I don't know what to make of this yet. However, it is excellently written.

The philosophical touches in the text add a layer of depth and complexity that is truly captivating. The eerie atmosphere created throughout the story keeps the reader on the edge of their seat, eager to uncover what lies ahead.

As always with Murdoch, I find myself finishing the last page of the book and being unable to stop thinking about the themes, the symbols, and the big questions she raises.

Her writing has a way of making you reflect on life, morality, and the human condition. It forces you to confront your own beliefs and values and consider different perspectives.

The story lingers in your mind long after you have put the book down, leaving you with a sense of wonder and a desire to explore the ideas further.

Overall, this is a remarkable piece of writing that showcases Murdoch's talent and ability to engage and inspire her readers.

I ended up in the Iris Murdoch section of the library quite by accident. Her name was so familiar to me, yet I couldn't recall much about her. So, I decided to give one of her books a try. I chose The Unicorn as it was small enough to carry on the train and the synopsis on the inside cover sounded interesting: "A London girl, hired as a companion and tutor, attempts to rescue her mistress who is kept a virtual prisoner by her guardians in a castle on the wild Celtic coast."

The story starts with Marian Taylor's arrival at the wild Celtic coast. She meets the man who placed the ad for a governess. Soon, she realizes (after already accepting the position) that they wanted a companion for Mrs. Hannah Crean-Smith, a woman of about her own age. As Marian gets to know the castle and its strange inhabitants, she discovers that Mrs. Crean-Smith is both mistress and prisoner of the house. The other inhabitants, including Marian, are meant to be her jailers, employed by her distant and hateful husband in New York. At first, Marian is angry about this imprisonment and plans to set Hannah free. But she soon finds out that things are much more complicated. Hannah has accepted and embraced her captivity as a spiritual test and won't leave willingly. Moreover, Hannah has become a spiritual icon to those around her, and Marian too is captivated by her intense spirituality, wondering if Hannah is right to suffer so nobly.

While reading, I had mixed feelings about the story and writing. The characters are complex and the story is compelling, raising many interesting questions about freedom and suffering. However, Murdoch can be heavy-handed when she gets into philosophical discussions, especially about the existence of God, which happen frequently. These discussions disrupt the pace and seem abrupt. Overall, I'm glad I found this book and will give Iris Murdoch another chance. But I'm not sure what to think of The Unicorn. Without the digressions, it would be a four or five-star book. As it is, it's hard to say if I'd recommend it. With reservations, I'll give it four stars.

Characters often misinterpret their intense interest in her as love. They are completely charmed by ‘the beautiful imprisoned creature’, just as the reader is supposed to be.

However, I wasn't.

The ‘unicorn’ representative is quite laid-back. It seems like she is content in her house. We should just leave her alone. It's not our responsibility to take her out of her supposed prison. And if she doesn't feel restricted within it and doesn't even have the desire to leave, is it really a prison?

For example, Exhibit A states: ’She felt above all, as a sort of categorical imperative, the desire to set Hannah free, to smash up all her eerie magical surroundings, to let the fresh air in at last; even if the result should be some dreadful suffering.’

Do you see what I mean? I don't know, I just had the impression that everyone had this whole saviour complex going on, which I really couldn't get behind. Although the story was interesting overall and I really like Murdoch's writing style, but the whole ‘chivalric hero’ thing was just a little bit ridiculous.

Oh, and why is everyone so infatuated with each other? It's almost incestuous. Yet, with all this passion, there is such a lack of true love. The ending really shows that. Overall, it felt a bit like a revenge tragedy. I half expected an arras to suddenly appear.

Is this book actually good? I don’t know.

Could I tell you what I make of all of it? No I can’t.

Did Ms. Murdoch suck me in anyway? She did.

You see, when I first picked up this book, I was skeptical. I had no idea what to expect. But as I started reading, something strange happened. Ms. Murdoch’s words seemed to have a magical charm.

Despite not being able to fully understand or analyze every aspect of the story, I found myself completely engrossed. I couldn’t put the book down.

Maybe it’s her unique writing style, or perhaps it’s the way she weaves the plot and develops the characters. Whatever it is, it has managed to draw me in and keep me hooked.

I’m still not sure if this book is objectively “good” in the traditional sense. But for me, it has definitely made an impact. It has taken me on a journey and made me feel emotions that I wasn’t expecting.

So, even though I can’t provide a detailed and comprehensive review, I can say that Ms. Murdoch has succeeded in captivating my attention and making me want to know more.

Whether this book will have the same effect on others, I can’t say. But for me, it has been an interesting and enjoyable read.

Subtle, unsettling and mesmerizing, this book truly stands out.

It delicately treads a fine line between despondent, materialistic nihilism and religiously-hued resignation of heart and mind.

To describe it more precisely, the exquisitely crafted characters walk among these intricate lines.

Even the narrative itself echoes the message of the story with its relentlessly repetitive and gloomy nature, as if shouting "nothing can change, we will be like this, cursed forever".

