One of these days I’ll learn my lesson about Iris Murdoch. I’ve delved into 5 or 6 of her books, and The Sea, The Sea is the solitary one that I’ve truly relished. However, even that one was overly long.

In this novel, Jake Donaghue, the lead and self-absorbed character, initially emerged as an intriguing figure. But alas, he rapidly devolved into being rather dull – and that’s a significant issue when he’s the focal point of the book.

This novel had, for me, quite a number of drawbacks right from the start. Firstly, I’m seldom a devotee of writers penning about writers. They often tend to overly glorify the entire writing practice, even though Jake doesn’t seem to engage in any writing whatsoever. Secondly, Murdoch quickly slipped into her customary groove of page after page of dense philosophical discourse that brought all sense of momentum in the book to a grinding halt. Thirdly, written farce is incredibly arduous to execute successfully. Even Waugh often struggles to know when to cease. Fourthly, it’s fixated on London, in which I have scant to no interest. The detailed meanderings that might delight a cockney cabbie were nothing but meaningless gibberish to me.

The silver lining was that Murdoch’s dialogue was more plausible than in the other books I’ve perused of hers.

This sort of novel slows my reading pace to that of a snail. I might have set it aside had it not been part of the Guardian 1000 list.

All in all, I was left yearning that I’d been engrossed in a book about the Quentin sisters rather than about Donaghue.

Just everything about this book is truly remarkable.

It is a hilarious and picaresque adventure that takes the reader on a wild ride. At the same time, it is also profound, exploring deep themes and emotions. The melancholy and moving moments tug at the heartstrings, making the reader truly connect with the story and the characters.

Her writing is simply amazing. The descriptions are so vivid that you can almost see the scenes playing out in front of your eyes. The Paris sections, in particular, were breathtaking, painting a beautiful and romantic picture of the city.

The character arc is just so so so good. You can really see the growth and development of the characters throughout the story, which makes it all the more engaging.

This is a fabulous book that I would highly recommend to anyone. It is so satisfying, leaving you with a sense of fulfillment and a desire to read it again.

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It is said to be Murdoch's first novel. I can say that it is a quite skillful work for a first novel. There is no such amateurish air at all. In fact, the author is not doing anything different in this novel either. He skillfully deals with the complex relationships and behavior patterns of people and weaves his novel around these relationships as if he is weaving the Net mentioned in the title of the book. Maybe it's not a Black Prince, but it's a very decent, original novel.

Murdoch shows great talent in描绘 the intricate web of human interactions. The characters in the novel are vivid and their relationships are full of twists and turns. Through their stories, the author explores the depths of human nature and the complexity of social connections.

The writing style of the novel is also quite engaging. The author uses vivid language and detailed descriptions to bring the story to life. The plot unfolds gradually, keeping the reader's interest until the very end.

Overall, Murdoch's first novel is a remarkable achievement. It shows that he has the potential to become a great writer. I look forward to reading more of his works in the future.

This is a truly enchanting novel that offers a delightful reading experience. It is almost like a picaresque adventure, filled with a cast of diverse and interesting characters.

Our narrator embarks on a journey, meandering from one place to another in London. Along the way, we encounter various individuals. There are charming ladies, a bookie, mimes, and a wealthy dabbler who has a passion for designing fireworks.

There is also a mysterious lady who runs a shop, and who might just surprise you by transforming into a cat right before your eyes. And perhaps there is even a portrait of an artist hidden within the story.

This novel is both entertaining and strange, with its unique blend of humor, eccentricity, and charm. It is the perfect read for the present moment, transporting you to a world full of wonder and excitement.

Whether you are a lover of London, a dog enthusiast, or simply someone who enjoys a good story, this novel is sure to captivate your imagination and leave you with a smile on your face.

Iris Murdoch is an extremely talented writer who excels in crafting contemplative and philosophical novels. Her debut work is no exception, and it also has a great sense of humor.

