UKC

I listened to an episode of 'in our time' about Iris Murdoch and decided it's about time I tried one of her novels.

Any ideas of the best book for a newbie?

Thanks

They mentioned The Bell.

I have not read any of her stuff either. I remember a friend when I was a student who was an avid reader of hers, and she seemed more popular back then.

A long time ago I enjoyed An Unofficial Rose, The Black Prince and A Fairly Honourable Defeat.

The Sea the Sea seemed a bit long and self indulgent although it did win the Booker prize I think. 

I've read several of her books but mostly in my late teens/early twenties when I was a student (so 40 years ago). I enjoyed them at the time but I'm struggling to remember any that stood out as 'better' than the others.

So did I, and came to the opposite conclusion!  All that stuff about good, evil and judgement being objective features of reality turned me right off.

The Red and the Green was entirely enjoyable. One is reluctant to venture too far into the realm of literary criticism, but it was a clear step-up in sophistication from my then diet of Fleming, Forsythe and Ludlum.

But what could be more sophisticated than a well-tailored suit, fine whiskies and the Casino de Monte Carlo?

I did mean the writing!

Just kidding. I think the quality of Murdoch, at which Doug was possibly hinting, is reflected in the fact that despite reading almost her entire fiction oeuvre in my twenties, I can't recall the plot to a single book. A "writer of ideas" might be a kind assessment.

Thanks all, have plumped for 'the bell'. 

I can't remember any plots as such but one 'scene' that has stayed with me is a description of someone deliberately driving at speed into a car driving in the opposite direction on a country road as a way of commiting suicide. At least I think that was in one of her books.

Likewise, I read a few of her books in my late teens/early twenties and can’t recall a thing about any of them.