This book is a force of its own, captivating readers with its unique blend of themes and atmosphere.

It makes us question our beliefs, our values, and our place in the world.

It is a thought-provoking and engaging read that will stay with you long after you have turned the last page.

Whether you are a fan of literary fiction or simply looking for a book that will challenge your perspective, this one is definitely worth checking out.

My theory is that anyone who reads this novel without first seeing the name of the author would immediately recognize just how bad it is.

Did anyone truly gain anything from this book regarding power, guilt, or captivity? This book not only failed in capturing the truth about any of these subjects but also in presenting convincing character studies. Marian is a mere shell, and although Effingham is more complex, the author fails to place him in a context where his character can be thoroughly examined.

The second half of the book devolves into a ridiculous jumble where characters pair off haphazardly, declare love without rhyme or reason, and act inconsistently, supposedly under the "spell" of Hannah and Gaze.

Motivations remain unexplored, and the characters continue to be the caricatures they were from the very start. If you read reviews of this novel, you will notice the word "philosophical" being liberally applied. However, a few conversations about Hannah as an object or a person, as one worshipped or loved, do not make a philosophical novel.

We are inclined to call this novel philosophical not because it sheds light on the nature of life, love, existence, guilt, or any of the subjects that concern us but because it seems to be discussing something that sounds important. Since it is written by a famous author and has received favorable reviews from critics, it is assumed to be wonderful and philosophical.

The truth is that it is just poorly conceived and clumsily put together. Any high school student could tell you that.

If this wasn't written by a popular and well-established writer, it would have never been published.

I increasingly feel that reading books in this country is like any other form of consumerism. The bigger the name, the more satisfying it is supposed to be. So when it turns out to be a huge disappointment, everyone is afraid to speak up for fear of being thought a fool.

Sorry for the ranting.

Go here for a less biased and very accurate review of the novel. http://www.btinternet.com/~edandmill/...

This book commenced in a manner similar to a Victorian novel. A young woman embarks on a journey to the countryside to assume the role of a governess.

However, the situation turns out to be vastly different from what she had anticipated. I encountered the identical issue that I always have with Iris Murdoch novels. Her writing, the setting of scenes, and the characterization are truly excellent. Nevertheless, her plots consistently appear to be so implausible and rather filled with farce that I gradually lose interest.

Perhaps I am simply failing to "grasp" something. It could be that there are deeper layers or subtleties within the plots that I am not discerning. Maybe with a more in-depth analysis or a different perspective, I would be able to appreciate the plots better and not be so quick to dismiss them as unbelievable.

Nonetheless, for now, the lack of believability in the plots detracts from my overall enjoyment of the novel.

I have always thought that the content of the minds of "island" peoples (by which I now mean "advanced" nations like the Japanese and the British) is very different from that of the inhabitants of the continent. I have no way to confirm my theory except through feelings and scattered impressions, but I become more and more convinced of it.

Take, for example, the novel "The Unicorn" by my beloved Iris Murdoch. It seems to me that only a person who has lived on an island all his life, which is in essence a kind of prison without clearly defined guards, can penetrate so deeply into the psychology of a woman who voluntarily-involuntarily does not leave the territory of her castle. Murdoch so vividly digs out the tiniest nuances of the inner world (I really want to say "cockroaches in the head") of Anne Cavidge-Smith, the main martyr, prisoner and jailer, and her numerous jailers and liberators, that it begins to seem as if you yourself are going crazy. Excuse me, but it's so tempting to print: "What do they have to do?"

The leitmotif of the novel is "violence, the house that has become a prison, wine". But this "fantasy on the theme of spiritual life" left me indifferent. The book is worthy, you can feel it from the first pages, but it's not for me. I was not touched by the endless torments, experiences that, it seems to me, are on an empty spot. The most important thing is that for me personally, the main question remained unanswered - WHY do they act like this? I could not dig out the reasons for the jumps from one object of love to another, I could not see why everyone unanimously considered themselves guilty. And without this, agree, any, even the most interesting novel, becomes dull.

"The Unicorn" was created in 1963 and describes modernity, but you constantly have to remind yourself of this, because it would be much more logical to place the heroes in some 17th or 18th century, in the era of prejudices and... umm... cockroaches in the head.

But if you are a lover of gothic, philosophy and ambiguity, then go ahead!

6 / 10

Wow. Just wow.

I am short of breath. It is truly astonishing that this book is not more widely known, or that there is not a single movie or even an audiobook based on it. This is an absolute masterpiece of genius...it encompasses everything I could have ever hoped for in a novel.

There are the English sea and thunder, the storms and rain like those in Jane Eyre, the fog and bog, and people with different yet comparable levels of ego, love, hate, and indifference, along with a touch of music.

Don't for a moment think that I didn't listen to Bach Harpsichords as I was approaching the end.

This was a read that will leave an indelible mark on my soul for a very long time.

It was a journey through a world filled with vivid imagery and complex emotions, one that I will not soon forget.

