Hilary Burde's life has been a series of hardships. He doesn't know his father, and his mother died young, leaving him orphaned. Raised by Aunt Bill, who favored his half-sister Crystal, he was soon packed off to an orphanage for his bad behavior. But a teacher, Mr. Osmand, showed an interest in him and introduced him to the world of words. Hilary's dedication to language led him to Oxford, where he met Anne, the woman of his dreams. However, she was married to his best friend Gunner, and Hilary's inability to restrain himself led to tragedy.

For most of the book, we follow Hilary as he wallows in poverty and self-loathing, working a low-level civil service job and keeping his sister Crystal in the web of his need. He has a girlfriend, Tommy, who he is constantly breaking up with, and a collection of friends who he carefully manages. But everything changes when Gunner arrives, out of the blue, to take a job in the same department as Hilary.

The story is filled with questions: Will history repeat itself? Will Crystal break free? Will there be a reconciliation with Gunner? And what will happen to Tommy? Iris Murdoch has created a complex and fascinating character in Hilary, and her handling of his story is both deft and engaging. Despite not liking Hilary or the other characters, I was hooked from start to finish. This is a must-read for fans of literary fiction.

So, what are you waiting for? Pick up this book and find out the answers to all these questions and more!

— AUZI, TE-A CĂUTAT O FATĂ DE culoare, absolut fantastică!

— Te-o fi căutat pe tine.

— Nici gând. M-am oferit eu, dar părea total neinteresată. Zicea că doreşte să-l vadă pe domnul Hilary Burde. Ăsta eram eu.

— Aha: Oricum, totul părea foarte improbabil. Şi a spus ce vrea de la mine?

— Nu. Apropo, toboganul crematoriului de gunoaie e din nou înfundat. Cel care mi se adresase era Christopher Cather, chiriaşul meu. Ne întâlniserăm întâmplător în stradă, eu întorcându-mă de la birou, el întorcându-se de la Dumnezeu ştie ce ocupaţie o fi având în timpul zilei. Acum eram amândoi în lift. Liftul în care nu încăpeau decât două persoane şi care urca greoi, gemând a neîncredere. Mai avea şi o oglindă lunguiaţă, menită să intensifice inspecţia reciprocă. La Christopher, însă, te uitai cu plăcere. Am coborât la etajul nostru, adică la patru, unde nările ne fură înţepate de o miasmă ce confirmă înfundarea toboganului. Domnul Pellow, un învăţător suspendat din învăţământ, se ivi în uşa apartamentului vecin, dar se retrase încet la vederea noastră. Era în căutarea unui partener de beţie. Eu şi Christopher ne-am făcut că nu-l vedem. Am intrat în apartamentul nostru. Am ridicat două scrisori care zăceau pe jos. Apoi ne-am despărţit, eu îndreptându-mă spre dormitorul meu şi Christopher spre al lui. I entered the room and turned on the light. In front of my eyes, the messy bed appeared, a pile of dirty underwear, and the dust covering the forgotten traces of my battle with humanity. I stuffed the dirty laundry under the sheet, then smoothed the covers on top, inhaling, without discomfort, the familiar stale smell.

I knew that I had added this book to my reading list because it had some connection to music. It might have been the inspiration for a band name or used as an album title - something of that nature. I had given up on trying to recall exactly what it was until I reached page 298, where I realized that a passage from this book was quoted in Wild Nothing's Paradise.

The passage goes: "Amo amas amat amamus amatis amant amavi amavisti amavit amavimus amavistis amaverunt amavero amaverus amaverit… Everything was love. Everything will be love. Everything has been love. Everything would be love. Everything would have been love. Ah, that was it, the truth at last."

Reading this book reminded me of reading Irvine Welsh's Filth. The main character, Hilary, is truly horrible and infuriating. He is sexist, racist, and violent. Despite my intense dislike for Hilary, the plot was so shocking that it compelled me to keep reading. After finishing the book, reading the introduction by Ray Monk was a great addition as it helped me gain an understanding of the philosophical aspect of the story.

