Sometimes, when I pick up Murdoch, I have the feeling that I am always reading one very long book about what happens when everything in the Oblonsky house gets so mixed up that all happy families are also happy in their own way, and far from always is it the case that you can just put them on the cover of a magazine for impressive housewives right now. And even her characters seem to move from book to book, almost becoming archetypes. And sometimes, as in "Mechanics", the characters don't even bother with such transitions and just wander through the book as if they are two people - a mother and son, for example, or two lovers - who are reflected in a dozen crooked mirrors, live not one life and still end up in something sticky and burdensome. In Murdoch's works, in two words, it's all about life again, which decays behind the facade of the unburdened, as in books on housekeeping and family happiness.

Murdoch's writing style is unique and captivating. Her characters are complex and multi-faceted, often facing inner turmoil and moral dilemmas. The settings she creates are vivid and detailed, drawing the reader into a world that is both familiar and strange. Through her works, she explores themes such as love, loss, identity, and the meaning of life. Whether it's the dysfunctional Oblonsky family or the mysterious characters in "Mechanics", Murdoch's stories always have something to say about the human condition.

Overall, reading Murdoch is like embarking on a journey into the depths of the human psyche. Her books are not easy reads, but they are rewarding and thought-provoking. They make us question our own beliefs and values, and they force us to look at the world around us in a new light. If you're looking for a writer who can challenge you and make you think, then Iris Murdoch is definitely worth checking out.

Edgar slowly thrust his hand deep into his pocket. With a gentle pull, he retrieved the somewhat ruffled package that contained his precious letters to Sophie.

As he did this, a magical sight occurred. A shower of delicate white rose petals suddenly burst forth and flew about him in a fluttering dance. The petals seemed to have a life of their own as they adhered to his jacket, some gently falling upon the soft carpet and the warm, dusty hearth stone.

These were the petals of the big white rose that had managed to clamber so high up into the cherry tree. Edgar vividly remembered seeing its flowers, which appeared translucently alight against the brilliant backdrop of the sky.

Now, Edgar looked down at the strewn whiteness before him. It was as if each petal was a little message, or perhaps like confetti thrown to celebrate some unknown occasion. He had always had a special preference for white flowers, finding in them a purity and beauty that touched his heart.

The scene before him was both enchanting and poignant, filling him with a mix of emotions as he stood there, surrounded by the fallen petals of the white rose.

I found the characters in this story to be rather annoying.

Take the mistress for example. She's still complaining after 10 years that the man she's involved with hasn't left his wife.

It's like she has no clue about the reality of the situation.

However, a couple of other characters were well-developed.

Though, one of them was incredibly short-changed.

The plotting of the story was good, but there are other works by Murdoch that are better.

Perhaps with more attention to the characters and their development, this story could have been more engaging.

As it stands, it has its flaws, but it's not a complete waste of time either.

Overall, it's an average read that could have been improved in several areas.

This is my second encounter with Iris Murdoch's work, and while I'm glad I read it, it will remain with me as a memorable read, yet I didn't truly like it. I'm rather simplistic in my literary tastes. I prefer characters that I can wholeheartedly support and I delight in a happy ending.

In her introduction to the book, I concur with Elaine Feinstein's 2002 summary.

‘Both the bleakness and the beauty of this memorable novel lie in our realisation that the world around us functions neither by justice nor a sense of the aesthetic, that only children attempt to believe otherwise, and that even their innocence provides them with no safeguard.’

Here I am, still a child at heart, and I desire my stories to have a happy conclusion, or at least a modicum of justice. I find it difficult to embrace the harsh reality that the world often operates without these ideals. Maybe as I grow older and more experienced, my perspective will change, but for now, I hold onto my hope for a more just and beautiful literary world.

I am extremely furious with this book at the moment. Even though I completed it six months ago, I am still seething with anger. I believe I ought to award it higher stars, as it was making me think and feel in ways that I don't typically experience. I was on the verge of going crazy. I had the urge to fling the book away from me, but it wasn't because it was bad. The author simply understands how much people and things can be terrible at times, and how they can be terrible in a plethora of unique and horribly self-deceptive ways. Therefore, while this book is truly brilliant when it comes to depicting people and merits far more stars, people are just so damn awful that I'm adhering to a rating of two. Grrr.

Love is a complex and multi-faceted concept that cannot be simply divided into two opposing categories. It is both sacred and profane, existing in a realm that defies easy classification.

This is beautifully captured in a great book that takes the reader on a journey filled with twists and turns. The author skillfully delves into the stream of consciousness of the characters, revealing their innermost thoughts and desires.

The quote "It's all to do with the hygiene of the ego. A successful religion is a recipe for an innocent-feeling fantasy life and happy sex" adds another layer of depth to the exploration of love and its relationship with the self and with religion. It suggests that our understanding of love is often influenced by our own egos and our need for a sense of purity and innocence.

Overall, this book offers a profound and thought-provoking exploration of love, challenging our preconceived notions and inviting us to look at this universal emotion in a new light.

