Iris Murdoch was born in Dublin and studied in Oxford. She is one of the great figures in English literature of the 20th century.

In "The Dream of Bruno", she narrates the decline of Bruno's life. Bruno is an old man confined to his bed, seeing the days pass like a countdown. He takes the opportunity to recall his life and close old wounds. So, he comes up with the idea of reconnecting with his son, with whom he has not spoken for years. What has fascinated me most about Murdoch's style is the use of focalization. The way she knows how to give importance to each character, soak in their way of being and perceiving the world, and portray it through an exemplary narrative. Rarely does it happen to me that I have to stop to read and reread the depth of a sentence, the beauty of the image. I recognize that I have a tendency to read "too" fast. But with Iris, it is impossible because her narrative force obliges you to stay on her lines, to savor them because the flavor grows on the reader's palate as they delight in them more.

The only thing that seemed complicated to me in the novel was the way of articulating a plot in which the characters fall in and out of love with a certain ease that results in... almost being unbelievable. But even so, the narrative force manages to sustain the novel. And boy, does it manage.

An author I have long wanted to read and to whom I will probably dedicate my next readings.

**Original Article**: The importance of exercise cannot be overemphasized. It helps maintain a healthy body and mind. Regular physical activity can reduce the risk of various diseases.

**Expanded Article**:

The importance of exercise simply cannot be overemphasized.

Exercise is truly a remarkable activity that has a profound impact on both our physical and mental well-being.

When we engage in regular physical activity, our bodies are able to function at their optimal level. It helps to strengthen our muscles, improve our cardiovascular health, and increase our overall stamina.

Moreover, exercise also plays a crucial role in maintaining a healthy mind. It can reduce stress, anxiety, and depression, and improve our mood and cognitive function.

In addition, regular exercise can significantly reduce the risk of various diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and certain types of cancer.

By making exercise a part of our daily routine, we are taking an important step towards a healthier and happier life.

Man is a fairly predictable animal.

If we take a moment to reflect on ourselves over the course of a lifetime, it becomes quite evident that we seem to exist in a loop. New Year's resolutions, for example, are a classic case. We make them with great enthusiasm and determination at the start of the year, only to forget about them or abandon them a few weeks or months later. Ha.

But it's not just our behavior that seems to follow a pattern. The thread of who we were at six years old appears to last as long as we do. Our personalities, our interests, our fears and dreams - they all seem to have their roots in our childhood. And yes, this speculation is not unique. The same sentiment has been observed long before Adam (no, but that does not make sense) and has been reported to us by various cogent minds.

I seem to tread where smart Irish people go. And I do not know why. It is organic for me, not contrived or intended. It just happens. Over and over. Toss a brogue on the lawn and I will fetch it. Wrap it up in a female from Cork and I am suddenly powerless. I tacitly submit.

In fact, I know of three young ladies, I can never stop thinking of them, who are, naturally, half-Irish. The other half? Descendants of Moishe or Schmuley, the Baal Shem Tov or Jack Benny. My thought is this; -ish and -ish go together just like corned beef and cabbage, on rye with lots of mustard.

Iris surely can fill up a page with words. Lots of pages. I say banana and she says, “the golden yellow fruit that has not yet succumbed to the earth from where it originated and is a favorite of a particular group of simians and is high in potassium, continuously sung by Harry Belafonte.” Day-o, me say day-o.

Anyway, what has this to do with Bruno? Who knows?

Occam's razor: It seems to me that what this fine writer intended to impart was that we are all about ourselves. And about perceptions and misperceptions. Being human.

And if I am wrong? So what? I live in Pogonip, south (or north) of Clueless.

Iris Murdoch wrote an interesting if not a somewhat prolix tale.

Death, dream, and love are the themes that form the framework within which I accompanied the lives of the characters who are connected to each other like spider webs while reading the book. The fact that none of the characters are idealized and all of them have their flaws, feel regrets, made me feel human. The lives of all the characters intersect at a certain point, and the things I thought were impossible, no longer exist. It managed to surprise me. I finished the book in astonishment, in a blend of philosophy and a Brazilian series. Frankly, I liked it. It was like a theater script. In each section, there are events upon events, and the witty dialogues of the characters. It's the first book by the author that I've read. The fact that he is Irish is also a heartbreaker.

"Why doesn't a human ever see dead birds? How do they all manage to hide to die?" (49).

"Love is a strange thing. There is no doubt that it is the only thing that turns the world. Our only important activity. Everything else outside of it is dust, clanging bells, and heartaches. But on the other hand, it is also known how much of a plague it is. How it creates the impossible in the imagination, clings to the feet of the unattainable. The idea that everyone can love everyone else as they wish is a strange one. There is nothing in nature that prohibits this. Cats can look at kings, the worthless can love the good, the worthless can love the worthless, the good can love the good. And... look: the great light may be shining, perhaps revealing the truth or perhaps leading us astray." (235).

