As we go deeper into the novel, Murdoch exposes the motivations behind Charles’ actions, as well as the other characters. These people and events all disrupt Charles’ world in one way or another, leaving his ego shaken to the core. The memoir turns into a chronicle of all the strange events and unexpected people that have come into his life.

However, things don’t quite work out the way Charles planned. He wants to write about the love affair that he had with his mentor, Clement Makin, as well as Lizzie, an actress he had strung along for years. Charles has plans to write a memoir – and a scandalous one at that. He has moved from the busy scenes of London to a more quiet and isolated home by the sea. This story follows a retired theater star named Charles Arrowby. I am going to start things off with one of Iris Murdoch’s top books. So, what better way to commemorate the legacy of the incredible Iris Murdoch than to have an article dedicated to ten of her best books? Sadly, Murdoch was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 1997 and passed a couple years later. Murdoch had a few different careers throughout her life, but she released her first book in 1954, and wrote twenty-five in total during her lifetime. I’m sure her philosophical studies played a role in the books she later wrote.

She was educated in what was, at that time, considered to be progressive independent schools, and ended up studying the “Greats” at Oxford. BackgroundĪ little background on Murdoch: she was born in Dublin, Ireland, in 1919, but moved to London at only a few weeks old. Just before she passed, Murdoch’s first book was named as one of the best English-language novels of the 20 th century – impressive! She received many accolades throughout her career, so much so, that Queen Elizabeth II felt her worthy of the title “Dame” due to her contributions to literature. Now, this is an author who passed away in 1999, so her books are definitely on the older side – but don’t think they aren’t amazing! Iris Murdoch is best known for her novels about the power of the unconscious, good and evil, sexuality, and morality. If you are a fan of books that make you think, then Dame Jean Iris Murdoch is the author for you.

The bell iris murdoch characters