The Philosopher's Pupil by iris murdoch

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

As it was my first Murdoch novel – I knew a bit about Murdoch the author -- I didn't know what to expect (though I suppose I did enter with some preconceptions).

The title intrigued me, being a student of philosophy, so I was hooked.

Published in 1983, it reads to me much older, more at home with authors like Dickens, Eliot, Austen, Tolstoy who populated their novels with hordes of deeply complex characters, working out through the pages all manner of human obsessions, foibles, hopes and dreams.

THE PHILOSOPHER'S PUPIL surprised me – it is not the novel I expected. While the philosopher and his pupil of the title are important characters, it is not their story alone. Murdoch gives us a universe full of deeply-drawn characters, all flawed to one degree or another.

It's a sprawling, complex novel, set in the fictional English village of Ennistone, narrated by a mysterious character, N, who seems to have intimate knowledge of just about everyone in town.

Into this dysfunctional cast of characters enters the prodigal son -- now senior -- the Great Philosopher, John Robert Rozanoz, returning to his home. But to what purpose? To complete his “great book” summarizing his lifetime of philosophical thought, as Alex McCaffrey assumed? To mend fences and reconnect with his former pupil, George McCaffrey, whom he had castigated as unfit to do philosophy, thereby ruining George’s life (at least according to George)?

In fact, just about everyone in Ennistone thinks Rozanov’s return has something to do with them. Oh, the vanity!

It’s a great novel, full of ideas, full of interesting characters, twists, turns, and an unforgettable ending. The story weaves together the lives and emotions of these diverse characters in a way that keeps the reader engaged from start to finish. The themes explored, such as love, loss, ambition, and the search for meaning, are universal and timeless. Murdoch’s writing is rich and detailed, painting a vivid picture of the village and its inhabitants. Overall, THE PHILOSOPHER'S PUPIL is a must-read for anyone who enjoys a thought-provoking and engaging novel.

0 0 Reply

ninelline

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

This is my third novel by Murdoch.

Apart from the complexity of human psyche she limns out, what makes her interesting to me is the geographical setting she chooses to tell the story. Aptly dubbed as Prospero's island in one of the endorsements in the blurb, she creates a world which is spatially alienated and self-contained. The novel is set in the fictional and charming town of Ennistone (also known as the spa town), to where the distinguished philosopher John Robert Rozanov returns with his granddaughter and her maid. At the centre of the novel is the tumultuous relationship between Rozanov and his former pupil, George McCaffrey where tyrannical and Prospero-like Rozanov despises latter's obsessive need for dependence.

From the three novels I've read so far, I like Murdoch for so many reasons. Her flawed and vulnerable characters, in their conflicts with morality and obsession, push themselves to reveal the ends of their depravity. Her depiction of the impossibility of being good is thought-provoking. Her engagement with religion and freedom, her reflections on the Good and the God add depth to the story. Her subtle use of an element of fantastic and recurring symbols of nature make the narrative more enchanting.

But in this case, what put me off was the way women characters were written. Of course female characters could be written as flawed, evil, subservient etc. But to portray the womenfolk, both within and outside the family (mostly marginalized in their own ways), to be charmed and driven by the demonic male characters, seems to reduce them to disposable narrative tools to me.

Even though she denies her novels to be 'philosophical novels', I feel that Murdoch hides two separate voices in her narrative. A literary voice meticulously sketching out every detail about the characters' voices and appearances and a contemplative philosophical voice trying to merge with the former. Between the voices, the characters are not held back by the author. The author just sits back and the characters are given a free reign. Probably that's what I like about Murdoch's craft.

0 0 Reply

darhkm8

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

I think this is the first Iris Murdoch book that I didn't just thoroughly enjoy reading.

The story was about a series of families in a small town with a hot springs, which served as the local gossiping joint. There were numerous main characters. There was the famous philosopher and his young adult granddaughter. Then there were the McCaffrey's: the matriarch Alex, sons George and Brian, and'stepson' Tom, along with their spouses, servants, mistress, and friends.

In the typical Murdoch way, they all became intertwined with each other, and the story within the town unfolded amazingly well. The interesting aspects for me were how the two brothers, George and Tom, basically swapped personalities for a while. It demonstrated how we can be influenced by others. The other point was the way the philosopher exerted extreme control over every aspect of his granddaughter's life. Maybe it wasn't just his granddaughter, but it was particularly evident in her case.

The reviews all described this one as comic, but I didn't perceive it as such. There was too much struggle for control of oneself and others. It made the story more intense and less light-hearted than what the comic label might suggest.

0 0 Reply

Junyo

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

Philosopher Iris Murdoch offers a scathing indictment of philosophy, or at least some of its (mis)uses. She vividly demonstrates how an all-consuming obsession with abstractions can have a corrupting influence, ultimately resulting in a lack of meaningful involvement with the real world. Her characters, as is characteristic of her work, are complex and multi-faceted, adding depth and richness to her narratives.