The author's writing is so captivating that it draws you in from the very first page and keeps you hooked until the very end.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a good story, beautifully told.

It is a hidden gem that deserves to be discovered and cherished by more readers.

This book is truly and perfectly named after the Unicorn - a mythical creature that symbolizes profound spiritual and philosophical theories.

It is a concept that makes absolute sense when you experience it on an intuitive level, but seems almost too surreal to put into words when you attempt to discuss it.

It is a real treat for lovers of classic Gothic/horror literature, although it is not a book that will appeal to everyone.

The characters in the story are disturbing, and some of them are rather confused. Nevertheless, they manage to leave a lasting mark by the end.

The central character, Hanna, appears to be a misunderstood angel. However, at certain points in the story, she compels the readers to question her actions.

The relationships in the book are beyond the limits of complexity. Nevertheless, the last chapter manages to sort out the complicated situations in a rather tragic way.

This was my very first Iris Murdoch novel, and I am extremely glad that I came across this book. It has opened my eyes to a new world of literature and has left a deep impression on me.

I look forward to reading more of her works in the future and exploring the unique and captivating worlds that she creates.

I am a person who is neurotically honest. I simply have to speak my mind straight. I \\n  yearned\\n to enjoy this particular book by Iris Murdoch to the fullest. Why? Because several of my friends had raved about how excellent it was. At first, I couldn't obtain it, but finally, I managed to get my hands on it! My expectations were sky-high! As I delved into the reading, I spent my time attempting to convince myself that I truly liked it…….Then, I reached the end, and I had to face the hard fact that I found it merely mediocre. So, I asked myself, “Why, and what's happening here?!

First of all, I am growing weary of the repetitiveness in Murdoch's books. She always has a plethora of characters. The relationships are always on the strange side. There is always one or two homosexual characters. And the denouement is always explosive. Her books have common themes, situations, and locales that recur time and again.

Secondly, the characters in this story fall in love far too easily and with numerous people. Personally, I struggle to relate to this. Love seems to mean nothing to these characters! It comes and goes in the blink of an eye.

Thirdly, I don't understand the significance of the title or what the unicorn symbolizes. Some hints are given, but not enough to be certain.

The story revolves around the employment of a woman hired as a teacher of French and Italian but actually serving simply as a woman's companion. The setting is an isolated house on the west coast of Ireland. One quickly realizes that the entire staff is in fact acting as the woman's “jailkeepers”! The question that naturally arises is, of course, what's going on?!

OK, Murdoch does know how to unnerve a person. At first, I heard the words and knew I was supposed to be scared, but I wasn't. As strange things start to occur, the whole atmosphere becomes creepy, eerie, and menacing. I began to feel this in my body and bones, but then the explosive ending that I had anticipated happened, and it was just way too much. I think you can overdo the frightening aspect. It's best to keep it within reasonable bounds. Or perhaps I think this simply because I am such a darn realist! One section that I did like is where a man is walking in circles, lost, on a bog. He starts to sink deeper and deeper. This is something I can relate to. It happened to me once! I wonder if it's my own memories that make this creepy, or is it Murdoch's writing? I'm not sure.

Maud Backéus reads the audiobook that I listened to. It was in Swedish. It was good, but not outstanding. What she says is quite clear, at least most of the time. Three stars for the narration.

What did this book offer me? Not a great deal really. I wanted to like it more than I actually did. That's the honest truth. One doesn't have to like every book written by a good author. OK, my dear friends, give me a nudge for not liking this as much as you do.

Oh lord, the stunner that Murdoch is! There is simply no comparison. She is the perfect blend of what one seeks from a philosopher and a novelist.

While Byatt can be a little overbearing with her scholarly inclinations in her fiction, Murdoch is sparse and yet a far more sharp writer. She knows precisely where to let her scholarly side show and when to simply focus on the story and her characters.

This 1963-book had me completely obsessed. With the heavy rain and thunderstorms engulfing Kolkata, this book seemed like the most suitable accompaniment. Set in a far-off town by the sea where rains lash through the trees and the houses, this novel is a fascinating blend of gothic, fairy-tale, thriller, and literary fiction.

Marian, appointed as a governess at Gaze Castle, reaches there to find herself in the company of strange people who look dead and depressed. They drink whiskey all day and live away from any civilization save the siblings and their father over at Riders. Marian is scared and lost in this mythic setup where there is a prisoner, a termagant house-keeper, some gay men, and the resonance of a brutal tragedy haunting its inhabitants and the castle.

I just love Murdoch. Reading this, I simply wanted to acquire all her books and read them in one go, come what may. Her erudition is superb but what is even better is her ability to make her readers think through her characters. It's rare for writers to achieve that and difficult, I know.

The best part about this one was that the reader can feel that they know where the novel is going but Murdoch is already a step ahead. Like the characters, she knows how to play with the mind of her readers. I just loved this book and my love for Murdoch is now becoming a little maniacal, I must say. If you want to read a book to keep you entertained, read this!