I vividly remember a while ago that I had the pleasure of reading and thoroughly enjoying an Iris Murdoch novel. It was such a remarkable experience that I couldn't resist the temptation and promptly bought another one. However, I find myself wondering why exactly I am so drawn to her works.

In fact, very little seems to actually happen in her novels, and few of the characters are particularly likeable. But despite these apparent drawbacks, her novels are incredibly dense and complex, offering brilliant insights and observations into human nature. It's as if she peels back the layers of our souls and exposes the raw and often messy truth.

The novel I am currently reading is set in a small English village and delves into the lives of its inhabitants. They seem to spend all their time watching, thinking about, and speculating upon the activities of the others. The text is weighty and at times, it feels as if it's mostly being told rather than shown. But somehow, I still find it utterly absorbing and endlessly fascinating. It's as if I am under a spell, unable to put the book down.

After reading this novel, I am more convinced than ever that Iris Murdoch is a literary genius. I must add more of her works to my wish list and continue to explore the rich and captivating world she has created.

Well, this was a bit of a struggle indeed.

It was the first 'serious' fiction I've read in years. Having been so deeply immersed in story-driven materials and anything featuring exploding robots, a work that is so character-focused at times made me want to yell (mentally) "FFS make something happen."

However, there was sufficient incident within the narrative to keep me engaged and plenty of interesting aspects regarding why people did certain things.

I shall probably attempt something more straightforward next time. But I might take a look at Murdoch's works again during my loooooooooong retirement :o).

Perhaps with more time and a different mindset, I will be able to fully appreciate the nuances and depth of character-focused fiction.

For now, though, I'll stick to my usual fare of action-packed and plot-driven stories.

Who knows what the future holds in terms of my reading preferences? Maybe I'll discover a new love for a different genre altogether.

Only time will tell.

A book that consists almost entirely of quarrels and bickering, filled with envy, jealousy, malice, and haughty contempt. A book whose most vivid characters are an unbalanced hothead and a buffoon, offended innocence and a pig philosopher, while the others are a bunch of insecure/pretentious/hysterical individuals.

At first, I waited for the bickering to end and the action to begin. Then, when a meaning would emerge from the chaos of movement and the filthy stream of words. Finally, I simply waited for the end of the book. And at last, it ended.

This book seems to be a chaotic and rather unappealing portrayal of human nature. The constant quarrels and the unlikable characters make it a rather tiresome read. However, perhaps there is some deeper meaning hidden within the chaos that I failed to grasp. Maybe it is a commentary on the flaws and vices of society. Or perhaps it is just a random collection of words and ideas that don't really amount to much. In any case, I am glad that I have finally finished this book and can move on to something more interesting.

Didn't finish it. The story was just full of stupid, nasty characters doing horrible things. It was truly unappealing and uninteresting. I had no desire to continue reading such a mess. There was no redeeming quality in it at all. It was a waste of my time and energy. I would rather spend my time on something more worthwhile and engaging. Something that could capture my attention and make me think. This story failed to do any of that. It was just a jumble of senseless and unlikable elements. No thanks!

My favorite by Murdoch (so far).

She truly grasps the profoundness, the banality, the weirdness, and the personality of evil. It's as if she has delved deep into the very essence of it.

Moreover, she is so deeply involved with the moral destiny of her characters. However, she approaches it from outside a strictly religious perspective. In fact, it's really a post-Christian stance.

This unique way of looking at things is what I find extremely interesting. It showcases both originality and discipline. It makes me think and question in ways that I haven't before.

Her work seems to offer a fresh and different lens through which to view the complex nature of evil and the moral choices that characters face.

It's a captivating exploration that keeps me engaged and eager to see where she takes her stories next.

I could've sworn I'd written this out yesterday.

It was such a distinct memory in my mind. I recalled sitting at my desk, pen in hand, carefully jotting down each word.

The room was quiet, and I was completely focused on the task at hand.

I was confident that I had completed the writing, and yet, here I am today, realizing that it somehow didn't materialize.

Maybe it was a momentary lapse in memory, or perhaps there was some other explanation.

But regardless, the fact remains that I thought I had written this yesterday, and now I find myself having to do it all over again.

It's a strange feeling, but I guess it's just one of those things that happen.

I'll just have to start fresh and hope that this time, it actually gets done.

This may be Murdock's most unusual -- even peculiar -- novel.

However, it is oddly gripping, captivating the reader from the very first page. It is a philosophical page-turner that makes one think deeply about life and its meaning.

