It’s here! I can’t wait! I just can’t! Attending the Iris Murdoch Society Conference in September reminded me that I haven’t re-read her novels for ages. So I decided to do so, starting in January 2018. And then I couldn’t wait. So I’m going to start in November 2017 (there are 26 novels, so that will take us nicely to December 2019. Whoo hoo! Christmas fun with … ah).
I’ve created a hashtag for use on Twitter which didn’t already exist! Use #IMreadalong when you share your blog posts.
And please comment here if you’re taking part.
How will it work?
I’ll post about the book at the start of each month then do a round-up of reviews at the end of the month, so comment on the starter post or, if you blog yourself, post a link to your review on the starter post each time and I’ll pull them all together at the end of each month. Feel free to add comments and reviews after the month in question if you get a bit behind, and no one has to read them all. There are no rules!
I am NOT doing any kind of academic study on this. I’ve promised myself that this is ONLY FOR FUN. But I am doing this as a re-read and so I’m particularly interested if you’re re-reading one or all of the books in your thoughts on it being a re-read, what has changed in your reading of the book over the years, etc. Do bring that out in your comment or blog post!
November 2017 Under the Net (1954)
December 2017 The Flight from the Enchanter (1956)
January 2018 The Sandcastle (1957)
February 2018 The Bell (1958)
March 2018 A Severed Head (1961)
April 2018 An Unofficial Rose (1962)
May 2018 The Unicorn (1963)
June 2018 The Italian Girl (1964)
July 2018 The Red and the Green (1965)
August 2018 The Time of the Angels (1966)
September 2018 The Nice and the Good (1968)
October 2018 Bruno’s Dream (1969)
November 2018 A Fairly Honourable Defeat (1970)
December 2018 An Accidental Man (1971)
January 2019 The Black Prince (1973)
February 2019 The Sacred and Profane Love Machine (1974)
March 2019 A Word Child (1975)
April 2019 Henry and Cato (1976)
May 2019 The Sea, the Sea (1978)
June 2019 Nuns and Soldiers (1980)
July 2019 The Philosopher’s Pupil (1983)
August 2019 The Good Apprentice (1985)
September 2019 The Book and the Brotherhood (1987)
October 2019 The Message to the Planet (1989)
November 2019 The Green Knight (1993)
December 2019 Jackson’s Dilemma (1995)
So, how it works again:
Start of the month: I’ll publish a reminder to start reading and then you read the book. Comment on the starter post with your thoughts or a link to your review if you’ve blogged it elsewhere.
End of the month: I’ll publish my review and a round-up of everyone else’s thoughts on it, with links.
All clear! I hope so! Comment below if you’re considering joining in. I’d love to have some company!
PS I can’t find my copy of The Flight From the Enchanter. This obviously means I have to buy a whole new set of the recently republished ones, right?
PPS Does someone want to design a lovely logo for the readalong?
Adventures in reading, running and working from home 
Oct 10, 2017 @ 09:33:41
This is the sort of thing I would love to do but I’m usually so busy that when I get home at night I just flake out (although I try to read IM on the tube – at the moment I’m re-reading The Italian Girl). Can I say I’ll TRY to do it?!
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Oct 10, 2017 @ 09:35:18
Yes, of course you can! There are no rules, if you just read one book and comment or blog about it, that’s absolutely fine. Reading IM on the Tube is a good place to read her, I think!
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Oct 10, 2017 @ 09:44:11
Well, Liz, I have to tell you that I have never read Iris Murdoch in my life! When I was young she seemed too serious and difficult, and in recent years her books never seemed to appear before me. Would reading chronologically work? Can you tell me that if I could read Dorothy Richardson I could do this?!
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Oct 10, 2017 @ 10:48:31
I don’t think you have missed much Jane.
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Oct 10, 2017 @ 11:41:38
Perhaps you’d like to qualify that remark; what is it you don’t like about Murdoch? I am trying to celebrate her with this project so not hugely keen on negativity without backup, although I’m sure people will like some books more than others as we go along.
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Oct 10, 2017 @ 14:26:53
I have read all of Murdoch’s books but it was a long time ago.A WORD CHILD and THE BLACK PRINCE are the 2 that i remember enjoying and re reading.I think she was a clever and brilliant woman but i am ashamed to say i like being entertained by novels.Her philosophy and thoughts on religion dominated too much of the drama.
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Oct 10, 2017 @ 14:30:34
That’s fair enough, I personally find her very entertaining but different things please different people.