"I think a human becomes like the thing he loves, or a human loves the thing that is like himself. All gods are personal gods." (88).

A book centered on an old man was always likely to be one that I was inclined to like. However, in the initial chapters of Bruno’s Dream, I wasn't particularly captivated. After reading the third chapter involving Nigel, I was distinctly worried that this book would lead me in a direction I didn't wish to follow. There are resemblances to An Unofficial Rose with its themes of unrequited love and past tragedies, and that isn't one of my favorite Murdoch novels. There are also reminders of A Severed Head, which is one of my favorites. Even though there is the same absurdity in the love triangles, affairs, and mild stalking that occur, this one lacks the humor of that one. Moreover, there is an element of poignancy, especially in the final chapters, that made this book rank much higher than expected.

Bruno is actually in the background for a significant portion of the book. Instead, the novel focuses on Danby, his son-in-law, and the others who care for Bruno, such as Adelaide the maid and Nigel, who remains an enigma throughout the entire book. Then there is Miles, Bruno’s son, Diana, Miles’ wife, Lisa her sister, and Will, Nigel’s twin, who completes the cast of characters. The book ostensibly explores how these seven people interact with one another and with Bruno in the streets of London, as this is very much a London book. The homes of Danby and Miles are beautifully described and contrast with each other, while the looming power station across the water from Bruno's room and the Thames below feel like an ominous River Styx and a dark watcher, waiting for Bruno to die. The incessant rain adds to this mood, and by the end of the book, it has finally stopped.

As always with Iris Murdoch novels, many of the characters are either unlikable, melancholic, or on the ‘kooky’ side. But in this one, most manage to evoke sympathy in some way or another, although the violent Will with his Hitler-like mustache might be pushing the limit. The book is filled with sadness and tragedy, some in the present in the form of unrequited love and mental abuse, but primarily in the past. Amidst the relationship drama and Shakespearean mistaken love and identity, there is a sense of coming to terms with what has been lost. Bruno himself, confined to his room, constantly thinks about the past and about dying, believing that life is the ‘dream’ and death is the reality.

The relationship drama can seem excessive, with exaggerated middle-class woes. But unlike A Severed Head, this one delves deeper into the heart of things, going beyond the affairs and witty remarks. It examines love, dying, and familial relationships, while Murdoch’s philosophical leanings occasionally shine through, and her wonderful writing creates scenes that stick in the mind, whether ridiculous or sublime.

Some Favorite lines:
‘There was the general restless itching aching unease of the body which could find no rest now and to which even sleep came like an anxious cloud trailing its twilight over tense knotted limbs.’
‘The spider spins its web, it can no other. I spin out my consciousness, this compulsive chatterer, this idle rambling voice that will so soon be mute. But it’s all a dream. Reality is too hard. I have lived my life in a dream and it is too late to wake up.’
‘How strange it was that when almost all the other functions of the body had dwindled and fallen away into the hand of nature the eyes had not surrendered their mysterious power to manufacture tears.’

It is well-known that the helpless human is forced to turn to his past and live through his thoughts. Bruno, a great elderly and sick man, resorts to thinking about his past relationships through his family, his wife and children. He longs to meet his son Miles, whom he has not seen for a long time. Years have passed.

The novel starts with a good idea and a strong style, but it struggles and loses its vitality in the middle. As we delve deeper into the reading, we explore the relationships of its characters and their entanglements in a closed circle of emotional relationships and problems with an emotional side that is often dominant. This is the reason for my boredom in following the story and my feeling that both of them and the unnecessary prolongation on the part of the author. It would have been better if she had shortened it or added an element to move the text.

Also, I did not like the author's insistence on ending the relationships with happiness most of the time, which led to a change in the perception of some characters, such as the character of Lisa, the practical and good one, who turned into an emotional and loving woman at the end of the novel. And the similarity of the ideas and goals of the characters, for example, Nigel decides to go to Calcutta, and Lisa also wanted to go there, although there is a strong relationship between the two characters. And the presence of the Indian element in the Hindu deity between Nigel's and Miles' ideas, and Nigel's strange and intimate knowledge of the ideas and homelands of others, which is his goal in the novel.

In the end, the novel returns to some of its strength by returning to Bruno with the awareness of his illness and his realization of the life that has passed like a dream despite its length, which made me realize that perhaps if the author had focused on Bruno's ideas or his realization of what surrounds him through his illness, it would have been more beautiful.