The story follows the meanderings of a young man named Jake as he makes his way through London. Along the way, we are privy to his thoughts and his efforts to understand those around him. Jake, however, is not particularly adept at connecting with others. His world is very much centered around himself. He is self-centered in the way that many young men can be, not out of pure selfishness, but rather because he struggles to empathize, despite his best efforts. This unique combination of qualities makes Jake both irritating and endearing, and ultimately, completely authentic.

Murdoch's ability to create such a complex and relatable character in her first novel is truly remarkable. It sets the stage for the many wonderful works that would follow, and cements her place as one of the greats of modern literature.

You simply can't afford to spend an inordinate amount of time trying to fully understand Iris Murdoch. It's far better to just immerse yourself in her work. Her characters are essentially crazy, and so are her plots and sentences. They have a powerful tidal effect that pulls you right under.

"Under the Net" reminds me of Martin Amis's "Money," or perhaps more accurately, "Money" reminds me of it. Both feature amoral protagonists in the entertainment industry and are completely nuts. In fact, I think "Money" might be a little better. It's definitely more intense, which is quite astonishing considering how far Murdoch has already gone beyond most others.

She published this, her first novel, in 1954, just before the equally unhinged "On the Road" blew up the Beats. She was Irish, and as we all know, Irish novelists have a certain reputation. (There has been recent discussion: "Has there ever been a sane Irish author?")

As far as the plot goes, it follows Jake Donaghue through a series of misadventures. He kidnaps a dog, schemes to get money while stubbornly turning down every opportunity to obtain it, gets drunk, and discusses philosophy and socialism. The most memorable character, perhaps, is the dog.

Murdoch is not my absolute favorite author. I like her, but I'm not desperate to read every single one of her books. However, I do plan to read some of them! Her works seem to be on the verge of bursting at the seams. She's completely off on her own unique journey, and you're not invited to participate; you can only watch. She's distinct, which is why I like her. Some books are like marathons, some like sprints, and hers are like meandering chases through side streets. After reading, you're left out of breath, sweaty, with a pulled hamstring, and not sure if you lost the person chasing you or not.

El lenguaje despertando al ingenio (Comentario, 2023)

This is the first novel of Iris Murdoch, as I read on the back cover, and it shows: those excessive choruses capable of breaking the patience of the mediocre reader are not there yet, nor is that ability to synthesize to suggest condensed images of multiple symbols, nor the baroque fluency where the dance of dozens of characters achieves its tactile choreography. Yes, not yet, but already the intensity, already the humor, already the carefreeness to assume a world where only love can save us from the pain of existing.

Here is Murdoch. She has not yet realized that it is the third person voice that will allow her to narrate as she wants to narrate. Bajo la red is in the first person, which restricts the possibilities of the author. Now, as a debut, it is astonishing. Her characters from here are already unforgettable. Her strength to point out the contradictions of the spirit is intact.

What comes next is pure improvement on a style of overwhelming entry.

Reading Murdoch is a particular joy. Please feel it, sometime.

Iris Murdoch had remained completely off my literary radar until quite recently when I came across her in "The Women Are Up to Something."

She was one of the four women philosophers profiled who defied the orthodoxy of logical positivism at Oxford, playing a crucial role in laying the foundation for moral philosophy. Eventually, she departed from the academic realm and chose to explore philosophical concepts through the medium of storytelling.

A few weeks ago, I found out that this early novel of hers was included in the expanded "Ultimate List of 157 Novels to Read Before You Die." This discovery led me to decide to give it a try.

I firmly believe that this book can be thoroughly enjoyed even by those who are not cognizant of the philosophical dilemmas that Murdoch was grappling with during the time of its writing. However, being aware of these aspects does indeed enhance my appreciation for it. Bionic Jean penned a truly remarkable review that elucidated all the fascinating details that I might have otherwise overlooked. The link to the review is https://www.goodreads.com/review/show....