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Oct 10, 2017 @ 11:37:59
Interesting! She’s far easier than Dorothy Richardson in my opinion, much more action and less stream of consciousness. There are slabs of philosophy occasionally but not too bad, and the works as a whole work together beautifully, a chronological read really adds depth to the oeuvre that reading a single novel won’t give you, in my opinion. She has so many echoing themes and characters who appear again and again in different guises. I hope you’ll give it a go!
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Oct 10, 2017 @ 12:24:09
I may not make it to the end – I have a bad record with single author read-alongs – but I’ll definitely start at the beginning and see what happens. The library has thirty of her books in reserve stock, and an author of such renown definitely deserves a serious attempt at reading her work.
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Oct 10, 2017 @ 12:34:49
There is no expectation. Not all of us like all of them, even me (I have one I will struggle with in 2019!!). It will be lovely to have you along.
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Oct 10, 2017 @ 12:00:46
Do try again — she is so funny as well as serious and just a great story teller. At least try Under the Net ! 🙂
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Oct 10, 2017 @ 12:02:38
Yes, I think people miss the humour, don’t they.
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Oct 10, 2017 @ 10:26:36
Sounds very interesting. I have never read IM, although I have had a copy of The Sea, The Sea on my shelf for about 15 years. Have ordered Under The Net from the library and will see how it goes. Thanks for setting up such an interesting venture, 😀
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Oct 10, 2017 @ 11:40:01
Oh, fabulous, I’m glad I’ve tempted you! Under the Net is a great read and you will love TSTS when we eventually get to it. I’ll look forward to you joining in for at least those!
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Oct 10, 2017 @ 10:28:17
How exciting! I’m not going to say definitely, but I’ll try to drop in if I can and if the mood is right. Have fun! And yes – buy new editions…… 😉
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Oct 10, 2017 @ 11:38:26
I’m going to buy the new ones, very exciting! And I’d love to have you along for the ride, for whichever ones you fancy.
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Oct 12, 2017 @ 19:57:31
I’m not familiar with her work, but I’ll give it a go. Do you recommend I start at the beginning or is there a “best” intro point?
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Oct 13, 2017 @ 06:44:19
I’d say start with the first one as we’re reading in chronological order; the early ones are ones I usually recommend as starters, anyway. How lovely to have you join in!
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Oct 13, 2017 @ 19:01:31
One of the many reasons I love your blog is finding new to me authors. That’s something I miss about living overseas
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Oct 10, 2017 @ 10:40:45
I loved the idea, and I will definitely join in! 🙂
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Oct 10, 2017 @ 11:38:46
Excellent, I’ll look forward to your takes on them. Have you read any before?
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Oct 10, 2017 @ 13:08:50
I’ve read Under the Net, The Sandcastle and A Severed Head – and I remember I’ve enjoyed them 🙂
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Oct 10, 2017 @ 13:37:18
Wonderful – I’ll look forward to hearing how you feel about re-reading those and reading some new ones!
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Oct 10, 2017 @ 10:54:48
My fave Murdoch is “A WORD CHILD” and i have read it twice.It seems less difficult and involving than many of her others.
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Oct 10, 2017 @ 11:40:52
I really like that one, especially its London / Tube line setting. It became one of my favourites last time I read it.
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Oct 10, 2017 @ 14:28:48
And the office micro world was fun.Reminded me of ANGEL PAVEMENT by Priestley.( A WORD CHILD)
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Oct 10, 2017 @ 10:59:15
I am in!
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Oct 10, 2017 @ 11:41:59
Great, I’m pleased to have you along! Is this a re-read for you, too?
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Oct 10, 2017 @ 11:45:19
Brilliant idea. I don’t think I can commit to re-reading all of these again but I did get so much from reading them in order last time. Perhaps I will re-read some of my favourites if you don’t mind me dipping in and out.
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Oct 10, 2017 @ 11:48:32
No, that’s absolutely fine, just dip in and out. You can always make it up from 25.5 to 26, of course by finishing Black Prince … !!
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Oct 10, 2017 @ 12:21:28
Ha ha I will consider that. 😀
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Oct 10, 2017 @ 12:01:44
So much looking forward to this re-read in a group setting 🙂
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Oct 10, 2017 @ 12:03:14
I’m really glad you’re joining in and am looking forward to your thoughts on the re-reading process in particular.
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Oct 10, 2017 @ 14:47:42
I might be brave and back into the Murdoch fray… I still have one or two unread on my shelves. Third time lucky?!
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Oct 10, 2017 @ 15:05:53
Oh, do it, do it! You might like Under the Net at least. What’s on your shelves? I know you didn’t like The Sea, The Sea.
