The first thing I will write about the book is the out-of-sequence narrative, but the story is simple. The author's narration makes it so interesting that you ask yourself what is happening! I will write a little longer later. It is definitely a work that I will recommend to everyone.

This book takes you on a captivating journey with its unique narrative style. The way the author presents the events in a non-linear fashion keeps you on the edge of your seat, constantly wondering what will come next. Despite the simplicity of the story, the author's skillful handling makes it a truly engaging read.

I highly recommend this book to all book lovers. It offers a refreshing and different reading experience that will leave you wanting more. Whether you are a fan of fiction or simply looking for a good story, this book is sure to satisfy. So, don't miss out on this wonderful literary work.

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I came across this book a few years ago when I found a second-hand copy. At that time, I was not as familiar with Murdoch's work. In fact, it was only the second out of the 16 books of hers that I have read so far. To review it properly, I would need to re-read it. However, I remember the next two books I read, namely Under the Net and The Black Prince, much better.

The idea of re-reading this particular book does not attract me because, for me, it was one of her more forgettable and less interesting works. But perhaps if I read it again now, I might discover more in it. I am adding this review because the Mookse and the Gripes group is currently revisiting the 1970 Booker shortlist.

It will be interesting to see what others in the group think of this book and if their perspectives might change my own opinion. Maybe upon re-reading, I will be able to appreciate the nuances and depth that I missed the first time around. Only time will tell.

I am reading and re-reading this text slowly.

It is truly very good.

I find myself liking each and every character in it.

What makes them so interesting is that they are all complicated.

Each character has their own unique set of qualities, motives, and flaws.

Some may seem heroic at first glance, but upon closer inspection, there are hidden depths and vulnerabilities.

Others may appear to be antagonists, but there are reasons for their actions that make them more than just one-dimensional villains.

The complexity of these characters adds a layer of authenticity to the story.

It makes me feel as if I am getting to know real people, rather than just reading about fictional creations.

I can't wait to see how their stories unfold and how they will interact with each other as the plot progresses.

This is what makes a great piece of literature - the ability to create characters that are so rich and multi-faceted that they stay with you long after you have finished reading.

If you have a penchant for books that delve into the complex web of family relationships and are rife with deceit, then Bruno's Dream might seem like the perfect choice for you. However, I must admit that I did not find it to be a particularly enjoyable read. The characters in this book were, without exception, unlikable and had an air of utter depression about them. In fact, I found myself completely disengaged from nearly all of them. There was one instance where a character decided to take a swim in the Thames during a storm that caused the river to flood. To be honest, I sort of hoped that he would drown. The storylines for most of the characters were, quite frankly, ridiculous and缺乏可信度. Given my experience with this book, I cannot in good conscience recommend it to others.

We observe all that exists from the threshold of a dream lacking joy and happiness. Murdoch makes us restless, unhappy, and nervous. Surely, we must be nervous. Our breath becomes constricted with each reading of Murdoch. In this world, where human relationships are structured in a uniform manner, we only seep into the cracks.

Murdoch's novels are incomplete, they are novels that house people who have seeped into the cracks but lack the power to build a new world. The knowledge, intuition, and perception that everything changes; in Murdoch, it is not built around permanence and immutability. Is it love that is unchanging or is it death? As we strive to reach permanence, the characters in the novel faint and remain in some parts. They are powerless.

What we think of as life is actually someone else's dream. Do all these questions dissolve within this dream? Do the inhabitants of the dream leave the environment in which they are sitting and suffice? Do only those who reach the line of death understand the illusion of life?

We are now at a loss with these questions.

I have been a long-time admirer of her novels and have thoroughly enjoyed several of them. However, this particular one presented a real struggle for me.

To be fair, there is an abundance of intelligence, deep emotion, and profound philosophy within its pages. But unfortunately, it comes across as a rather unappealing concoction of unlikable characters who are constantly feuding and changing their love interests.

At certain moments, it reminded me of Anita Brookner, with a similar blend of meticulous attention to detail and a touch of unreality. Nevertheless, I firmly believe that Murdoch is a more accomplished and humorous writer.

Regrettably, this novel mostly rehashes scenarios from her other works, and the underlying story lacks the same level of interest. It also has a rather depressing tone throughout.

While there are instances of excellent writing and a lively intellect on display, by the end, I found myself more irritated than anything else and was more than glad to bid farewell to this motley crew of characters.

Fiction Reviews

Bruno resides in his son-in-law Dandy's house in London.

Surrounding him are all those dear to him.

The Thames looms with the threat of flooding, causing him great preoccupation as his precious stamp collection is in jeopardy.

There is a significant exchange of couples, and in the end, only Nigel remains single.

Philosophical Reviews

His death will not be immediate but rather a long and exhausting process.

This implies that he will strive to make amends for his mistakes, desiring to be a different man when in the presence of God and due to the loss of his loved one.

Another intriguing aspect is the turmoil among the couples. Here, happiness is not about possession; instead, everyone can love whomever they wish. Isn't that the essence of true love?

