This is my very first Murdoch novel, and I have to admit that she is truly unique.

The interior dialogue in the book was described with great precision, making it feel extremely real. It was as if I could peek into the characters' minds and understand their deepest thoughts and emotions.

However, the spoken dialogue often gave the impression that it was taken from an old movie. The characters would curse their ill-fated love and end sentences with exclamations like "This can never work! Don't you see?"

Despite these flaws, the good aspects of the novel were good enough to make me want to read more by Murdoch. The less-than-good parts were still somewhat entertaining, although at those moments, I couldn't help but picture the characters in black and white.

One of the most interesting aspects of the book was the wonderful musings on mortality. It made me stop and think about the meaning and brevity of life.

Bruno, the main character, was not a very likeable person, but he was undoubtedly worth meeting. His complex personality and actions added depth and intrigue to the story.

Overall, this Murdoch novel was an interesting read, and I look forward to exploring more of her works in the future.

Boring, it was a slog. The day seemed to stretch on forever, filled with nothing but monotony and tedium. There was no excitement, no spark to light up the dullness. Every task felt like a chore, a never-ending cycle of the same old thing. I found myself constantly looking at the clock, hoping for time to pass more quickly. But it seemed to move at a snail's pace, taunting me with its slowness. I tried to find ways to make the time more bearable, but nothing seemed to work. I was stuck in a rut, and there was no way out. It was a truly miserable experience, one that I hope never to repeat.

My first Murdoch novel! I had only seen the moving film "Iris" with Kate Winslet and Judi Dench but had never held a book from her extensive body of work in my hands. Intense and agile portraits of the feelings and drastic changes in perspective and emotions of the characters in this novel. From this first encounter with Iris Murdoch, I am left with the certainty that her art is complex and multi-faceted. Therefore, I keep thinking about Bruno, in his dreamy, raw, hazy, surreal and very human story, who is walking towards the moment of physical death. And how the small cast of characters so close to him also die in some way and are transformed, or simply blossom in unexpected and impactful ways for themselves. The events here occur within, in the mind... And yet they hook you as a reader. I hope to have the opportunity in the future to read Bruno's Dream in the original language of its author, English.

Not my cup of tea.

I simply couldn't relate to the spoiled, self-centred, and fickle characters in this story. Their constant ability to fall in and out of love for no particular reason seemed rather absurd to me.

I found myself reading this book only a couple of pages at a time, as I just couldn't get fully engaged.

Even if I had tried to read it all in one go, I don't think my enjoyment level would have increased.

The characters' actions and emotions felt so detached from reality that it was difficult for me to invest any interest in their story.

Perhaps this type of literature is not suited to my taste, as I prefer more relatable and down-to-earth characters and plots.

Overall, this book was a disappointment for me.

Miles appears to be an absolute bore, making his impact on women highly unlikely. The same goes for Danby and Will. There are numerous such revelations of desperate love that it becomes increasingly difficult to keep them straight. Moreover, half of the book is filled with people meticulously, endlessly, and improbably agonizing over their moral obligations (as if!).

Having said that, I can envision Tim Burton animating it as a compelling adult fairy tale, featuring unattractive spiderpeople puppets beneath Bruno, the spider-puppet king.

The flood scene is indeed dramatic, yet the stamps and the duel ultimately prove to be somewhat underwhelming.

I hadn't read any of Iris Murdoch's books since my graduate school book group's days in the 1980s.

Reading this particular work now has truly been an eye-opening experience. It vividly reminds me of all that I've been missing out on for such a long time.

This novel, in its own unique way, bears a striking resemblance to Shakespeare's Midsummer Night's Dream. The confusion that prevails in the constantly shifting scenes is palpable.

The characters are not only interesting but also find themselves in the throes of unrequited love. Each one is in love with someone who doesn't return their affections, creating a web of complex emotions and relationships.

It's a captivating exploration of the human heart and the follies that come with love.

Inteligent as the story is, it engages the reader on multiple levels and leaves a lasting impression.

I'm truly glad to have rediscovered the magic of Iris Murdoch's writing.