Overall, my encounter with Iris Murdoch and her work has been a most enlightening and enjoyable experience.

A lot of fun.

Beautifully written.

It does feel like a first novel though.

Not sure if the philosophising - mostly about people’s need to create a global theory for things that happen to them - really merged successfully into the story.

Another thing was the really absurd coincidences in the plot.

This could’ve been intentional, like in Lodge’s Small World, but it wasn’t clear if this was so or why.

Still, there were moments of incredible insight, which could inspire you to see the world differently or even ‘be in the world’ differently.

I’m pretty happy if a novel does that for me.

Overall, despite its flaws, this novel has its charm. The engaging writing style makes it a pleasure to read. The author's attempt at philosophising adds depth to the story, although it may not be fully integrated. The absurd coincidences in the plot, while a bit puzzling, also add an element of mystery.

Those moments of incredible insight are truly the highlights of the book. They have the power to make you stop and think, and perhaps even change your perspective on life.

I would recommend this novel to anyone who enjoys a good read and is open to new ideas and perspectives.

It may not be a perfect novel, but it definitely has something to offer.

2.75 stars

My first encounter with Murdoch in several years, and perhaps it wasn't the wisest choice to pick her first novel. Published in 1954, it is set in 1950s London and features an eclectic group of Bohemian characters. The narrator, Jake, a hack writer, embarks on a series of rather picaresque adventures.

As expected from Murdoch, there is a significant amount of philosophy scattered throughout the story. One of the characters is a philosopher, and references to Beckett and Queneau add depth to the intellectual氛围. The net mentioned in the title represents a net of abstraction, generalization, and theory. In fact, the title is explained by a quote from the eponymous character's own book: "All theorizing is flight. We must be ruled by the situation itself and this is unutterably particular here. Indeed it is something to which we can never get close enough, however hard we may try as it were to crawl under the net."

The plot is best left undescribed in detail. Jake is constantly in search of someone but rarely succeeds. His relationship with the law is rather tangential, and as is typical of Murdoch, contingency plays a prominent role. He remarks, "There are some parts in London which are necessary and others which are contingent. Everywhere west of Earls Court is contingent, except for a few places along the river. I hate contingency. I want everything in my life to have a sufficient reason."

Throughout her writing, Murdoch emphasizes the importance of the accidental, the unpredictable, and the messiness of life. Jake experiences all of this in abundance. There are some excellent minor characters, such as Mrs Tinckham, the chain-smoking cat lover who owns a newsagents shop. Her description is vivid: "In the midst sits Mrs Tinckham herself, smoking a cigarette. She is the only person I know who is literally a chain-smoker. She lights each one from the butt of the last; how she lights the first one of the day remains a mystery to me, for she never seems to have any matches in the house when I ask her for one."

Mars, the aged Alsatian, also makes a memorable appearance. However, Jake is rather self-centered and unlikeable, much like many of Murdoch's leading men. Spending most of the book in his company can be a bit tiresome. He says, "I am myself a sort of professional Unauthorized Person; I am sure I have been turned out of more places than any other member of the English intelligentsia."

In a way, Jake is on a journey of self-discovery, but despite the novel's relatively short length of about 250 pages, he seems to take an inordinately long time to do so. It's not all bad, though. The well-drawn minor characters and the entertaining picaresque elements (which are probably contingent) add some charm to the story.

Containing all the requisite hilarity and pathos of a first novel, Murdoch truly shines. Where others might falter, she manages to succeed. She has a unique approach of aiming at one person and finding half-measures. This interesting strategy translates into a fleeting philosophy that, while perhaps not bringing about a great deal of transformation, still holds a certain charm. It's this charm that will likely spur me to read more of Murdoch's books over the summer. I'm eager to explore the other works she has created and see if they possess the same captivating qualities. Her ability to blend humor and sadness in such a way is truly remarkable, and I can't wait to see what else she has in store for her readers.