Overall, this book was a unique and thought-provoking read that I would recommend to those who enjoy exploring complex characters and themes.

This is my fourth Murdoch novel.

And I have just come to the realization that her leading character frequently resembles a Carey Grant type, and the story is told from his perspective.

He is meant to be ordinary, yet in reality, he is handsome, sarcastic, and charismatic. However, he can be somewhat unlikeable due to his deficiency in humanity and kindness.

Her novels often have a tragic undertone, but they remain comic because of the witty conversations between the characters.

This particular novel focuses on a man burdened with guilt from a past relationship.

Although the events are tragic, it doesn't feel overly heavy because of the playful banter that is commonly found in her books... and, of course, the ever-present irony!

Her stories never grow old for me, so I have now embarked on her next one, which is actually a comedy titled Under the Net.

I am excited to see what new adventures and characters this novel will bring.

The content presented here is truly remarkable as it delves deeply into the exploration of relationships. It offers a fascinating perspective on how different individuals interact and form connections. However, it must be noted that a couple of the women in this context are extremely annoying. Their behavior and actions are beyond description, making it difficult to engage with them on a positive level. Despite this drawback, the overall exploration of relationships remains highly engaging and thought-provoking. It makes one wonder about the various dynamics at play and how they can impact the course of a relationship. Whether it's the annoyances or the more positive aspects, this exploration serves as a reminder of the complexity and diversity of human relationships.

The protagonist and narrator of this story, Hilary Burde, is a thoroughly unpleasant and completely self-absorbed character.

However, his agonized reflections and preoccupations are described with such intensity that they manage to draw the reader in and engage her to the extent that she almost sees the world as Hilary does. We enter his life and discover the act that both he and his nemesis, Gunnar Jopling, are obsessed with. The story develops around their renewed encounter several years after the event. While Hilary's academic career has ended and he has become a low-level civil servant, Jopling has prospered and returns to Hilary's life as the new head of his unit.

Other characters further highlight Hilary's self-absorption. It's hard to understand why women like Tommy, Anne, Kitty, and even his sister, Crystal, are infatuated with him. Hilary takes this for granted and treats both women and men horribly. His opinion of himself is so high that he even believes Laura Impiatt, the wife of a friend, is in love with him, despite her affections being elsewhere.

Iris Murdoch successfully delves into the nature of obsession, showing its devastating impact on both Hilary and Jopling. The scope for forgiveness is examined, and the difficulties of achieving it are successfully rendered. It is only the more simple Crystal who has the capacity to bring comfort, not the more intellectual characters. This is definitely a book that makes one think.

A plot that traverses a path from the tragic to the improbable and then to the somewhat absurd. There is a protagonist, Hilary Burde, who has spent half of his life wallowing in the depths of grief and guilt. Strangely, he seems to have no inclination or intention of learning from the past. And yet, there is a five-star review. Indeed.

The thing is, this work is incredibly well-written. Hilary Burde is so vividly and skillfully drawn that it is simply impossible not to develop a warmth towards him. Beneath all his faults and weaknesses, there lies a gruff charm. Characterisation is truly everything in this piece, and Burde is a triumph. His inability to come to terms with his past serves as a spotlight shining on all of us when we too fail to do so. As such, it is a powerful and thought-provoking piece.

Moreover, it is also a fine exercise in the English language, making it a joy to read. This was my first encounter with Murdoch's work, but it will most definitely not be my last. I am eager to explore more of her literary creations and be further captivated by her masterful storytelling and deft use of language.

Finally, read an Iris Murdoch book.

The reviews don't lie. They have accurately captured the essence and brilliance of her works.

I have nothing new to add, except that I concur wholeheartedly.

Her writing is a masterclass in storytelling, character development, and exploration of the human condition.

Each page is filled with profound insights and beautiful prose that draws the reader in and refuses to let go.

Whether it's her complex and flawed characters or the intricate plots that unfold, Murdoch's books are a delight to read.

They make you think, feel, and question your own beliefs and values.

