone and the nature of the events made it a rather heavy read, and at times, I found myself reluctant to continue.

Nonetheless, for those who enjoy this kind of intense and dark storytelling, it might offer a unique and engaging experience.

But for me, it was a bit too much to handle.

Perhaps others will have a different perspective and find more value in this book than I did.

Only time will tell.

Iris Murdoch is truly one of my all-time favorite authors. Reading her novel A Fairly Honourable Defeat once again reminded me of the many reasons why I hold her in such high regard.

I have been fortunate enough to read a significant number of her works, and as a result, her writing style feels like a comforting老朋友. However, what truly impresses me is that despite this familiarity, the plot of A Fairly Honourable Defeat was refreshingly original and captivating. I found myself completely engrossed in the story, unable to put the book down.

One of the aspects I love most about Murdoch's writing is her ability to create delightfully memorable characters. In this particular novel, her interest in contemporary life, which I had not previously noticed in her other works, added an extra layer of depth to the characterizations. I was particularly drawn to the way she explored the relationship between Simon and Axel.

Furthermore, Murdoch's attention to detail is truly remarkable. She takes seemingly ordinary activities such as eating and swimming and treats them with the same level of seriousness that I do.

In conclusion, I not only love the way Iris Murdoch writes but also the rich and immersive worlds she creates with her words. A Fairly Honourable Defeat is a book that allows you to lose yourself completely and emerge from the experience feeling enriched and enlightened.

This novel truly brings to mind one of Shakespeare's "problem plays". Just like all the Murdoch novels I have read, and perhaps even more so in this case, there is a distinct ambiguity in the tone. It leaves us wondering whether we are reading a comedy or a tragedy.

Here, in fact, the central plot bears a remarkable resemblance to that of a Shakespearean play. The dapper villain, Julian King, is strikingly similar to Iago. I was deeply unsettled and haunted by his malicious mischief-making and the ease with which he shattered the loving relationships around him.

It is indeed a complex and thought-provoking novel. Additionally, Murdoch presents a lovely depiction of a gay relationship, which I imagine must be one of the first of its kind in a mainstream novel. This aspect adds another layer of depth and significance to the story, making it all the more engaging and worthy of exploration.

Overall, this novel showcases Murdoch's remarkable talent for creating rich and multi-faceted narratives that keep the reader hooked from beginning to end.

This book is truly a remarkable piece of work.

It is darkly distressing, yet at the same time, it is brilliant. It combines elements of A Midsummer Night’s Dream and the fall of man, creating a unique and thought-provoking narrative.

The book is a long experiment that delves into the effects of manipulation on the human psyche. It explores how easily our minds can be influenced and how this can lead to profound changes in our behavior and perception.

One read is simply not enough to fully understand and appreciate everything that this book has to offer. It requires multiple readings and careful consideration to truly grasp the depth and complexity of its themes.

Overall, this book is a must-read for anyone interested in exploring the darker aspects of the human condition and the power of manipulation. It is a work that will stay with you long after you have finished reading it.

It's all well and good philosophizing about morals. We can sit around and discuss the ideals and principles that should govern our behavior. But what really happens when high-minded individuals are suddenly thrust into situations where they have to make tricky moral decisions?

This question has been on my mind as I recently delved into the'suburban mum' genre. To be honest, it's the deepest I've ever gone into this particular type of literature. When you initially step back and look at it objectively, it all seems so unbelievable. The stories, the characters, the situations - they almost feel like a far-fetched fantasy.

And yet, as I started reading at top speed, something strange happened. I found myself helplessly sucked into all the drama. The emotions, the conflicts, the moral dilemmas - they all became so real to me. It was as if I was living through the experiences of the characters, grappling with the same difficult decisions.

It made me realize that while moral philosophy is important, it's in the real-world application that things get truly complicated. When faced with actual choices that have consequences, our high-minded ideals may not always be so easy to uphold.

I read Iris Murdoch, and it makes me wonder why I have ever bothered to read anything else. Her works are filled with brilliant characters and fabulous set pieces that seem to come alive on the page. In fact, I often think that her stories should be turned into operas, as they have all the elements of a great drama.

Although the dialogue, philosophy, and plot can sometimes be a bit clunky, everything is forgiven because of the sheer drama and the charming characters. I've come to the conclusion that with Iris Murdoch, I know I'm going to love it when certain conditions are met. Firstly, if the story is set in London, which adds a certain charm and familiarity. Secondly, if I have to write my own list of characters inside the front cover to keep track of everyone, it shows that the story is complex and engaging.

The quotes from her books are also quite memorable. For example, "Your letters weren't terribly informative, actually! They moved from the curt to the enigmatic to the frantic." This shows the author's ability to capture the nuances of human communication. Another quote, "And take eating, if you're lucky enough to do any. Stuffing pieces of dead animals into a hole in your face. Then munch, munch, munch. If there's anybody watching they must be dying of laughter." This is a humorous and thought-provoking observation on the act of eating.

Overall, Iris Murdoch's works are a joy to read, and I can't wait to explore more of her books.

Comedy, or perhaps more accurately, tragicomedy of errors, this work is characterized by a very fast pace and excellent writing.

For quite some time now, I have wanted to select something from Iris. This desire was particularly strengthened after seeing the movie about the last years of her life, starring Kate Winslet and Judi Dench.

Finally, I managed to do so, and the first encounter with the writing of Iris was an unforgettable experience. The plot is rather complex, yet also has a tabloid-like quality, with different characters having feelings for others that are often unrequited.

The dialogues are extremely vivid, and at times, I had the impression that this novel was written with theatre adaptations in mind, as everything comes to life so naturally on the pages of this book.

It is a novel that surely makes the reader reflect on the fragility of human relationships and shows us that every day we should cherish what we have, as things can take an unexpected turn at any moment.