Like all of Murdoch's works, it sometimes has a magical touch and theatrical and funny twists.

Perhaps it is the best one to start reading.

Her writing style is unique, filled with rich descriptions and complex characters.

The stories she weaves are not only entertaining but also thought-provoking.

Murdoch has a remarkable ability to create vivid worlds that draw the reader in and keep them engaged from beginning to end.

This particular work is no exception.

It offers a captivating introduction to her body of work and is sure to leave readers eager to explore more of her books.

Whether you are a long-time fan of Murdoch or new to her writing, this is a great place to start.

You will be charmed by her storytelling and the magical elements that she incorporates into her narratives.

So, pick up this book and prepare to be transported into a world of imagination and wonder.

4.5/5 stars


I truly liked Bruno’s Dream. However, it is not my absolute favorite among Murdoch’s extensive collection of books. I haven’t had the opportunity to read The Sea yet, but in this particular work, as well as in another one of her books that I’ve read, I’ve noticed that water plays a remarkably big part or serves as a major metaphor.

According to the brief bio provided at the end of the book, Murdoch and her husband Bailey had a great love for swimming. I’m inclined to assume that this passion for swimming is one of the main reasons why water holds such significance for her.

I have a profound admiration for her intellectual dexterity and her masterful use of philosophy in her writing. It adds a layer of depth and complexity that makes her books truly engaging and thought-provoking.

Overall, while Bruno’s Dream may not be my top pick, it still showcases Murdoch’s remarkable talent as a writer and her unique perspective on life and the human condition.

A good character-based novel with surprising plot twists awaits the readers. Bruno, who is 90 years old and in poor health, has a strong desire to speak to his son Miles. However, Bruno and Miles haven't communicated for many years. Bruno's daughter Gwen was married to Danby, but unfortunately, Gwen passed away in her 50s. Now, Danby manages Bruno's successful printing business and lives with Bruno, along with Nigel, a nurse who takes care of Bruno, and a housekeeper named Adelaide.

Miles' first wife was an Indian, and initially, Bruno didn't approve of her. Sadly, she died in a plane flight while going to visit her parents in India, very early in her marriage to Miles. Eventually, Miles married Diane, who has been an excellent organiser and housekeeper in their marriage. Now, Diane's sister Lisa returns from India to live with Miles and Diane. And when Lisa discloses that she is in love, the story takes an interesting turn!

Those readers who are new to Iris Murdoch should begin with 'The Black Prince' or 'The Bell'. Murdoch fans, on the other hand, are sure to find this novel an enjoyable and entertaining reading experience.

This book was shortlisted for the 1970 Booker Prize, which is a testament to its quality and literary value.

**Now is the Season of Our Discount Tents**

**Bruno's Dream**: A Shakespearean-Inspired Tale

"Bruno's Dream" is a captivating Shakespearean comedic exploration of old age and death. If given the choice between "Lear" and "Measure for Measure" on Desert Island Disks, I'd opt for the Duke over the King, as would Murdoch, valuing less pomposity and more grit.

Bruno, an octogenarian, is not just a failure but an epic one, as his 11-year-old granddaughter might put it. His important relationships are in tatters due to what he deems as trivial faux pas, like the affair with a gold digger and an unfortunate racial slur about his daughter-in-law. He understands those who don't quite get what's happening, saying, "Of course they all caused him pain, all the time, they just could not help it." His regrets lie in the pastness of things, not in their occurrence, as he laments, "The women were all young while he aged like Tithonus" (referencing "Midsummer Night's Dream"). However, there's no need for despair as better communication could potentially fix things.

