Your Daily Penguin: Iris Murdoch!

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[@pamelajarvis7728]

I loved A Word Child which I read when very young but rarely hear it mentioned among her novels recommended. It has stayed with me as has The Bell. I will also revisit her writing after seeing this video thanks Steve. “Ambiance “ is the word as you say!

[@carolynmorgan6033]

I loved The Sea The Sea. I can see how it could feel overwritten, but I didn't mind. I thought the unreliable narrator was done so skillfully, and it hit some personal notes for me so much so that at times I felt like she was writing about someone I know personally. I am sure that swayed my love of it as it was so relatable. I have The Black Prince and a few others on my shelf waiting to be read.

[@Jack-dt9nu]

I studied The Bell in school and hated studying it, but on reading it for pleasure after the exam fell in love with it. The Sea, The Sea is her masterwork of the few I've read so far. The Black Prince is next on the list.

[@ramblingraconteur1616]

My window into Iris Murdoch was AS Byatt, and I’m not sure how that affects my reading of her novels. I did find The Black Prince interesting, particularly the weird connections to Hamlet, without loving the book. I think she explores a handful of themes across the dozens of books, so I find that multi year gap between reading her books helps ensure I finish them. The Unicorn and The Green Knight were slightly more enjoyable than Black Prince.

[@MartianManhunter1987]

I've read Under The Net and The Bell by Iris and this one will be next. Not to spoil anything, but there's a character called Michael in The Bell who is unpacked with such complexity and skill I found remarkable. Ostensibly, he isn't the main character but he's the most fleshed out of the book I thought. I liked The Bell more than Under The Net only due to a predilection for the more languid, precise novel. Under The Net is a more frenetic novel, where Iris thrusts the characters into set-pieces rather than takes her time assiduously unravelling them. Still a good novel, I just preferred the meticulously crafted, almost ethereal atmosphere conjured up in The Bell, deepening the power of the aforementioned penetrating character study represented through Michael.

[@claudiaferreira585]

I loved Bruno's Dream and The Bell

[@OldBluesChapterandVerse]

The Sea, The Sea is a favorite of mine. So much lovely, thoughtful prose in that book. Have you read John Bayley’s memoir Elegy for Iris?

[@therealignotus7549]

Vintage just released 5 of her novels in a celebration of a Landmark/her birthdays(?).

[@scallydandlingaboutthebooks]

I am rather enjoying the unpredictability of the shelf now. This was interesting as I read a load of Murdoch years ago but have had no inclination to revisit her. I don't know why. When you do, tell me if I should.

[@Nastya-uj9bg]

the black prince bored so much i had to bail

[@OttoIncandenza]

You're very calm in this video compared to your others hahaha

[@jsolis8361]

I wish i could afford a library like that one you have there.

[@saintdonoghue]

I didn't buy it all at once! That library was bought $1 a book over 200 years!

[@jimmytouchdown7146]

Nice review Steve. Thanks for the touchup (brows) you were starting to scare the women and children who watch the channel. Moreover, a little dippity doo and a finger-drag qualify as manscaping. Thanks again Bruh, you rock.

[@danieljones2285]

You are miserable

[@jimmytouchdown7146]

@@danieljones2285 dont be rude. im steves number one fan. re-read and adjust.