Welcome back to my Iris Murdoch readalong and we’re fairly galloping through them, aren’t we. Today we review the small and not very much discussed “The Italian Girl” and preview another book considered “minor”, I think it’s fair to say (partly because Murdoch herself apparently changed her mind on it), “The Red and the Green”.
“The Italian Girl”
I reviewed this one nice and early in the month here and we’ve had a bit of discussion in the comments already. Bookish Beck reviewed it on her blog but did comment that she felt she got more out of my assessment than out of the book itself. Annabookbel read her late mum’s first edition and reviewed it here. Jo has written a very thoughtful review highlighting Edward’s use of female stereotypes here.
Bookish Beck also submitted this great cover image from the 60s – one of the pretty horrific series of covers they did for her, which I secretly really like.
Maria Peacock has the 1967 Penguin with a fairly disturbing cover (who is this supposed to be?) and interesting blurb:
Peter Rivenberg again steadfastly sent me his cover images, noting the art on them, too. This is the late 70s Penguin with Botticelli’s Primavera (who is that supposed to represent or can we read meaning from the picture):
And also the 2000 Vintage Classic before my edition, featuring The Fall by Hugo van der Goes, so a range of themes overall!
If you have comments to make or links to blog posts or Goodreads reviews to post, you can put them here or (better still) on the review.
“The Red and the Green”
Murdoch’s Irish historical novel is set in a very different Ireland to “The Unicorn”. It’s a mix of sexual farce and serious history which received mixed reviews on publication and I’m not sure is read much today (although I’m sure I met someone who said it was their favourite of her novels once).
I have the usual three copies: a first edition bought for this project, a 1990s Penguin (bought on 19 January 1995 when I was 23, presumably with a Christmas or early birthday book token; I had a habit of catching up with Murdoch purchases around January each year) and the new Vintage classic:
The cover image on the Penguin is Lady Lavery as Cathleen in Howihan by Sir John Lavery. I really don’t like the first edition image in the middle – what is that supposed to be? and I really like the gloomy and dread-filled new Vintage cover.
The blurbs: the first had a long description which you might not be able to make out, covering all the characters and themes. Perhaps they thought the book needed explaining:
There’s a lesson in first edition value, here, too, in the flyleaf:
I paid the very much lower of the two prices for it.
My Penguin is quite brief:
and then the new vintage takes its description of Millie (my favourite character, I remember) from the first edition, which is nice:
Are you going to be reading or re-reading “The Red and the Green” along with me? Are you catching up with the others or have you given up)? What’s your favourite so far?
You will find a page listing all of these blog posts here, updated as I go along.
Jun 30, 2018 @ 17:18:01
I didn’t know Murdoch had written any historical fiction. I’m impressed you got a first edition for a tenner!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Jul 02, 2018 @ 09:27:28
It only went back to 1916 from the 60s but yes, the only one! She’s not that popular or trendy at the moment, so I’ve been able to pick up a lot of them quite cheaply – hooray!
LikeLike
State of the TBR July 2018 #amreading | Adventures in reading, running and working from home
Jul 01, 2018 @ 09:00:44
Jul 01, 2018 @ 14:30:09
I know I enjoyed The Red and the Green but I am struggling to remember it (again). I’m probably confusing it in my mind with other novels that have similar themes. Good to see you’re getting so much from your Murdoch re-reads.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Jul 02, 2018 @ 09:28:25
I usually only remember it’s about the Easter Rising and people hunching in houses and hurrying between them, but there’s a fair amount of rural stuff and naughty Millie. I am loving this re-read and reading along with a fair number of people.
LikeLike
Jul 01, 2018 @ 18:39:20
I’m late – but here’s my post about The Italian Girl http://annabookbel.net/iris-murdoch-italian-girl
LikeLiked by 1 person
Jul 02, 2018 @ 09:28:57
Thank you so much! I love that you read a first edition and I’ve linked to your review in this post now. I really don’t mind if people read them a bit late as long as they join in!
LikeLike