I only read the parts where the love affair was happening beneath the dappled light and accompanied by the beautiful bird song. It was like a dreamy scene that made my heart flutter. However, as soon as the grey cloud appeared, it seemed to cast a shadow over everything. At that moment, I just had to put the book down.

It felt like a rude awakening from the wonderful world I had entered through the pages of the book. I thought to myself, "fml" (oh my god). This just goes to show that if you want to face up to the harsh reality, perhaps this kind of book isn't for you. It's nice to escape into a fictional world of love and beauty for a while, but eventually, we have to come back to the real world with all its challenges and difficulties.

Maybe I'll pick up the book again when I'm in a better mood and ready to embrace the fantasy once more. But for now, I'll have to deal with the grey cloud that has settled over my life.

I have a great passion for racing through books. When it comes to reading, I'm either completely immersed in it or not interested at all.

This particular book, however, was a bit of a slow burner. It seemed to grind to a halt for extended periods while it delved into the protagonist's inner state. If my memory serves me right, the first real scene with dialogues didn't appear until well past the fiftieth page. By that point, I was on the verge of pulling my hair out because I was so fed up with the overly in-depth exploration of every main character's state of being.

That being said, this book is truly for those who are emotionally perceptive. The author delves incredibly deeply, and I mean really, really deeply, into almost every facet of human emotion. It is a book of remarkable power. It is designed to be read, contemplated, and allowed to simmer in one's subconscious in order to fully understand its scope. I anticipate that in the years to come, I will encounter something in my life that will jog my memory of this book.

I can't fathom what kind of observational discipline enables the author to describe every细微的行为细节 with such precision. Nevertheless, here is a book that serves as a testament to that brilliance.

The interlocking emotional lives of a group of mostly ghastly people present a disturbing picture. Their utter selfishness not only sullies their own natures but also leads to the psychological abuse of two children, half-brothers. The only perceived faults of these children are their refusal to succumb to the nasty, selfish awfulness of the disturbed adults around them and their attempt to retain an innocence, separately attained, under constant assault from the pervasive self-centeredness, corruption, and perversion of people too caught up in their own wants and needs to see the damage they cause.

Iris Murdoch has skillfully drawn back a veil on educated middle-class society. With sharp irony and cruel humor, she has exposed the rottenness beneath. Nearly half a century ago, she acutely related the now seemingly universal moral lesson that it is the petty evil who flourish, while the good only find reward in death. This is indeed a novel of darkness, yet it has real psychological depth. Although it may be somewhat overly Freudian in its interpretation, it is suffused with a knowing and jaundiced wit.

This is my favorite book.

It holds a special place in my heart and has accompanied me through many wonderful moments. The story within its pages is like a magical adventure that takes me to different worlds and introduces me to a variety of interesting characters.

The author's writing style is captivating, making it impossible for me to put the book down once I start reading. Each chapter is filled with excitement, mystery, and emotion, keeping me on the edge of my seat.

Not only does this book provide entertainment, but it also offers valuable lessons and insights. It has taught me about love, friendship, courage, and perseverance. Through the experiences of the characters, I have learned to face my own challenges with determination and to never give up on my dreams.

In conclusion, this is not just a book to me; it is a source of inspiration and a dear friend. I will always cherish it and recommend it to others.

Sacred and profane love is a complex and often tumultuous theme.

Consider a man who finds himself torn between two families. On one hand, there is his "sacred" family, consisting of his wife and their son David. This is the family that society deems legitimate, the one that is built on the foundation of marriage and commitment.

On the other hand, there is his "profane" family, which includes his mistress and their son Luca. This relationship exists outside the bounds of traditional morality and social norms.

As time passes, these two families begin to slowly unravel. The lies and secrets that have been carefully constructed start to surface, threatening to tear apart the lives of all those involved.

The man is caught in a web of his own making, forced to confront the consequences of his actions. The exploration of the meaning of love in this context becomes a poignant and thought-provoking journey.

It raises questions about what it truly means to love, and whether the heart's satisfaction can ever be found through such divided loyalties.

Ultimately, this story serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of straying from the path of sacred love and the importance of being true to oneself and those we hold dear.

Title: The Unexpected Ending

Once upon a time, there was a story that seemed to unfold in a rather ordinary way. It started with a character facing a series of challenges, and as the plot progressed, it seemed as if there was a glimmer of hope for a happy resolution.

However, just when the reader thought they knew what was coming, the story took a sharp turn. The ending was not what anyone expected. It was like a punch in the stomach, leaving the reader stunned and speechless.

The unexpected twist at the end completely changed the perspective of the entire story. What had seemed like a typical tale suddenly became something much more profound and memorable.

This kind of ending serves as a reminder that life is full of surprises, and sometimes the things we least expect can have the greatest impact. It leaves us with a sense of awe and wonder, and makes us realize that there is always more to a story than meets the eye.

In the end, this story will stay with us, a powerful example of how a simple twist can turn an ordinary narrative into something truly extraordinary. And it will always end as a punch in the stomach.