She astutely points out that individual people possess a uniqueness that far surpasses anything that any philosophy or social science could ever dream of capturing. Each person is a world unto themselves, with their own set of experiences, emotions, and desires.

Her books are a treasure trove of wisdom and insight, and this particular work stands out as one of her very best. It offers a thought-provoking exploration of the human condition and the role of philosophy in our lives. Reading her work is not only intellectually stimulating but also deeply enriching on a personal level. It forces us to question our own assumptions and beliefs and to look at the world from a different perspective.

0 0 Reply

Siu_Armbrust

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

This review stems from a reread, embarking on a rather strange journey back to the 1980s.

The passages that I once adored are still intact. I had completely forgotten about Adam and his dog Zed, and their reappearance was truly a pleasant surprise. Moreover, the Spa and the Slipper House continue to be a source of pleasure.

However, this time around, I found myself annoyed by George, the Philosopher's Pupil himself. This misbehaving male is a recurring character in Murdoch's works. When I first read this book, I believe it was the first encounter with him, and I was charmed. Now, the references to his domestic violence are not only shocking but also seem so out of place and outdated that Murdoch's gentle tolerance towards him is rather disconcerting.

Murdoch has an array of tricks and idiosyncrasies that, upon rereading, become irritating and repetitive. I now recall that this was precisely the reason why I gave up on her in the past. Nevertheless, there is still pure gold to be found within her writing.

0 0 Reply

Schzzy

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

This novel truly encompasses everything a great novel should be.

I am completely enamored with the way the author takes you on an intimate journey inside each of the characters' thoughts. It's as if you become one with them, experiencing their joys, sorrows, and inner turmoil.

Moreover, the setting and the people within it are given ample time to breathe and develop. They are not just two-dimensional figures but real, living entities that come alive on the pages.

Although the actual plot seems to take a while to take off (it really gets going after about page 300), once it does, things happen at a rapid pace, keeping you on the edge of your seat.

This novel is a real joy to read. I found myself completely immersed in its world and didn't want it to end. It's the kind of book that you'll want to pick up again and again, savoring every moment.

0 0 Reply

Daril

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book.

It masterfully wrapped the story of a small town life and a family saga within a cerebral observation.

The truly mad characters, in a sense, were those deeply interested in philosophy.

While the others were simply living their ordinary lives, unknowingly presenting a vivid example for the philosophers to observe.

However, the philosophers were so completely caught up in their own minds and thoughts that they failed to notice or learn from the real lives happening around them.

They were lost in the abstractions of philosophy, oblivious to the practical wisdom and lessons that could be gleaned from the everyday experiences of the townspeople.

This contrast between the philosophical minds and the ordinary lives created a rich and engaging narrative that kept me hooked from start to finish.

It made me reflect on the importance of looking beyond our own intellectual pursuits and being open to learning from the world and the people around us.

0 0 Reply

Noana

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

July 15,2025

This is my 21st encounter with Iris Murdoch's 26 novels, and the experience is always a delight.

This particular work alternates between the serious and the farcical. One of the main characters is an eminent philosopher, enabling Murdoch to engage in copious amounts of philosophical and religious conversation and speculation. However, the human comedy is never too distant.

The book is narrated by the mysterious N, who plays a minor role in the story but seems to exist mainly to witness events and soak up gossip. He names the setting Ennistone (derived from N's town). Although this sounds Irish, as do many of the characters' surnames, the actual setting is a spa town in South East England.

The pupil in the title is George McCaffrey. In the opening scene, George has an argument with his wife while driving, which leads to an apparent accident where the car ends up in the canal. He manages to escape before the car sinks, but his wife is trapped inside. George may have pushed the car in, but he can't remember clearly. So, he becomes something of a local demon figure.

George's old professor, John Robert Rozanov, a former Ennistone resident now living in America, returns to the town. However, he wants nothing to do with George, having told him to give up philosophy, a blow from which George never recovers.

Much of the story revolves around Rozanov's plan to get George's younger half-brother, Tom, to marry his young granddaughter, Hattie, who has been placed in a house belonging to and in the garden of George's mother, Alex. [Alex is one of several characters whose names are sexually ambiguous, with others including George's sister-in-law, Gabriel, and Tom's male friend, Emma (short for Emmanuel)].

Among the other stranger elements are a bizarre incident where Alex becomes trapped in the bowels of the spa, and a flying saucer that several characters see above a stone circle on the town's common.

Overall, I found this to be one of Murdoch's more entertaining novels.

0 0 Reply

Leave a Review

You must be logged in to rate and post a review. Register an account to get started.

The Philosopher's Pupil

iris murdoch

This edition

More editions

About the author

iris murdoch

Readers also enjoyed

Community Reviews