The Nice and the Good
2 journalers for this copy...
John Ducane, a respected Whitehall civil servant, is asked to investigate the suicide of a colleague. As he pursues his inquiry he uncovers a shabby, evil world of murder, blackmail and black magic. He begins to feel more trapped than trapping.
In contrast to stagnant summer London, Octavian and Kate Gray's adoring community on the Dorset coast seems to offer Ducane refuge, but even here the aftereffects of violence poison an atmosphere already electric with adolescent quarrels and intrigue. After a swim into the underworld Ducane begins to realize that niceness is not enough. No one in the book is good.
I love Iris Murdoch's books; they are always such a strange, mystical combination of slightly odd individuals in slightly odd circumstances, and all the things that subsequently happen to them there. This one is a fine example. Very enjoyable and interesting, as always.
(Shortlisted for the 1969 Booker Prize.)
In contrast to stagnant summer London, Octavian and Kate Gray's adoring community on the Dorset coast seems to offer Ducane refuge, but even here the aftereffects of violence poison an atmosphere already electric with adolescent quarrels and intrigue. After a swim into the underworld Ducane begins to realize that niceness is not enough. No one in the book is good.
I love Iris Murdoch's books; they are always such a strange, mystical combination of slightly odd individuals in slightly odd circumstances, and all the things that subsequently happen to them there. This one is a fine example. Very enjoyable and interesting, as always.
(Shortlisted for the 1969 Booker Prize.)
Enroute to msjoanna, who chose it from the 1001 Books VBB at BookObsessed
I've never read anything by Murdoch, but I keep meaning to, so now maybe I'll read this one. Looks great.
