A Word Child: Amazon.ca: Iris Murdoch: Books

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Product Description

The Times

‘She is incapable of writing without fascinating and beautiful colour’ --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Sunday Times

'...behind her books one feels a power of intellect quite exceptional in a novelist’ --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

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5.0 out of 5 stars (5 customer reviews)

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5.0 out of 5 stars One of Iris's best, April 3 2004

By	Wildenbill (OR United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Word Child (Paperback)

I've read a fair number of Ms.Murdoch's books and enjoyed them all. This book focuses on Hilary, a low level English civil servant who has been his own worst enemy since a brutal childhood. His own personal history repeats itself here and we wonder if he will ever learn.

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5.0 out of 5 stars New Murdoch Fan, Jan 2 2001

By	Sean ODWYER "Design ICU" (Lyonsville, NY) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Word Child (Paperback)

The plot concerns a deeply unappealing and uncivil servant called Hilary whose current angst has arisen from, as the blurb puts it, "a tragic love tangle". I found the first third the book a little difficult to get through but what kept me turning pages was Murdoch's remarkable insight into human action. Once the reason for Hilary's abominable behavior becomes clear, you can't help but share Murdoch's empathy for him and, thereafter, the novel blooms and rips along with all the key relationships intertwining in increasingly intense ways. The conclusion is deeply satisfying on every level: dramatically, emotionally, intellectually and spiritually. This was my first sampling of Murdoch. She is a stunning writer and I'm very glad to have "discovered" her for myself.

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5.0 out of 5 stars Unique style, Dec 12 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Word Child (Paperback)

I recently re-read "A Word Child" and was completely charmed by it. I hardly know where to begin listing its merits. Firstly it is good and true and seeks to make us better people in a very practical way. Too earnest for the 2000s? We shall see. Secondly it is beautiful and mystical and full of the poetry of human action. Thirdly it is humble and funny and messy and REAL. Reading Iris Murdoch is like reading no other modern author: how clear and generous her prose style is, how non-"tricksy". She was a great writer about London too: why do we forget this? I think her reputation is entirely secure as the greatest English novelist of her age and she will be read and loved by readers when many other flashier talents are long forgotton.

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Most recent customer reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars I am sorry to see it is out of print
This is a deeply satisfying novel, surpassed in my affection only by The Black Prince. Like The Black Prince, it seems to be from Murdoch's "middle period," when she... Read more

Published on July 17 2000 by doctor rocket

5.0 out of 5 stars The best of Iris Murdoch's work
Iris Murdoch's A Word Child is the kind of book you want all your friends to read. It's a dark comedy, a tragedy, and a romance all in one, written with an engaging combination of... Read more

Published on Mar 21 2000