She's a trip.

To be honest, this novel was A LOT like "The Message to the Planet". It really makes me wonder if all her books tell the same story essentially.

However, despite this possible similarity in the overall plot, I always find myself drawn to her characters. They are so vivid and unique, each with their own distinct personalities and traits.

Moreover, her tricks with words and sentences are truly remarkable. The way she weaves together language to create beautiful and engaging prose is simply amazing.

Even if the stories might seem somewhat familiar, her writing style and the way she develops her characters always manage to keep me hooked and interested.

I guess that's the magic of her writing.

There is a certain performance of Dostoyevsky's "The Brothers Karamazov", but it has turned out not too badly at all.

This work is a classic of Russian literature, and any attempt to bring it to the stage is a challenging task.

The actors in this performance did a decent job of bringing the complex characters and their relationships to life.

The set design and lighting also added to the overall atmosphere of the production.

While there were some areas that could have been improved, such as the pacing in certain scenes, overall it was an enjoyable and engaging performance.

It gave the audience a chance to experience the power and depth of Dostoyevsky's work in a new and exciting way.

Hopefully, there will be more opportunities to see this and other great works of literature adapted for the stage in the future.

**Title: 4/09**

On 4/09, a rather ordinary day on the surface. But perhaps, beneath the mundane exterior, there were hidden stories and emotions.

Maybe someone woke up with a sense of anticipation, not knowing what the day would bring. They went about their morning routine, getting dressed, having breakfast, and preparing for the day ahead.

As the hours passed, they interacted with colleagues, friends, or family. There could have been conversations that sparked joy, or maybe a few that caused a bit of stress.

4/09 might have been a day of work meetings, school assignments, or household chores. But even in the midst of the ordinary, there were moments that could have been special.

It could have been a smile from a stranger, a beautiful sunset, or a quiet moment of reflection. These small things can make a day memorable and give us a reason to look back on 4/09 with a sense of warmth and gratitude.

In the end, 4/09 may have come and gone, but it left its mark on those who experienced it.

The story started off quite promisingly. It seemed to have a good beginning that could potentially draw the reader in.

However, as it progressed, it unfortunately devolved into a rather boring description. There was a lack of depth and meaning, making it feel flat and uninteresting.

The details provided were mundane and failed to engage the reader's imagination or emotions. It became a chore to read, and in the end, I simply couldn't finish it.

It's a shame because with a bit more effort and thought put into the development of the plot and characters, the story could have been much more engaging and enjoyable.

Perhaps the author could have added more conflict, or delved deeper into the motives and personalities of the characters to give the story more substance.

As it stands, it falls short of expectations and fails to leave a lasting impression.

Fascinating and absurdly comedic, this book presents a unique reading experience.

The beginning of the book was rather slow as Murdoch dedicated a considerable amount of time to vividly describing the setting. However, as the story progresses, the pace suddenly shifts to a break-neck speed, keeping the readers on the edge of their seats.

The language, characters, and pacing of this book were truly unlike any other I've ever read. It offers a profound look at individuals' images of others, themselves, and their place in the world.

It is very curious and enjoyable, leaving me with a strong desire to read more of Murdoch's works. This book would make excellent fodder for a book group. I am sure that without in-depth discussion, I have missed quite a bit of Murdoch's allusions and symbols, which adds an extra layer of depth and complexity to the reading.

Overall, it is a captivating and thought-provoking book that I highly recommend.

The Philosopher's pupil begins with a passionate chat between George McCaffrey and his wife Stella Henriques.

From this discussion, it becomes clear that George is a womanizer who despises women and is in great turmoil. Father Bernad Jacoby wishes to assist him.

The dilemma lies in determining whether the accident was a dream of George's or if he attempted to kill his wife.

After several pages, a strong contrast emerges between George and John Robert Rozanov, the philosopher.

The most fascinating character is "N - I am an observer, a student of human nature, a moralist, a man, and will allow here and there the discreet luxury of moralizing."

With their perspectives (N & Iris Murdoch, perhaps), we will journey into the souls of these vivid personages and ask ourselves if love has boundaries and how it can be expressed. There is not only infatuation, homosexuality, and heterosexuality but also suffering and possessiveness.

It is evident that humans are imperfect, and even the philosopher, a victim of jealousy, is not immune.

If we are aware that we are victims of envy and hate someone because we cannot have a particular person to love, we will seek the help of a priest.

In this case, the priest does not believe in God as Father Jacoby does not believe in a personal God but rather in a spiritual reality.

Other philosophical questions include whether love can triumph over evil and if we can define the boundaries between good and evil without being gods, and if envy is a form of love (George - Rozanov).

A portion of this novel is dedicated to the question of whether a philosopher can arrange a marriage between Tom and Hattie Meynell, his granddaughter, and why her future husband cannot be a philosopher.

The most interesting passages are the letters, as the most intimate form of communication, as they seem to be a direct dialogue between souls.

The last chapter, "What Happened Afterwards," is not a simple summary of the main characters but opens new philosophical questions in the reader's mind from the perspective of "N."

These questions have no solution (this is philosophy) due to their complexity.

It is like living inside Plato's cave, which is positive because if we were to exit, we would suffer more.

It is better to have a "personal God" rather than a "spiritual God" as this implies a profound reasoning about the "nature of God." Without an answer, the world would be worse; the perfect balance is the cave.