Murdoch's descriptions of the details of aged concerns are priceless. For instance, Bruno's preparations for a trip to the toilet are painstakingly detailed: "Of course it wasn't absolutely necessary to put on the dressing gown now that it wasn't winter any more, but it represented a challenge. It was quite easy, really. The left hand held the bed post while the right lifted down the dressing gown and with the same movement slid itself a little into the right sleeve. The right hand lifted on high, the sleeve runs down the arm. Then the right hand rests flat against the door a little above shoulder height, while the left leaves the bed post and darts into the left-arm hole. If the left is not quick enough the dressing gown falls away toward the floor, hanging from the right shoulder. It then has to be slowly relinquished and left lying. There was no getting anything up off the floor." My own morning routine of putting on trousers is somewhat similar.
Bruno's only interests are stamps and spiders, and he has an unpleasant smell. But he has one great end-of-life desire: "when you're my age there's not much left except you want to be loved." The mystical Puck-like Nigel, who "exists to be imposed upon," is Bruno's primary caretaker. Nigel is more or less mad but unselfishly devoted to Bruno. Nigel is the twin of Will, a handyman/pornographer/actor who quotes, "How absolute the knave is!" of himself from "Hamlet." The stage is thus set for a "Comedy of Errors" filled with farcical confusion.
Adelaide, the housekeeper, is the cousin of the twins and the lover of the caddish Danby, Bruno's son-in-law. Danby is the heir presumptive unless Miles, Bruno's son, an unsuccessful poet and middling civil servant, becomes un-estranged. Miles's wife Diana, a bored middle-class housewife, completes the cast. All the characters have "somehow missed the bus of life." The plot gains its own momentum from this web of relationships.
For Nigel, "real worship involves waiting." For everyone else, there are rituals - in love affairs, personal confessions, marital deceptions, curmudgeonly ire, apologies, the resentful anger of spurned love, and all the little set-piece battles of English mores. All these rituals are played out in the face of death, whether imminent or not. One of the cast remarks, "Death contradicts ownership and self. If only one knew that all along." And yet, "It was a mere convention after all that one ought to be on good terms with one's son or father. Sons and fathers were individuals and should be paid the compliment of being treated as such. Why should they not have the privilege, possessed by other and unrelated persons, of drifting painlessly apart?" If ritual is what constitutes love, can it bring any consolation when death is taken seriously?
Ritual and duty have an odd relationship. Duties demand ritual - the male works, the female keeps house; religious obligations are fulfilled through liturgical group actions; condolences are offered through rote ceremonies and phrases; seasonal gifts are exchanged. But it's as if ritual is required to undermine ritual when duties are to be ignored - the seduction/flirtation game; the routines of civil religion; the legal rituals of divorce. Is love a duty? A mere duty? Does ritual promote or destroy love? My take on Murdoch is that this is her point in "Bruno's Dream." She has some interesting suggestions.

Conclusion
"Bruno's Dream" is a complex and thought-provoking work that delves into the themes of old age, death, love, and ritual. Murdoch's masterful storytelling and exploration of these themes make it a must-read for anyone interested in Shakespearean-inspired literature and the human condition.

Extraordinaria novela.

The characters in this novel are truly very interesting, just like all those I have known from this writer.

It is not the most original or entertaining plot, but it is indeed the most well-rounded novel that I have read by Iris Murdoch.

The story unfolds in a way that keeps the reader engaged from beginning to end.

The characters are developed with great depth and complexity, making them feel real and relatable.

Although the plot may not be overly exciting or full of surprises, it has a certain charm and appeal that draws the reader in.

I would highly recommend this novel to anyone who enjoys good literature and wants to explore the works of Iris Murdoch.

It is a great addition to any bookshelf and is sure to provide hours of enjoyable reading.

Overall, it is a novel that I thoroughly enjoyed and would read again.

I'm not actually sure what I read.

The characters in it all very much lack impulse control. They seem to act without thinking, which leads to a lot of chaos and drama.

Otherwise, there wasn't much that I thought Bruno dreamed up. I hope he didn't. At nearly ninety, this cluttered romantic thing that doesn't involve himself is a horrible thing to dream of.

Anyway, most of the characters were unlikable. Their predicaments were utterly stupid. It was hard to feel sorry for them when they brought so much trouble on themselves.

But I still had a semblance of fun reading it. Perhaps because I thought it was ridiculous. The whole story was so over-the-top and unbelievable that it was almost comical.

I did like Danby a little. He was the only character who seemed to have any sense. So I was glad that he got his Hollywood ending. It was a nice little touch in an otherwise crazy story.