Having finished my Iris Murdoch Readalong in good time, I’ve had time to add in a couple of IM-related books, this being the first. I bought this back in August when the Iris Murdoch Society advertised some books that had been sold at the Centenary Conference (which I’d been unable to attend because of running an ultramarathon that weekend, as you do) and being reminded of it made me snap it up but also think that this time of year would be the perfect time to read it.
Miles Leeson (ed.) – Iris Murdoch: A Centenary Celebration
(26 August 2019)
A collection of biographical essays/memoirs about various people’s encounters with IM, which it’s explained in the Preface originated from a collection Peter Conradi put together for IM’s 80th birthday. When she didn’t make it to 80, the collection was filed away in various archives, to be brought out again and revitalised for a centenary volume, happily. This leads to slightly odd moments when the contributors describe IM in the present tense, but also allows us to experience a deep and rich telling of different stages and aspects of her life from people who are in large proportion also no longer with us (from Roy Jenkins to Lady Natasha Spender).
Although I always claim to espouse the reader-response (or Death of the Author) theory in reacting to texts through my own lens, not that of the author or subject, of course once reads this for the tiny insights and fascinating impressions. I did love details like the parts around the Spenders; house in France that informed “Nuns and Soldiers”, the wartime lack of proper hot water bottles that led to them being mentioned often in the novels, and the connection between the former English cricket captain Mike Brearley and Murdoch, via the report of Indian academic Saguna Ramanathan. Stones appear, particular stones, too, pleasingly often, and of course I loved the piece by Carmen Calil about being IM’s editor. It was also good to revisit A.N. Wilson’s chat with Leeson from the Conference before last.
A lovely companion for any student of Iris Murdoch or fan of her novels or philosophy, with something for everyone (and, of course, useful biographical notes on the contributors).
Adventures in reading, running and working from home 
Dec 21, 2019 @ 18:22:01
Oh this does sound fascinating. A perfect book to finish off your IM reading challenge. I remember enjoying a similar book of Virginia Woolf reminiscences when I was doing my Woolf reading. It is interesting to see the author from the perspective of others.
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Dec 21, 2019 @ 18:31:07
It really was a good one! I have the A-Z to read to which, yes, is a giant list of names and places, but a fascinating one!
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Dec 21, 2019 @ 20:12:46
Congratulations on finishing your Murdoch readalong ahead of schedule. That’s a very impressive bank of reviews you’ve collated together, a rich resource for others to delve into. This collection does sound very good indeed. It’s always fascinating to ‘see’ a writer through the eyes of other individuals, especially given your focus on Murdoch over the past couple of years.
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Dec 22, 2019 @ 07:22:56
Thank you – I was pleased not to be reading and reviewing the last one right at the end of the month (as I have sometimes done!) and so to be able to fit in some extras. And thank you for your kind comment. I hope you get to read a good few of them.
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Dec 22, 2019 @ 02:50:21
I read your reviews and know I should read Iris Murdoch, and I think I might have one, other than Sartre, but as always other books intervene. I agree with you both about the primacy of the reader and the fascination of reading about writers, what motivated them, and what they might have intended us to understand.
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Dec 22, 2019 @ 07:24:50
There are a few audiobooks out there – Matthew, my husband, read The Good Apprentice on one. I’d love to hear your reaction to her. Also “An Unofficial Rose” and “Jackson’s Dilemma” have Australian characters, which I always enjoyed, just as much this time. And thank you for understanding that pull between only looking at ones own reactions but also wanting to know about the author!
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Dec 22, 2019 @ 10:35:08
Congratulations in completing your IM readalong. One day I will start as you have inspired me. Keep up the awesomeness and have a great Christmas too!
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Dec 22, 2019 @ 14:45:55
Thank you, and I’ll look forward to hearing what you make of her one day! Have a lovely Christmas!
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Dec 22, 2019 @ 19:50:04
Congratulations on the readalong, Liz! I didn’t manage to keep up, but loved the two books I read – The Bell and The Unicorn, and Living on Paper, a collection of her letters. It sounds fascinating to read about Murdoch from the perspective of other people, so I am adding this book to my tbr now 🙂
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Dec 23, 2019 @ 09:04:32
I’m glad you enjoyed those two and yes, Living on Paper is marvellous, isn’t it – i read that a while ago and really enjoyed it. I hope you’ll read more of hers in the future and perhaps pop back to comment on the posts. I’m sure you will get a lot out of this one, too – happy reading!
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Dec 23, 2019 @ 22:48:57
This is definitely one that will be added to the Iris Murdoch collection I’ve somehow started from participating in the readalong. :;) Just wanted to say thanks again Liz and hope you have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
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Dec 24, 2019 @ 14:42:35
I think you’d get a lot out of this one and hope you can find a copy. Have a lovely Christmas yourself, and I hope you’ll stay around the blog!
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Dec 31, 2019 @ 16:58:13
Companion reads like this are especially rewarding read in concert with rereads – what perfect timing! I’ve not read many of the Murdochs that I had marked for the challenge (the later part of last year got unexpectedly – but happily- busy with some work-related reading and reviews) but I still have them in mind for this year, though there are many others on those shelves too, so it will depend on mood now. Thanks for hosting and encouraging so many of us to read more (or to sample with a first reading) Murdoch!
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Dec 31, 2019 @ 22:56:16
I do hope you can get to some of them and those posts will always be there to refer back to! This was a great read and I’m a bit annoyed I didn’t get to the A-Z this month, too, but ran out of reading time (shocking!).
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