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Original poster

Tough novelists ~ Iris Murdoch's The Unicorn

33 replies

WhisperTree · 16/10/2024 19:40

Having decided to explore British and Irish women novelists (midcentury to present) known for their tough, unsentimental style, I asked for recommendations on this forum and Iris Murdoch’s name came up. Fortunately, I already have lots of her books, so I’ve decided to re-read The Unicorn. Anyone up for a read-along and discussion?

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DiggoryVenn · 20/10/2024 19:13

The Unicorn was the first Iris Murdoch I read (English Lit reading list at uni) and I absolutely loved it. I have read it a couple of times since, but my retention for any kind of detail is shot (menopause brain).
I've just finished a book, I'll see if I still have a copy and try to join in.

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WhisperTree · 22/10/2024 08:45

DiggoryVenn · 20/10/2024 19:13

The Unicorn was the first Iris Murdoch I read (English Lit reading list at uni) and I absolutely loved it. I have read it a couple of times since, but my retention for any kind of detail is shot (menopause brain).
I've just finished a book, I'll see if I still have a copy and try to join in.

Thanks so much for joining me @DiggoryVenn Let me know if you find your copy and get started, and we'll touch base from time to time (meno brain allowing) Smile

I'm two chapters in, and it is truly striking how much my perspective has shifted since reading it in my 20s. Makes me wonder whether I was truly 'reading' at all, or just inhaling a stream of language.

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WhisperTree · 22/10/2024 08:51

p.s. samesies - another Engl Lit grad here!

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pasta · 22/10/2024 09:21

I love Iris Murdoch and haven't read this, I'll join you

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WhisperTree · 22/10/2024 09:22

pasta · 22/10/2024 09:21

I love Iris Murdoch and haven't read this, I'll join you

Excellent!Smile

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Bullaun · 22/10/2024 09:38

This was one of my favourite novels in my teens, but I’ve not revisited in the 35 odd years since! I wonder if it would stand up to a reread. I suspect not. I think I got a lot more impatient with IM’s novels which feature an ‘enchanter’ figure surrounded by acolytes in some kind of gothic setting as they got repeated over her career. The Sea, the Sea is pretty much a revisiting of the same territory.

Dappy777 · 22/10/2024 13:27

She's been on my to-read list for years. I was a huge fan of Aldous Huxley when I was young, and also Oscar Wilde – I love writers who are interested in ideas, and Murdoch seems to be that kind of writer. Just out of curiosity, is there anyone out there who has read both Huxley and Murdoch? How do they compare?

pasta · 22/10/2024 14:59

I've ordered it from the library so it might take a few days. Fingers crossed it arrives before I'm away over half term

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WhisperTree · 22/10/2024 19:46

Bullaun · 22/10/2024 09:38

This was one of my favourite novels in my teens, but I’ve not revisited in the 35 odd years since! I wonder if it would stand up to a reread. I suspect not. I think I got a lot more impatient with IM’s novels which feature an ‘enchanter’ figure surrounded by acolytes in some kind of gothic setting as they got repeated over her career. The Sea, the Sea is pretty much a revisiting of the same territory.

You read my mind @Bullaun - I found that archetypes-on-a-chess-board style so compelling in my 20s, but I wonder will it ring hollow now? I'm going to give my full attention to it and see how it lands.

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DiggoryVenn · 22/10/2024 19:48

I haven't read any Huxley unfortunately.

Great to have a few more opinions in the mix. I've found my copy (from October 1992)! I've read the first chapter and it strikes me how similar the mood is to the beginning of the Woman in Black.

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WhisperTree · 22/10/2024 19:48

Dappy777 · 22/10/2024 13:27

She's been on my to-read list for years. I was a huge fan of Aldous Huxley when I was young, and also Oscar Wilde – I love writers who are interested in ideas, and Murdoch seems to be that kind of writer. Just out of curiosity, is there anyone out there who has read both Huxley and Murdoch? How do they compare?

Novels of Ideas FTW @Dappy777 !

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WhisperTree · 22/10/2024 19:49

pasta · 22/10/2024 14:59

I've ordered it from the library so it might take a few days. Fingers crossed it arrives before I'm away over half term

Wonderful @pasta !

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WhisperTree · 22/10/2024 19:51

DiggoryVenn · 22/10/2024 19:48

I haven't read any Huxley unfortunately.

Great to have a few more opinions in the mix. I've found my copy (from October 1992)! I've read the first chapter and it strikes me how similar the mood is to the beginning of the Woman in Black.

I've had that Susan Hill book on my TBR for too long. Maybe I'll get to it as part of this journey through Brit & Irish women authors known for their stylistic toughness...