This work not only entertains but also provokes deep thoughts about the nature of our connections with others.

I first read this book during my graduate school days in the 70's. Over the years, I have re-read it several times. It might or might not be among the very best books I have ever read. However, in certain aspects, it is perhaps the most impactful.

For many years, it remained the only Murdoch book I had perused. But within the past five years, I have delved into others, which has transformed my reading experience this time around. I still felt the eerie dread regarding what the characters were about to encounter next. Additionally, I was bombarded with Murdoch's philosophy, much in the same way as when I read Ayn Rand's Atlas Shrugged.

This newfound awareness did not dampen my interest in this novel or Murdoch's writing. Instead, it made me ponder how prominent her voice and personality are within the book. The thought of her cynicism and contempt for people sends shivers down my spine. Yet, it also intrigues me that aside from the terrifying, amoral personalities she crafts, there is also a seeker and a hopeful belief that "love conquers all."

I haven't determined whether it would have been captivating or terrifying to sit down for dinner with Iris Murdoch at the height of her career. Nevertheless, I am certain that it would have been a memorable experience.

My experience with my second Murdoch was remarkably similar to what I had envisioned. It was a rather positive, enjoyable, interesting, and thought-provoking read, albeit a bit lengthy. However, it wasn't long in the sense that certain parts seemed overwritten or that I felt it could have been shorter overall. This is because whenever I delved into it, it was always a pleasure. The writing flowed beautifully, and every part seemed to fit seamlessly. I think it felt a little long perhaps because during my first week of reading, I was exhausted from work and thus didn't have the required readerly energy, reading only a small number of pages each night. Or maybe it truly is long and could potentially be trimmed down. Who the hell knows! I'm always inclined to think that long things can be made shorter.

Anyway, set in London, "A Fairly Honourable Defeat" presents a sizeable cast of self-satisfied characters whose comfortable domestic lives are disrupted by the arrival of the sly and gleefully menacing Julius King. He decides to test the strength of their relationships and pretensions. The plotting is excellent, the writing progresses at a brisk pace, it has great narrative drive, and is filled with stimulating ideas. Essentially, it is a novel of ideas. Murdoch is a confident writer, both intelligent and entertaining, and this was a strange and wild journey.

Quote: ‘He never mixed into his behaviour that hazy little bit of falsehood which most people find necessary for the general easing of social intercourse.’ Aren't you aware of the hazy little falsehoods in people's, and your own, behavior? And not just in behavior, but on a more serious level in your morality and convictions about yourself and life as well? I know I am, and it disturbs me. Authors in their fiction attempt to cut through or sort out this mess, or at least try to examine it.

Murdoch is undertaking that task in this novel. The effect is somewhat painful. She reveals how fragile relationships can be, how easily they can change, and how capable we are of self-deception. And, perhaps most alarmingly, how thin the structures are that uphold our reality and conceal what lies beneath.

This was my very first attempt at reading Iris Murdoch, and I completely adored every single second of it!

The book, although nearly 500 pages long, has a remarkably quick pace. There is not a single ounce of filler in it, so throughout the entire reading process, you don't feel the length of the book at all. This is especially enhanced by the short chapters that are sprinkled here and there.

This is a character-driven book, and it is actually quite philosophical. So, if you're not interested in the examination of morals or in deeply understanding the human psyche, perhaps this book isn't for you. It also has a foundation in Shakespeare, specifically "A Midsummer Night's Dream", and there are numerous references to acting and playing parts, which ties back to the slight feel of a play that this book has.

Regarding the characters, while I understand that Julius King, the villain in the story, is supposed to be the devil incarnate, in my opinion, he was actually quite likable. One of the other characters, Morgan, is the one that really pissed me off and seemed to be the worst of the bunch. All the other characters were flawed and fun to read about, just like the two aforementioned. Murdoch created great backgrounds for all these characters. She really brought them to life in a fantastic way, even assigning them birthdays and zodiac signs, which held up when examining everyone's moves and motives.

The ending was a bit predictable as there were not just one, but at least four moments that carried a ton of foreshadowing. However, that didn't take away from the shock since, once again, everything was fast-paced.

All in all, I think the book was very well written, especially the characters. The story definitely was a sign of the times, and I don't believe it would hold up just as well in this day and age. I highly recommend it to anyone who would love to read about an egotistical maniac playing with his "friends" as if they were all puppets on strings.

The mention of Susan Howatch’s Glittering Images brought to mind the exploration of the perils associated with interfering in someone’s self-image.

This aspect is vividly portrayed in the story. The villain in the piece truly had me on the edge of my seat on several occasions. His meanness was simply overwhelming, leaving a lasting impression.

I find Murdoch’s character studies to be continuously enthralling. She has a remarkable ability to create complex and multi-dimensional characters that draw the reader in and keep them engaged throughout the narrative.

Her exploration of the human psyche and the various factors that can influence a person’s self-perception is both thought-provoking and captivating. It makes one wonder about the consequences of our actions and how they can impact others’ sense of self.

Overall, the connection to Howatch’s work and the examination of the theme of self-image in Murdoch’s writing add depth and richness to the literary experience.

Just wonderful.

It truly blew me away.

The experience was an intense thrill that left me completely captivated.

I can't remember enjoying anything more than this in a long time.

This whole encounter reminds me of just how much I can love a good book.

It has a philosophical depth that makes me think deeply about life and its meaning.

Moreover, it also delves into the psychological aspects, exploring the human mind and emotions.

"Vanity of vanities. All is vanity." This profound statement from the book keeps echoing in my mind, making me reflect on the fleeting nature of worldly pleasures and the importance of seeking something more substantial.

Overall, this has been an unforgettable experience that has reignited my passion for reading and exploring the deeper recesses of the human spirit.