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Oct 10, 2017 @ 16:21:31
I’ve read one: The Sea, The Sea. Oh, it was wonderful! But I’ve bookcrossed it, so I can’t reread it. I don’t suppose I’ll take part in your readalong, but I will keep my eyes open for Murdochs if I get the chance and if I remember. I hope you don’t get Murdoch fatigue along the way. I’m not sure there’s any author I would want to read every month for over a year.
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Oct 10, 2017 @ 16:23:17
I’m glad you enjoyed The Sea, The Sea. And don’t worry, I’ve done this with IM at least twice before, so I know it’s OK – it’s also something I’ve done with Hardy, Barbara Pym and Elizabeth Taylor – and also Dorothy Richardson, last year, which was FAR harder!
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Oct 10, 2017 @ 16:45:33
Exciting! I plan to pop in and out over the span of your project. Although you’re focusing on re-reading this time round, I’d rather take it as an opportunity to catch up with some of the 22 (yipes!) that I’ve never read before. I own 5 in paperback, and the rest I could get from Reading University library. I think I may well try Under the Net next month, as it seems to be well regarded. In your starter posts, do you plan to include a bit of info about the plot/reception of the novel so we can decide whether to read along with that particular one?
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Oct 10, 2017 @ 16:56:57
It’s turned out that a lot of people will be reading for the first time and that’s just fine, I suppose I’m just interested in the re-reading aspect because it’s at least third time round for me with the later ones, more for the earlier.
I can include some notes about each book at the beginning if people will find that helpful. When I did this with a group last time, I posted a list of themes to look out for which they enjoyed, as the themes pop up in the books as an oeuvre as well as individual ones.
It’ll be lovely to have you along!
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Oct 10, 2017 @ 17:10:56
Sounds great! I’ve never done a readalong before, just blog tours. I’m looking forward to it.
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Oct 11, 2017 @ 05:40:33
Oh, interesting, I’ve been doing readalongs for years and you get a lot of added value from reading other people’s reviews and thoughts. I’ll look forward to you taking part.
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Oct 10, 2017 @ 20:03:55
I’d love to join the challenge Liz. I’ve been meaning to reread her books again (I last read them all in 1993) so this is the perfect opportunity! I’m excited!
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Oct 11, 2017 @ 05:40:00
Wow, that’s a long gap, I hope you enjoy grasping the opportunity! A chance to update your collection with the new set from Vintage, perhaps?
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Nov 07, 2017 @ 01:19:36
I am tempted by the new Vintage editions but I also enjoy my old Penguins and the memories they have for me. Just finished „Under the Net“ and I’m so glad that, even 24 years after I last read her books, the magic is still there. And I recall enjoying her later books even more. So glad for this challenge although now I‘ve started I want to jump ahead. But I won’t as I love the idea of reading with the group.
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Nov 07, 2017 @ 08:16:50
I love my old copies, too, and I’m certainly not going to get rid of them (although I seem to have mislaid my Flight from the Enchanter) but I was attracted by the new introductions. I’m loving it, too (hooray!) and am about 2/3 of the way through so should be posting my review on Thursday or thereabouts and it’ll all be open for comments then. It’s hard not to race ahead, isn’t it, but I think even I would get fatigued trying to read them all in one go without gaps for other books!
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Oct 10, 2017 @ 20:30:08
I might join in with a few of these, though I don’t think I could commit to all of them. The only two I have read so far are The Sea, The Sea and A Word Child, so this would be the perfect opportunity to read some more.
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Oct 10, 2017 @ 21:40:59
Wow! That’s a HUGE commitment Liz, but I’m glad to know which book I will be reading in May 2019….I may even be tempted to source some more of her books.
I didn’t appreciate just how many she wrote!
And congrats on creating a unique hashtag – it’s getting harder and harder to do that 🙂
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Oct 10, 2017 @ 21:43:16
PS Do you have a favourite?
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Oct 11, 2017 @ 05:39:28
I have a top five, I can’t go more precise than that! The Flight from the Enchanter, A Severed Head, The Philosopher’s Pupil, The Book and the Brotherhood, The Green Knight.
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Oct 11, 2017 @ 05:38:48
I was chuffed to find one, to be honest! And I’ve done it before, so it doesn’t feel like such a commitment to me. I’ve even run them all together the first time I did it! I look forward to you joining in!
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Oct 10, 2017 @ 23:46:10
I haven’t read any of her books before and have been meaning to dip my toe in the water for ages. I won’t be committing to the full thing, but I’ll maybe join in with a book or two along the way if that’s OK. Good luck with the challenge!