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pinkdelight · 23/10/2024 10:24

I re-read The Black Prince and A World Child now and again and they still stand up. I love how she nails the lack of self-awareness in her deluded male leads. Haven't read The Unicorn since my early 20s, so half a lifetime ago. Will see if I can dig it out.

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WhisperTree · 23/10/2024 13:31

pinkdelight · 23/10/2024 10:24

I re-read The Black Prince and A World Child now and again and they still stand up. I love how she nails the lack of self-awareness in her deluded male leads. Haven't read The Unicorn since my early 20s, so half a lifetime ago. Will see if I can dig it out.

Lol I'll be keeping an ear open for that delusion-skewering. Hope you find your copy too🙏

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Rereader · 23/10/2024 13:38

I’ve read one Murdoch book - The Philosopher’s Pupil - and I hated it! But I’d like to join, if it doesn’t bring the mood down too much if I end up constructively disliking this one too? I did find it very readable, just found the plot, characters and themes intensely irritating.

Huxley is one of my favourite authors, so if others find them similar I should definitely give Murdoch another chance.

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WhisperTree · 23/10/2024 14:26

Rereader · 23/10/2024 13:38

I’ve read one Murdoch book - The Philosopher’s Pupil - and I hated it! But I’d like to join, if it doesn’t bring the mood down too much if I end up constructively disliking this one too? I did find it very readable, just found the plot, characters and themes intensely irritating.

Huxley is one of my favourite authors, so if others find them similar I should definitely give Murdoch another chance.

By all means, give Murdoch another go, and critique away!

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WhisperTree · 30/10/2024 20:39

100 pages in...enjoying being in the middle

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DiggoryVenn · 30/10/2024 21:14

I've just finished Chapter 3, the chapter where she tries to swim. I love coming across my little underlinings from 1992 - "I'm beginning, even after five days to forget who I am".

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WhisperTree · 30/10/2024 21:30

DiggoryVenn · 30/10/2024 21:14

I've just finished Chapter 3, the chapter where she tries to swim. I love coming across my little underlinings from 1992 - "I'm beginning, even after five days to forget who I am".

Also appreciating my own underlinings from yonks ago, and occasional snarky marginalia!

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moonshinepoursthroughmywindow · 13/11/2024 10:15

I read a lot of Iris Murdoch when I was younger and enjoyed most of it. The Unicorn is one of the few I only read quite recently in my 50s. I didn't like it that much, but I can't be sure whether that was because of the specific plot and characters or because my tastes have changed. It's hard to explain what I didn't like about it without giving away spoilers, but I think it's probably fair to say I just didn't find it plausible that a major character couldn't find a way to change their situation. Nobody is that helpless unless they consciously choose to be.

For what it's worth, I love The Philosopher's Pupil, though possibly not for the reasons the author intended. I like the way it's a portrait of the whole town, with lots of minor characters (the way some of her books only contain about 8 characters altogether can feel a bit unrealistic) and I liked Brian's sarcasm and under-recognised nastiness - I've known someone a bit like him. And I liked the brief reference to characters from Under The Net, which I love.

pasta · 13/11/2024 10:43

I love Under the Net too. My copy of The Unicorn is still to arrive at the library OP!

HippyKayYay · 13/11/2024 14:16

I devoured most of Iris Murdoch's books when I was about 15, although not this one. I re-read my favourite at the time (The Bell) a few years ago, and while I enjoyed it, it didn't resonate (sorry, pun honestly not intended!) with me as it had 30+ years ago...

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WhisperTree · 14/11/2024 10:19

moonshinepoursthroughmywindow · 13/11/2024 10:15

I read a lot of Iris Murdoch when I was younger and enjoyed most of it. The Unicorn is one of the few I only read quite recently in my 50s. I didn't like it that much, but I can't be sure whether that was because of the specific plot and characters or because my tastes have changed. It's hard to explain what I didn't like about it without giving away spoilers, but I think it's probably fair to say I just didn't find it plausible that a major character couldn't find a way to change their situation. Nobody is that helpless unless they consciously choose to be.

For what it's worth, I love The Philosopher's Pupil, though possibly not for the reasons the author intended. I like the way it's a portrait of the whole town, with lots of minor characters (the way some of her books only contain about 8 characters altogether can feel a bit unrealistic) and I liked Brian's sarcasm and under-recognised nastiness - I've known someone a bit like him. And I liked the brief reference to characters from Under The Net, which I love.

Interesting. Thanks for avoiding spoilers. Will consider what you say as I read the final 50 pages🙏

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WhisperTree · 14/11/2024 10:20

pasta · 13/11/2024 10:43

I love Under the Net too. My copy of The Unicorn is still to arrive at the library OP!

No rush! Still time for you to readalong. Life intervened this weekend and I haven't returned to the book yet - too busy/hitting the hay early. Still have about 50 pages to go.

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