Reviews

This was perhaps the wrong book to choose to read for my first Iris Murdoch novel. There are many others more highly regarded, but I chose this one because I found it for cheap at a used book store. Murdoch is undoubtedly an extremely skilled writer, and is in fact regarded as one of the great novelists. I think this novel probably isn't up to her usual excellence. It is undoubtedly well written, and there were scenes that captivated me and will stick with me. I think it really is one of those novels that is just too long, much longer than it needed to be. A bit shorter and I think it would have been more effective. Feels a bit ridiculous to say, because what do I know about writing a novel? The Good Apprentice does have depth; Murdoch is concerned with forgiveness, human weakness, what it means to be a good/moral person. Redemption and the lives of the upper class. It's just that so many of the characters are pretty insufferable. I think I was supposed to feel more empathy for them. But they are just so self-involved and full of self-pity. Maybe that's intentional, and part of the reading experience. Testing the reader's empathy for these characters and this social class. I found some scenes really thrilling, while I found others quite tiresome. I do look forward to reading more Iris Murdoch though, hopefully a novel that I will feel more whole-heatedly positive about.

catherinejsamson's review against another edition

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5.0

« little feet in shining high-heeled shoes which gave Harry his first conscious erotic experience. » STOPSTOPSTOP PLEASE NO STOP

ryanbroadfoot's review against another edition

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inspiring reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

blueyorkie's review against another edition

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5.0

The great art of Iris Murdoch is to lead us into a novel that is both philosophical and very theatrical. Never dull, we let ourselves take action, and we have fun with the adventures and situations the characters find themselves to drawn. In my opinion, an excellent book by Iris Murdoch that I had trouble leaving.

mmatti300's review against another edition

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dark mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

I enjoyed this book far more than I thought I would and was hooked from the beginning. Everyone in this book is terrible, which is the point but also what confused me about why I loved it so much. That being said, I felt like I was constantly waiting for a big moment to reveal the point of the book and it never came up. I think that the rest of the book was really good but I wish there was more to the story.

jannie_mtl's review against another edition

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5.0

An exceptional novel, shortlisted for the Man Booker prize in 1985, this book reads like mythology. The characters' lives are intertwined by birth, relationships, and happenstance. The central figures are half brothers Edward and Stuart, each seeking a kind of redemption. The former is complicit in the death of a friend, and the latter seeks a life of study and chastity. It is difficult to describe the plot in detail as there are numerous twists, but I found myself drawn into their world and a very powerful way.

I listened to an audio-book version and wish that I had opted for a printed format as there were allusions and turns of phrase that I would have liked to spend more time with.

This is a novel that I will visit again.

angharadmiller's review against another edition

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challenging hopeful reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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