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Title: The Bell (Penguin Twentieth-Century Classics) by Iris Murdoch, A. S. Byatt ISBN: 0-14-118669-0 Publisher: Penguin USA (Paper) Pub. Date: 27 November, 2001 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $15.00 |
Average Customer Rating: 4.33 (12 reviews)
Rating: 5
Summary: A Gorgeous Book
Comment: The Bell is the only Murdoch novel I've really liked. I've read it, probably, dozens of times, and it improves with each read. The language is of a poetic quality - my test for this is that it's best when read out loud.
The theme of the book is the nature of human goodness, and the impossibility of human perfection. Murdoch was an Oxford Reader in Moral Philosophy at the time, and was well capable of producing a very dry account of this subject, but instead the book is a masterpiece of subtle comedy which gets its serious ideas across with great subtlety. The first two chapters, in particular, draw the reader into the life of the heroine with a piece of sustained artistry that is quite unparalleled, at least in my experience. It's a gorgeous piece of prose that I never tire of reading.
Dora, the heroine (and I use the term deliberately), is presented as a totally amoral being (and therefore, like the dog, without sin). She is incapable of deciding to "do the right thing", but also incapable of real wrong-doing. All the other characters are in some way struggling with their own moral turpitude, and in trying to intellectualize their struggle, accellerate their approaching doom. Dora meanwhile, guided only by her animal instincts, emerges as a Saint, cheered on at every stage by the reader (well, this reader at least). Furthermore, Dora's redemption occurs in spite of, rather than because of, the moral and intellectual strictures of Organised Religion. You cheer for Dora as she leaves the Chapel in disgust, just as you cheer for Austen's Elizabeth Bennet when she faces down Lady Catherine. It's that good!
The Bell of the title is a symbol of untrammelled female sexuality that resounds throughout the book. This theme is explored, ironically, in a plot which takes place around the grounds of a convent. There's a disturbing painting by Millais called "The Vale of Rest" that I think must have inspired Murdoch. The picture of nuns digging a grave is a wonderful image of Victorian male sexual terror (conceived, incidentally, by Millais on his honeymoon). In the backgound swings the bell. When moved, it must sound.
Apart from Dora, most of the other characters emerge from the events of the plot with their lives in ruins. Dora, in contrast, learns to value herself by finally detaching herself from the awful man she had married.
I'm very conscious of the fact that not all readers would share my interpretation of the book, and in all probability Murdoch didn't mean it that way. She was on record as saying that if she'd known how readers would feel about Dora's awful husband, she would have treated him more sympathetically. But the book is as it is, and as a description of the triumph of the Human Spirit over priests and pedants, it's just fine for me.
Incidentally, it was made into a very good television version by the BBC about 20 years ago. I hope they repeat it one day.
Rating: 4
Summary: Generally well constructed, enjoyable and thought provoking.
Comment: I am studying 'The Bell' for A Level English Literature along with 'The End of the Affair' by Graham Greene and 'Loitering with Intent' by Muriel Spark. I enjoyed 'The Bell' and the fact that it is very easy to read probably attributed to this. The relationships between many of the characters worked well, especially between Michael and Nick. The links then between this relationship and Michael's feelings for Toby was also well constructed. Dora, as the main protaganist, is very skillfully developed and many parts of the book are written from her point of view. Another point which deserves praise is Murdoch's excellent physical description of Imber, this made the place seem realistic and also supports the intended images of the characters, for example Nick. Catherine is probably the only character that did not fully work, however this is mainly true towards the end. The plot is interesting and moves at a resonable pace with the main charaters becoming increasingly intriging. However, the book could be looked at on a deeper, more philosphical/religious level with characters such as the Abbess playing more of a symbolic part than the others. This is a book about community and the strive for perfection. The characters, though all very different, have a common need for salvation and through Imber have hope for this despite their pasts. 'The Bell' is enjoyable on several levels, it is both sad and humorous although I didn't find it quite as witty as the cover led me to expect. I would also highly recommend the other two books mentioned, especially if one wants to further investigate some of the themes raised in 'The Bell'.
Rating: 4
Summary: very surprising
Comment: Like to think i know the Malvern Hills et al. areas of Glouchestershire pretty well but even so this book completely took me by surprise. The insights and life lessons throughout were unobtrusive and the subtlety of putting all these very different people together and watching the relationships grow was really interesting.
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Title: The Sea, the Sea by Iris Murdoch, Mary Kinzie ISBN: 014118616X Publisher: Penguin USA (Paper) Pub. Date: 27 February, 2001 List Price(USD): $15.00 |
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Title: The Nice and the Good by Iris Murdoch ISBN: 0140030344 Publisher: Viking Press Pub. Date: December, 1978 List Price(USD): $15.00 |
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Title: The Black Prince by Iris Murdoch, Martha C. Nussbaum, P. A. Loxias ISBN: 0142180114 Publisher: Penguin USA (Paper) Pub. Date: 25 March, 2003 List Price(USD): $15.00 |
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Title: The Unicorn by Iris Murdoch ISBN: 014002476X Publisher: Viking Press Pub. Date: January, 1987 List Price(USD): $16.00 |
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Title: A Severed Head by Iris Murdoch ISBN: 0140020039 Publisher: Penguin USA (Paper) Pub. Date: November, 1976 List Price(USD): $14.00 |
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