This novel concludes with a monologue of N: "As I know and this one, somebody may say, But how on earth do you know all these things about all these people? Well, where does one person end and another begin? It is my role in life to listen to stories. I also had the assistance of a certain lady."

I felt extremely meh about this particular one. Generally speaking, I have a great affection for Murdoch's works. However, this time around, I really had a tough time trying to finish it.

The story didn't seem to grip me as much as her other ones. Maybe it was the plot that didn't quite click with me, or perhaps the characters didn't come alive in the way I expected. I found myself constantly losing interest and having to force myself to keep reading.

Despite my initial excitement when I picked up this book, it just didn't deliver the same level of enjoyment that I've come to associate with Murdoch. It's a bit of a disappointment, really, but I guess every author has an off day.

There is an excessive amount of time and effort dedicated to establishing the story and presenting an overwhelming number of characters. This elaborate setup often leads to a sense of anticipation and excitement among the readers. However, once the story finally gets going and reaches what should be its climax and conclusion, it fails to deliver. The build-up has created such high expectations that the actual outcome feels lackluster and underwhelming. The disappointment is palpable as the readers realize that the promised excitement and drama do not materialize. It seems that the author may have become too focused on the details of the setup and lost sight of the importance of a strong and satisfying climax and conclusion.

Stopped at 15%.

There was simply an overwhelming amount of detail in the story. It felt as if the author was trying to cram in every little aspect, which ended up making it a bit of a slog to get through.

Moreover, none of the characters really stood out or were compelling enough to keep me engaged. They seemed rather flat and uninteresting, lacking that certain spark or depth that would have made me eager to find out what happened to them.

As a result, I just couldn't bring myself to continue reading beyond the 15% mark. It's a shame really, as there might have been some good ideas buried beneath all that excessive detail and unappealing characters, but unfortunately, I'll never know.

I have truly relished other Iris Murdoch books, yet this particular one failed to fully captivate me.

The narrative commences with an extremely engaging scene where a couple engages in a fierce argument, and subsequently, the husband, in a drunken stupor, nearly takes his wife's life.

However, it then slows down significantly for an extended period. The description of the town, its edifices, and rooms is so painstakingly detailed that it almost makes me want to retch!

The characterizations are intricate, which is indeed one of her fortes. Nevertheless, they seem to drone on without much clear purpose. We are repeatedly informed about how unattractive Rosinov is, yet everyone appears to be spellbound by him and obediently do his bidding, while he remains almost oblivious to his own power.

There are extremely malicious characters, highly virtuous characters, naïve characters, and foolish characters: all manner of types. It also serves as a commentary on philosophy and how it can detach you from leading a genuine life.

But almost none of the characters are truly living a real life with authentic relationships, and by the conclusion, you are simply relieved that it has finally come to an end. In essence, it would have been enhanced by more rigorous editing.

What a remarkable book - it is so distinct from the ones I have been perusing! Her obituary in The Guardian stated that "Her finest novels blend Dostoevsky with Shakespearian romance and love-comedy." And this couldn't be truer! It is hilarious, relatable, quirky, and intelligent. I don't yet have a profound understanding of her concerns, such as why she writes novels. However, I will be delving into more of her works, and I'm extremely excited about it. One particular aspect that I value is the time Murdoch invests in allowing her characters to think and explore their ideas, motivations, the actions of others, and their position in society. Her writing is of such high quality that she can have a character ponder for several pages over a fleeting glance on the pool deck. It's truly excellent stuff!

I find myself completely engrossed in her novels, eager to uncover more of the mysteries and emotions that lie within. Each page is a new adventure, filled with vivid descriptions and complex characters. I can't wait to see what else Murdoch has in store for me as I continue my literary journey through her works.

What I loved best about this book was Murdoch's remarkable depiction of the strange balancing act between George and Rozanov.

George, in his eagerness to provoke a reaction and seek validation for himself, would constantly ram himself against the philosopher. Rozanov, on the other hand, remained steadfast in his refusal to take the bait.

I could really identify with George's end of the stick as I have been in similar situations myself. Murdoch's ability to capture this dynamic and lay it out so clearly for the reader was truly appreciated.

However, I didn't quite understand the power that Rozanov seemed to hold over everyone he met.

I was glad of her character choice for the obligatory death. It was also satisfying to see how each of the characters sorted out in the end, which doesn't always happen in a Murdoch book. The scene in the boiler room with Tom was particularly intense.

Some of my favorite random quotes from the book include: "He had noticed Brian noticing how much he drank." "I don't like her name in your mouth." "Was he married? Yes, but that doesn't matter. This is a poem. We don't want wives in poems." "Emma's leg kicking Tom met Tom's leg kicking Emma." "The bearded Indian even looked a little like Jesus Christ." "People who thought that Stella lived in hell were not wrong; but like all those who do not, they failed to understand that hell is a large place wherein there are many familiar refuges and corners." "If he (Zed the dog) had seen George buried he would have dug him up." "Or had someone told him that the confounded philosopher was a teetotaller?" "What Brian called 'the family court-martial of George' came about by accident."

And my absolute favorite: "A new scarf can be a vehicle of grace." This quote, in particular, seems to capture the essence of the book in a simple yet profound way. It reminds us that even the smallest things in life can hold great significance and beauty.