Literary Criticism

The plot centers around an elderly man who is gradually dying and the formation of new couples.

Bruno is on his deathbed in his son-in-law Dandy's house, which is situated somewhere near London. The Thames poses a threat of overflowing, and Bruno will go to great lengths to safeguard his stamp collection and his fixation with spiders.

There are numerous pairs of characters, such as Miles and Parvati, Miles and Diana (his second wife), Miles and Lisa (Diana's sister), Danby and Adelaide, Danby and Gwen, Danby and Diana, and Danby and Lisa.

The theme of this novel is the tale of a dying man and how death has the power to transform Bruno's personality.

This novel is written in the third person and narrated by an omniscient voice.

The strength of this story lies in the fact that the exchange of couples is not driven by sex but by a quest for true happiness, a form of love that is free from possession.

A brilliant re-telling of the Death of Ivan Ilyich has emerged. However, it is a bit too sentimental and overtly English. I've always held the view that the duel is a completely English thing. Although I'm cognizant that this rather moronic way of resolving matters has been prevalent all over the world. The scene of the flood is truly remarkable. It is accompanied by Bruno's acceptance of his death and his entire life. These moments rank among her most beautiful passages ever. They touch the heart and leave a lasting impression. The way she描绘s these scenes is both vivid and poignant. It makes the reader truly feel the emotions and experiences of the characters. It is a testament to her writing skills and her ability to bring a story to life.

This was a truly bizarre read. It was well-written, yet I couldn't help but feel that it was very much of its time.

It delved quite deeply into the philosophical aspects of love and death. The characters, on one hand, seemed ordinary enough, but on the other hand, they were odd to the point of being almost cartoonish. This, in turn, added to the overall oddness of the book.

The story followed the lives and loves of a group of people who all knew each other because of Bruno. It really started to pick up momentum in the middle, and from then on, it had me completely hooked. I found myself staying up late into the night, eager to find out what would happen next.

Overall, it was a unique and engaging read that left me with a lot to think about.

Books fascinate me. Pausing for a moment on the side, I will soon find myself in the wonderful atmosphere of London.

It's not ordinary.

Books have always been my source of inspiration and escape. They take me to different worlds, introduce me to diverse characters, and expand my horizons.

London, on the other hand, is a city full of history, culture, and excitement. The moment I step into its unique atmosphere, I feel a sense of adventure and possibility.

Combining the two - the love for books and the allure of London - creates a truly special experience. It's a place where I can explore new ideas, discover hidden gems, and lose myself in the magic of both literature and the city.

Whether it's browsing through a bookstore in a quiet corner of London or sitting in a park with a good book, these moments are precious and unforgettable.

So, when I think about books and London, I can't help but feel a rush of excitement and anticipation for the adventures that await.

It's a combination that never fails to amaze and inspire me.

The beginning and the end are very interesting, but the middle / development is not engaging.

This statement accurately describes a common situation in many stories, movies, or other forms of entertainment. The initial part often grabs our attention with its exciting setup or introduction of characters and conflicts. It makes us eager to know what will happen next.

Similarly, the ending usually provides a satisfying conclusion, resolving the main issues and leaving us with a sense of closure. However, the middle section sometimes lacks the necessary momentum or excitement to keep us fully engaged throughout.

This can be due to various reasons, such as slow pacing, lack of significant plot twists, or uninteresting character development. To make the middle more engaging, creators need to carefully plan and structure the story, introduce new challenges and obstacles for the characters, and keep the audience on the edge of their seats.

By doing so, they can ensure that the entire experience, from start to finish, is a truly enjoyable and captivating one.

Iris Murdoch's novels are, at least notionally, impeccably realistic.

They are typically set in or around London and portray the lives of a mainly middle-class group of characters, often in professions such as publishing, teaching, academia, or the civil service. Working-class characters are allowed to make appearances only when strictly necessary, and events are usually narrated with a characteristically English tone of self-deprecation.

However, the noumenal world frequently breaks through into the phenomenal in her novels. As someone who believed in religion rather than in God, this often manifests through rather absurdist plot devices, as if Ionesco had suddenly taken over an Elizabeth Bowen novel.

This absurdism also gives an arbitrary and tragic aspect to events: characters in Murdoch novels often die unexpectedly and accidentally, which is rather uncharacteristic of most realist novels. At one point, a character observes that "We are cool self-interested people. We did not want to set a course into ruin and madness," without realizing that this is a rather accurate description of what happens in most of her novels.

Bruno's Dream exemplifies these points more than most of her novels, although it leans more towards bleak farce than tragedy per se. Arguably, the entire plot, which consists of Shakespearian quadrilles of deceit and desire among siblings and lovers, amounts to little more than the demented imaginings of a dying man.

Many of her novels revolve around the manipulations of one character, and in this case, that role is filled by the mystic Nigel: "I am God. Maybe this is how God appears now in the world, a little unregarded crazy person who everyone pushes aside and knocks down and steps upon." But inevitably, the deus ex machina he attempts to contrive instead descends into meaningless farce and is displaced by a more literal deus ex machina: exeunt, swept aside by floodwater.