If you haven't read an Iris Murdoch book yet, do yourself a favor and pick one up. You won't be disappointed.

Hilary Burde, the eponymous word child, had a distinct academic inclination in school. While languages were his forte, his proficiency lay not in the creative use of words but rather in understanding their intricate workings - the grammar, not the poetry. As an abused orphan, his aspiration was to secure a position at Oxford, which he accomplished. His plan was to bring his sister, Crystal, to live with him and be educated under his tutelage. However, an ill-fated love affair with a married woman led to a tragic outcome, leaving him stuck in a dead-end government job, with his sister supporting herself as a seamstress. He had a girlfriend, Tommy, whom he treated poorly, and a few friends who somehow tolerated him. It seemed as if he had found his niche, or rather, his rut, and would continue on this unremarkable path. That is, until the wronged husband of his ill-advised love affair arrived to work as a superior at the office where he was employed. How would he handle this new and potentially explosive situation? Would he finally do the right thing?

Burde is undeniably a thoroughly unlikable character. He is weak-willed, narcissistic, and expects the women in his life to simply revolve around him passively until he deems them useful. He lacks ambition and has long since abandoned his dreams. Essentially, he makes little to no contribution to the world. Nevertheless, Murdoch has managed to craft a novel that I simply could not put down. Admittedly, it was rather like witnessing a slow-motion car crash, with a morbid curiosity about how many others he would drag down with him this time.

Fortunately, the supporting cast members are more endearing than Burde - well, most of them anyway. His office mates are quite peculiar. All the supporting characters ultimately reveal themselves to have far more depth than Burde gives them credit for - they have lives, loves, and volitions that extend beyond their connection to him. Overall, it is a very good book, provided you can stomach a main character who is, in essence, a d**s***.

I have an unwavering love for Iris Murdoch's dark novels.

Her works are filled with tortured inner monologues that truly capture the essence of the human psyche.

The ardent souls within her stories are constantly being tossed about by the cruel hands of fate.

This particular novel began a little sluggishly, but as it gained momentum, I found myself eagerly anticipating each opportunity to pick it up again.

Hilary, the protagonist, harbors a horrid secret from his past that has completely shattered his young life.

Yet, when presented with the chance to repeat that very same mistake, he willingly steps into the abyss.

What I truly adore about this novel is the unique blend of humor and excruciating irony that Murdoch expertly weaves throughout the narrative.

It adds a layer of depth and complexity that keeps the reader engaged from beginning to end.

Overall, it is another masterpiece from the brilliant mind of Iris Murdoch.

Several people have told me that given my interest in British literature, I simply MUST read Iris Murdoch. So, I chose this particular novel. The reason being that I had once come across a critical article that mentioned this very title. As I delved into the novel, I was immediately struck by the vivid image of London in the 1970s that it presented. This strong portrayal truly enhanced my enjoyment of the book. However, I was rather disappointed by one aspect. The author seemed to make very little connection between Hilary's mere grammatical penchant for and understanding of languages, which is what gives the novel its title, and his failings as a character. We are initially told that this ability was responsible for lifting Hilary and his sister Crystal out of poverty. But then, curiously, we hear precious little more about it in the remainder of the novel. It felt as if this potentially interesting aspect was left somewhat underdeveloped.

Oops, I just said that "The Black Prince" might be my favorite Murdoch novel. However, upon further reflection, considering that I've re-read "The Word Child" more than twice, it may actually indicate my true preference.

"The Word Child" is a captivating and thought-provoking work. Its complex characters and intricate plot draw the reader in and keep them engaged from start to finish. The themes explored in the novel, such as identity, love, and the power of language, are both timeless and relevant.

While "The Black Prince" is also a great novel, there's something about "The Word Child" that keeps pulling me back. Maybe it's the way Murdoch weaves together the different storylines, or the depth of her characterizations. Whatever it is, I can't get enough of it.

In conclusion, while I initially thought "The Black Prince" was my favorite Murdoch, it seems that "The Word Child" holds a special place in my heart. I look forward to re-reading it many more times in the future.