I gave this one star because I simply didn't like it.

Reading this book was far from a pleasurable experience. It was filled with so much narcissism and despair that it left me feeling rather drained.

By the end, I felt like I needed a long, hot bath to wash away all the negative emotions that had been stirred up.

The constant focus on the self and the rather gloomy tone made it a difficult read.

It was as if the author was wallowing in their own self-pity and expecting the reader to do the same.

Even the mention of beans on toast seemed out of place and added to the overall sense of disarray.

I'm disappointed that I wasted my time on this book and would not recommend it to anyone looking for an enjoyable read.

Of all the animals that grace the pages of Iris Murdoch's novels, such as ducks, snakes, fish, reindeer, gulls, owls, and spiders, dogs hold a truly special place.

It is their remarkable ability to simply be-in-the-world as themselves that sets them apart, especially when compared to Murdoch's human characters who often find themselves alienated from their true selves.

For instance, in the vivid description, "Excited dogs with sensitive spotted noses gambolled upon the glaringly green grass, mad with canine joys. Large and small beasts raced and circled in an ecstasy of motion, stopping abruptly to perform those intimate free-masonical ceremonies whereby alsatians, mastiffs, terriers, chihuahuas, and pekinese all somehow recognise each other as dogs." (178)

In "A Word Child," the greatest compliment paid to dogs comes from a minor character, Arthur, during a discussion about Peter Pan. Arthur contends that Peter is a "spirit gone wrong" and that the Darling family is the only "real thing." Regarding the dog Nana, he argues that, "There's nothing bogus about Nana. Nana doesn't talk..." Iris Murdoch clearly has her doubts about the power and authenticity of language. And Arthur further elaborates about Nana, saying that she is "the truth of the Darling home, its best part, its reality. Nana fears Peter, she's the only one who recognises Peter." (88)

This shows how dogs, in Murdoch's works, are not just mere animals but symbols of authenticity and a connection to a more genuine way of being.

Parts of the book I swallowed, while other parts I got lost.

The main character, Hilary, is a blotty mess. I was so annoyed by him, and the same goes for other characters.

It's a beautiful mess that Iris Murdoch created. I give it 3 stars because she managed to make me absolutely annoyed by the main personages.

However, despite my annoyance, there is something about this book that keeps pulling me back. Maybe it's the complex and flawed characters, or the unique writing style.

Even though I found Hilary and the others frustrating at times, I couldn't help but be intrigued by their actions and decisions.

The story unfolds in a way that keeps you guessing, and there are moments of unexpected beauty and depth.

Overall, it's a book that is both infuriating and captivating, and I'm glad I took the time to read it.

An amazing wordsmith, as always. The author's command of language is truly remarkable, making the text a pleasure to read. However, the plot did seem a bit stretched at times. There were moments when it felt like the story was being dragged out to fit a certain length or to add unnecessary details.

Despite this, the overall read was still engaging. The characters were well-developed and the setting was vividly described, which helped to draw the reader in and keep them interested. The author also did a good job of building suspense and keeping the reader guessing until the very end.

Overall, while the plot may not have been perfect, the author's writing skills more than made up for it. This is a book that I would recommend to anyone who enjoys a good read, especially those who appreciate beautiful language and well-developed characters.

One of my all-time favorite books is truly a masterpiece.

It is beautifully written, with a prose that flows like a gentle river, captivating the reader from the very first page.

The story is not only engaging but also filled with a unique blend of humor and sadness, making it a truly emotional rollercoaster.

The characters are complex and multi-dimensional, each with their own flaws and virtues, drawing us into their world and making us care deeply about their fates.

I was so enthralled by this book that I simply must re-read it to fully appreciate its beauty and depth.

It is a book that will stay with me forever and one that I would highly recommend to anyone looking for a truly unforgettable reading experience.

It took a really long time to get into this. At the beginning, it was a bit of a struggle to engage with the content. However, as I persisted and delved deeper, it gradually revealed its true nature.

By the end, it was truly classic Murdoch. The quality and style that is so characteristic of Murdoch became evident. There were those elements that one has come to expect from his work - the complexity, the depth, and the unique perspective.

It was as if I had finally cracked the code and was able to fully appreciate the masterpiece that was unfolding before me. The journey to get there had been arduous, but it was well worth it. In the end, I was left with a sense of admiration and a desire to explore more of Murdoch's works.