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Oct 11, 2017 @ 05:37:56
Fabulous! Yes, that’s totally OK, join in with as many or as few as you want to.
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Oct 11, 2017 @ 02:31:26
I sold off almost all my thousands of books before moving to Scotland, including my Iris Murdoch collection. Now that I’ve moved back, I think it’s time I reassembled that part of my library. I’m definitely interested. Will do my best. 🙂
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Oct 11, 2017 @ 05:37:33
What a shame to lose your library! I think it’s time. There’s no worry about doing your best – no rules apart from enjoy some IM!
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Oct 11, 2017 @ 09:28:57
Thank you Liz. I would love to join in and have an excuse to read ‘Under the Net’ yet again – each time I get more and more out of it, but I am also looking forward to venturing into the bigger later novels together with other readers. This is a great incentive. So please count me in.
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Oct 11, 2017 @ 11:15:52
Great news! Is that the only one you’ve read? The larger ones are quite different but just as amazing and rewarding.
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Oct 11, 2017 @ 11:09:18
Looking forward to this Liz and hearing what everyone has to say!
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Oct 11, 2017 @ 11:16:17
Glad to have you along. I can’t wait to hear what everyone has to say, especially about those more divisive ones …
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Oct 12, 2017 @ 09:16:04
OK, I´m in!
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Oct 12, 2017 @ 11:36:21
Great news, it will be lovely to have you along!
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Oct 13, 2017 @ 13:52:16
My copy of Under the Net arrived under the wire… 😉 Busy weekend but I’m planning to at least get a start on it.
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Oct 13, 2017 @ 13:59:04
We’re not starting until next month so you have plenty of time! My new copy hasn’t even arrived yet …
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Oct 16, 2017 @ 15:37:33
Oct 17, 2017 @ 01:25:18
Hi Liz, This sounds a brilliant idea, so I might just join in from down here in Melbourne. I don’t have any books waiting for review at the moment, which means I can catch up on all the books I want to read. As Julie and I have just changed over the bookshelves, I’m not sure which Murdochs I have. This will also give me the kick to start sorting out the shelves. I’ll be in touch.
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Oct 17, 2017 @ 08:08:06
Ooh, exciting, it would be lovely to have you on board! It’s fine to dip in and out with whichever books you have or to do the whole thing …
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Book haul #amreading #books #bookconfessions #AusReadingMonth #IMReadalong | Adventures in reading, writing and working from home
Oct 22, 2017 @ 17:39:23
Oct 24, 2017 @ 15:13:25
I have a few on my shelves, some fresh reads and some rereads. I think I’d be a dipping-in-and-out participant. Especially as I don’t have Under the Net and might not squeeze it in as I’m behind in spotting your post, but, then again, I might. It also interests me that you have listed Flight of the Enchanter as a favourite and that’s one I have missed. I do love long reading projects. I’m gradually working through all of Mavis Gallant’s short stories these days, reading at a slow pace and discovering mostly (as I have only read a couple of collections previously).
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Oct 27, 2017 @ 07:14:16
I’m really happy for people to join in as and when – as long as you get your review in the comments or linked in the comments by the last day of the month I will include it in the monthly round-up so there’s no huge rush, and I don’t mind if people miss a few along the way. Flight From the Enchanter is great, it has all Murdoch’s famous themes, plus some wonderful feminist journal publishers!
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Book review – Stuart Maconie – The Pie at Night plus MORE books in #amreading #books #bookconfessions #IMreadalong | Adventures in reading, writing and working from home
Oct 29, 2017 @ 18:44:06
The Great Iris Murdoch Readalong: How it will work and “Under the Net” #IMreadalong | Adventures in reading, writing and working from home
Oct 31, 2017 @ 09:02:36
Oct 31, 2017 @ 13:16:00
Great idea! Good luck with the Readalong Liz. I’m an avid fan so am looking forward with great relish to getting started. Off to buy my copy now in fact! I have read a lot of the ‘heavier’ titles from the middle of her career so am expecting this to be a bit more plot- rather than character- driven. Maybe a bit lighter and more accessible to readers more used to genre or ‘popular’ fiction. I wonder if I shall be right?!
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Oct 31, 2017 @ 13:18:23
Interesting! It’s certainly a shorter book than the mid-career ones and has a good plot, but it does still contain the odd chunk of philosophy. I’ll be interested to hear what you think about it.
