Old Penguin paperback from 1967.

"When a group of well-meaning neurotics and perverts come together in a lay religious community to try to forge a new and better life, the situation calls out al the humour and insight for which Iris Murdoch is famous. The theme of her novel in the dark conflict between sex and religion, symbolized by the new and old bells of the abbey convent across the lake. Here is a story which again demonstrates this writer's unusual sensivity and her talent for creating character."

Interesting story - not an easy book to read because of the religious and philosophical things in it. The characters were very complexed and that made them quite real. The combination of homosexuality and religion seem to be current topic even today!

Sending this as a HGG surprise to someone in Finland who has it on her wishlist!

26.10.2008 The post had delivered the book on Friday. Thank you for fulfilling my wish, Chania!

1.4.2012 During the first months of this year I read several books while breastfeeding continuously. This book was one of them. And also first book I've ever read by Iris Murdoch. First I found hard to get into the story, but after struggling for a while I was absorbed in the story. The characters were really interesting and complexed. Therefore they seemed really real. At times I found story a bit hard to read, but I think it was because I'm not a native English speaker. All in all I found the book really enjoyable and I look forward to read more books by Murdoch in the future.

Thank you! It is always nice to receive a book from my wishlist.

This one has been in my book shelf way til Long. Time to release.

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