This is truly sublime. It is my absolute favorite novel penned by my most beloved author. I have this wish that at my (eventual, not at all imminent) funeral, people would read a passage from it. However, given my luck, they are likely to get all mixed up.

Instead of choosing Hilary's cosmic revelation that occurs during an unintentional acid trip, they might end up picking my other favorite part. That part is the janitor's weekly lecture. He goes on and on about how the rubbish chute keeps jamming up. It's because people who have no more sense than pigs keep shoving their kitchen waste down it without even bothering to wrap it in a bit of newspaper. (Those are just the highlights from his tirade, which is a remarkable feat of eloquent irritation. It builds up to a crescendo and then, presumably out of breath, he concludes with a question mark.)

This novel is filled with such wonderful and diverse moments that it truly is a masterpiece. I hope that others can also appreciate its beauty and depth as much as I do.

Skilful, elegant and bleak, this is indeed a beautiful piece of contemporary writing.

It is unbearably sad, yet also has its moments of hilarity. Murdoch masterfully captures the study of guilt, remorse and redemption, all told through the first person perspective of Hilary Burde. Hilary is a very repressed and unlikable character, but she possesses a brilliant mind.

Her language, fluency and descriptions are truly what carry the story forward. At times, the narrative can be slow and tedious, but it is well worth the effort.

The reader is drawn into Hilary's world, experiencing her inner turmoil and journey of self-discovery. Murdoch's writing is so evocative that it allows the reader to feel every emotion that Hilary experiences.

Overall, this is a remarkable piece of literature that showcases Murdoch's talent as a writer. It is a must-read for anyone who enjoys exploring the human psyche and the complex themes of guilt, remorse and redemption.

A darkly funny melodrama unfolds, delving into the lives of those who experience quiet desperation and find solace in drinking, all set against the backdrop of the Circle line. The story weaves together the tales of various individuals, each with their own hidden sorrows and unfulfilled dreams. As they navigate the mundane routine of daily life on the Circle line, their paths intersect in unexpected ways, leading to a series of comical yet poignant moments. The characters' struggles with alcohol become a coping mechanism, a way to numb the pain of their unfulfilled desires. Through their drunken escapades and misadventures, we catch a glimpse of the deeper emotions that lie beneath the surface. This darkly funny melodrama offers a unique and engaging look at the human condition, exploring themes of loneliness, longing, and the search for meaning in a seemingly ordinary world.

The price of admission is truly worth it just for the magnificent descriptions of London weather. I mean, it's simply captivating.

Fog had stealthily swept over London during the night. It wasn't one of those thick, impenetrable great fogs. Instead, it was something more akin to a sea mist. It was greyish in color, not the typical brown. And within its gauzy essence, it carried suspended cold globules of water. These delicate globules lightly covered the overcoats of the early Londoners, creating a spider's web of moisture. Then, as these Londoners entered the warmth of tube trains and offices, the said overcoats transformed into steamed puddings. The vividness of this description makes one feel as if they are right there in the midst of that foggy London morning, experiencing it all firsthand. It's a literary masterpiece that brings the weather to life in the most enchanting way.

I have a great desire to witness "A World Child" presented in a high-level illustrated form.

Unfortunately, it seems that the only thing I was able to discover was the minus sign. This is truly a disappointment as I had been looking forward to seeing the beautiful and engaging illustrations that could bring the story of "A World Child" to life.

I imagine the detailed pictures that could showcase the various cultures, experiences, and emotions of children from around the world. It would be a visual treat and a wonderful way to enhance the understanding and appreciation of the book.

Hopefully, in the future, someone will take on the task of creating high-level illustrations for "A World Child" so that I and others can enjoy this wonderful story in a more vivid and captivating way.

I am truly amazed that I can only give a Murdoch book 2 stars.

Normally, her writing has the power to salvage an imperfect story. However, in this particular instance, nothing can rescue the reader from the tedium that is Hilary Burde's narcissistic, self-pitying, and relentlessly boring self-examination.

He is fixated on a long-ago tragedy that was caused by his inability to view life from anyone else's perspective.

The story seems to drag on and on, with Burde's self-absorbed musings becoming tiresome and repetitive.

It's a disappointment, as Murdoch is usually a masterful storyteller.

But in this case, the flaws in the character and the story itself are just too overwhelming to overcome.

Perhaps if Burde had been able to step outside of himself and see the world through different eyes, the story might have been more engaging and less of a chore to read.

As it stands, it's a book that I struggled to get through and one that I'm unlikely to recommend to others.