Filled with the vivid descriptions and witty dialogue that a reader has come to expect in her novels, this work展现了 Murdock's remarkable talent as a writer.

The characters are brought to life through her detailed and nuanced portrayals, and the story unfolds in a way that keeps the reader on the edge of their seat.

Despite its unusual nature, this novel has the power to engage and entrance, leaving a lasting impression on the reader.

I'm usually filled with a sense of satisfaction when I've completed an Iris Murdoch novel.

It requires a great deal of endurance on my part to slog through her overly detailed and lengthy writing. However, she always manages to compel me to keep turning the pages, even as I'm muttering "ok, ok, get on with it."

In the end, I believe it's those countless descriptions of characters and their emotions that make her characters so captivating.

There are also the quirks of people and situations, which are almost comical yet not quite.

So, I'll undoubtedly continue to read her novels, but I don't think I'll pick up another one this year. I have a whole stack of books to get through, and I don't anticipate reading her later novels, which were written as Alzheimer's was taking hold.

Although they might be fascinating for that very reason, I have other literary adventures to embark on.

And currently, I have an intense longing to visit a hot springs, which served as the backdrop for the entire novel.

It's as if the allure of that steamy, rejuvenating place is pulling at me, beckoning me to experience it for myself.

Perhaps a trip to the hot springs would provide the perfect escape and a chance to soak in the atmosphere that Murdoch so vividly描绘 in her novel.

Who knows what new inspiration and insights it might bring?

George is truly and utterly loathsome. His actions and behavior are so repulsive that I find myself constantly on the verge of wanting to slap almost everyone around him. It's as if his presence contaminates the entire atmosphere.

But aside from that, the overall situation is remarkably dull. There is no excitement, no spark, no sense of anything interesting happening. It's like being trapped in a never-ending cycle of monotony.

The days pass by slowly, and I can't help but feel a sense of boredom creeping in. I long for something, anything, to break this tedium and bring a bit of life and energy back into the equation.

Maybe it's time for a change, a new adventure, or a different perspective. Because right now, with George being so loathsome and everything else being so dull, I'm starting to feel like I'm going crazy.

Interesting narrative overlaid with philosophical commentary. This is not a book for those who do not enjoy the discussion of ideas.

However, if you have a penchant for fiction that is skillfully interlaced with profound philosophy, then this book should most definitely be on your list.

It comes as no surprise that the author, Iris Murdoch, was an academic philosopher prior to becoming a novelist.

Her philosophical background shines through in the pages of this work, adding depth and complexity to the story.

The narrative weaves together engaging characters and thought-provoking ideas, inviting the reader to explore and reflect on various philosophical concepts.

Whether it's about the nature of morality, the meaning of life, or the role of relationships, Murdoch's writing challenges the reader to think deeply and question their own beliefs.

This unique combination of interesting storytelling and philosophical exploration makes this book a truly captivating read for those who appreciate both.

It offers a rare opportunity to engage with philosophy in a fictional context, making it accessible and enjoyable for a wide range of readers.

So, if you're looking for a book that will both entertain and stimulate your mind, look no further than this work by Iris Murdoch.

I just couldn't finish this particular book.

I managed to get through 130 densely filled pages, but it simply wasn't to my taste.

The book was penned in the mid-1980s and appears to depict a prosperous English town and its inhabitants during a time that, to me, felt like the 1970s.

It came across as extremely outdated and could really benefit from some tough editing.

There is an excessive amount of speculation regarding the inner lives of the characters.

Sometimes, less truly is more.

On the blurb at the back of the book, one reviewer describes it as "hugely funny".

Well, if it is, it's far too subtle for my liking.

Maybe others will find the humor and charm in it that I just couldn't seem to grasp.

But for now, I'm moving on to something else that might better suit my reading preferences.

Earlier this year, I embarked on the journey of reading Murdoch's works. Now, I am drawing near to the last 5 of her novels. Among them, this particular one, along with “The Sea, The Sea” and “Nuns and Soldiers”, are rather lengthy. However, “Pupil” stands out as my favorite among the three. The characters in “Pupil” are a bit more captivating, and the story progresses at a relatively quicker pace. Nevertheless, it is still approximately 200 pages longer than it perhaps should be. This extra length might cause some readers to feel a bit bogged down at times. But overall, the engaging nature of the characters and the interesting plot manage to hold one's attention. As I continue to read through these remaining novels, I look forward to seeing what other literary treasures Murdoch has in store for me.