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The November Outlook – Bookish Beck
Nov 02, 2017 @ 12:17:55
Nov 02, 2017 @ 22:17:57
I have read quite a few but decades ago for the most part ! I am also a very slow reader and doubt if I could cope with the big ones in a month as I am doing other things as well. But I am very excited to give it a try and really look forward to reading comments and reviews as being totally deaf I cannot ever join in book discussions or attend conferences etc. I don’t know any Murdoch fans 😦 Thanks for setting it up.
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Nov 03, 2017 @ 07:54:52
I’m so glad that book blogs and readalongs can give you your community in a way that works for you. I’ll look forward to having you along. Don’t worry if you slip behind at all: the posts will stay up with comments open, and the Page will list all the blog posts for each book, so you’ll be able to find and comment on each book just fine. Happy reading!
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Nov 23, 2017 @ 19:44:23
Thoughts on Under the Net…
I went through a phase of reading Iris Murdoch in 2003. I remember the year because I started and waded deeply into ‘The Sea, The Sea’ on a very, very long night-bus journey through London at the dawn of New Year’s Day. I was so enthralled I carried on reading her work. Back in those pre-Kindle days, I would always keep an eye out in book stores for novels I hadn’t read, looking for the point on the shelf where Murakami ended and Iris’ novels began. I read twelve, then went off a Margaret Atwood spree.
The read-along caught my eye, via Twitter, as a great way to re-engage with Murdoch’s fiction. Thank you for coming up with the idea and organising it Liz!
This was my first read of Under the Net.
I was struck first by how light, engaging and often very funny it was. Through a combination of youthful pretentiousness and shop availability, I think I previously read Murdoch’s weightier, longer and more explicitly philosophical tomes. There is some intellectual discussion in ‘Under the Net’, and one of the characters is explicitly described as being a “philosopher…concerned with the central of knot of being”. However, it felt as if she was just as keen to demonstrate her comedic talents more than her intellectual creds. At times it seemed she was rather fondly lampooning her characters’ desire to engage in pseudo-philosophical debate (“Fireworks are sui generis…”), especially after several pints and brandy chasers.
Her efficiency in describing the dynamics of a scene and portraying a character is also there right from the start. She creates such an engaging character in the shape of Jake, exposing both his sympathetic and rather unattractive traits, his flaws and his self-awareness in relation to his shortcomings (“I am something over thirty and talented, but lazy”). Similarly, in a single paragraph, I had a strong sense and sharp mental image of Samuel Starfield (as a successful spiv, basically).
I also spotted one of Murdoch’s little tics (in my mind anyway…) of listing an inventory of incongruous foodstuffs.
My enjoyment of the rapid pace of much of the novel meant that, when the narrative did get into more philosophical discussions about truth and love, they felt a little slow and inserted.
That said, I got to the end, delighted to be (re-)discover how funny Murdoch can be, and looking forward to next month.
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Nov 24, 2017 @ 08:35:50
Thanks for your comment and your story about how you first started reading Murdoch. The Sea, The Sea is a great one to start with! And yes, indeed, the weird food is such a classic theme of hers (very evident in The Sea, The Sea, too, of course). In fact in our household, when we have a weird dinner we always describe it as an Iris Murdoch meal! You’re right about the humour of the book, I loved that even more about it this time round. And I’m glad you’re looking forward to the next one.
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Classic of the Month: Under the Net (#IMReadalong) – Bookish Beck
Nov 26, 2017 @ 12:48:40
Nov 30, 2017 @ 21:48:52
Late to the party, but I’m here now!!
http://bronasbooks.blogspot.com.au/2017/12/stories-and-shout-outs.html
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Dec 01, 2017 @ 09:41:01
Wonderful news, hooray!
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Dec 30, 2017 @ 19:47:17
Faves and Stand-Out Reads of 2017 – Buried In Print
Jan 17, 2018 @ 20:42:24
Iris Murdoch’s Under the Net (1954) and The Sandcastle (1957) – Buried In Print
Feb 15, 2018 @ 08:10:37
Iris Murdoch Readalong: A Severed Head – Bookish Beck
Mar 29, 2018 @ 09:00:35
Apr 06, 2018 @ 16:15:54
Fresh bookishness! – Buried In Print
May 14, 2018 @ 16:29:20
Iris Murdoch Readalong: The Italian Girl – Bookish Beck
Jun 26, 2018 @ 10:00:22
Iris Murdoch Readalong: The Nice and the Good (1968) – Bookish Beck
Sep 29, 2018 @ 10:13:31
Dec 22, 2018 @ 08:54:21
Iris Murdoch Readalong: The Sacred and Profane Love Machine (1974) – Bookish Beck
Feb 28, 2019 @ 08:00:28