As gold is to the Midas-touch, so words are to the Murdoch-touch. This writer rounds up words so keenly - beautiful constructions do result. After finishing The Sea, The Sea last month, I officially began my Murdoch bender, and, oh, it isn’t over yet. I have just acquired The Philosopher’s Pupil, but first things first. Here are my impressions of Bruno’s Dream.

The concept of a dying old man yearning to find closure and understanding with his only living child was deeply captivating to me. However, this old man is a rather unappealing and needy figure. Besides his awkward and impatient attempts to reconcile, the lack of redeeming qualities marks his character. Somehow, whatever ails him (aside from old age) has horribly distorted him.

The cutlery of Murdoch’s character development is devilishly excellent. There is no one we truly love and no one we actually loathe. Each character has a ball and chain firmly attached to their heart, the baggage they have dragged through life. Then, through Bruno's desire to make amends, crazy things start to occur. They each experience a personal crisis that loosens each ball and chain, causing them to change.

We can identify with each of these characters, to a certain extent, which is what casts the spell so effectively. Okay, the creepy, elfin-like, and puzzling Nigel is an exception. I didn't like him and can't envision anyone who would.

It's possible that there are too many characters. It's also possible that the zany channeling of Twelfth Night-like switcheroos becomes tiresome. But, with quotes like this sprinkled throughout each page, I can overlook those minor annoyances:

“Brooding about the past is so often about how one might have won and resentment that one didn’t. It is that resentment which one so often mistakes for repentance.”

You will be touched by this book.

Iris, iris, iris, how wonderful you are!

You come in a variety of colors, each one more enchanting than the last.

The deep purple irises seem to hold a mystery within them, while the soft pastels bring a sense of delicacy and charm.

Irises can be found in gardens, adding a splash of color and beauty to any landscape.

They are also used in flower arrangements, creating stunning displays that are sure to catch the eye.

Whether you are a gardener or simply someone who appreciates the beauty of nature, irises are sure to bring a smile to your face.

So the next time you see an iris, take a moment to stop and admire its beauty.

You'll be glad you did.

I hope that the translator is alive and reads these words of mine.

The translation is a major part of the beauty of this novel.

It is essential for the translator to accurately convey the meaning and essence of the original text.

A good translation can bring the story to life and make it accessible to a wider audience.

It requires not only a deep understanding of both languages but also a sensitivity to the cultural and literary nuances.

The translator's work is like a bridge that connects different cultures and allows readers to experience the beauty of a foreign novel.

Therefore, I have high expectations for the translator and look forward to seeing a wonderful translation of this novel.

I had never delved into the works of Iris Murdoch prior to this, yet I held certain anticipations. However, what I encountered was not at all what I had foreseen, and that was in a delightfully pleasant manner!!

The characters within this book are delightfully quirky, each with their own unique charm and idiosyncrasies. There are several unexpected situations that continuously keep the reader on the edge of their seat, eagerly turning the pages to see what will happen next. AND, to top it all off, it's actually quite funny! I simply had no idea that Iris Murdoch was such a talented writer. It truly seems as if she had a great deal of fun while penning this particular piece.

I wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone looking for an engaging, entertaining, and thoroughly enjoyable read. So, go ahead and give it a try. I'm confident you'll love it as much as I did. Enjoy! :)

Iris Murdoch has an enormous ability to shape the troubled psyches of her novel's heroes within complex and strange relationships. And although the psyches of some of the novel's heroes are strange, they are still real, characters who resemble us in one way or another.

It is a remarkable psychological and philosophical novel, with reflections on life and death, love and relationships.

Bruno, the hero of the novel, reflects on his past as he prepares, and in the end he asks about the possibility of retrieving the past to change it, the form of death, and his long life that passed like a quick dream.

And Miles, Bruno's son, turns the tragedy of the death of his first wife into a poem, so as not to go crazy from the excess of his tragedy, for the death of his wife seemed like a distant dream, a tragic poem.

The novel amazed me with the truth of its construction, narration, and idea. It was my first experience with Iris Murdoch.

A Slow Start to a Captivating Novel on Death and Dying

This novel begins rather slowly, but as it progresses, it evolves into a profound exploration of death and dying. However, some of the relationships depicted within the story seem a bit shallow. Despite this minor flaw, it is still a remarkable work by Murdoch.

The slow start might initially deter some readers, but those who persevere will be rewarded with a thought-provoking narrative. The author's exploration of death and dying is both sensitive and profound, delving into the complex emotions and experiences that surround these themes.

While the shallowness of some relationships could have been improved upon, it does not overshadow the overall quality of the novel. Murdoch's writing style is engaging and her characters are well-developed, making it easy for readers to become invested in their stories.

In conclusion, this novel is a must-read for fans of Murdoch and those interested in exploring the themes of death and dying. Despite its slow start and some minor flaws, it is a powerful and moving work that will leave a lasting impression.