Beschrijving
Titel en schrijver |
The Green Knight, Iris Murdoch |
ISBN nr. |
Onbekend |
Uitgeverij, drukjaar en drukversie |
Penguin Books, 1994 |
Paperback of hardcover |
Paperback |
Aantal pagina’s |
472 pagina’s |
Taal en categorie |
Engels, Roman |
Korte samenvatting |
The Green Knight is a philosophical novel written by Iris Murdoch and published in 1993. Set in contemporary London, the story centers around a group of eccentric characters whose lives are thrown into confusion after a mysterious event involving an attempted murder and a man believed to be dead who returns unexpectedly.
The novel opens with the news that a man named Lucas Graffe has killed another man named Peter Mir in self-defense. However, Peter later reappears alive, prompting the characters to confront questions about justice, forgiveness, and personal transformation. The main focus is on Lucas and his brother Clement, along with three sisters—Aleph, Sefton, and Moy—who become entangled in the complex moral and emotional drama. Murdoch’s narrative weaves philosophical ideas about good, evil, and redemption into the interactions among her characters. The title alludes to the medieval legend of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, which adds a symbolic layer to the novel. Peter Mir, in particular, resembles the Green Knight figure—mysterious, unsettling, and somehow redemptive. One of the novel’s strengths lies in Murdoch’s ability to explore profound ethical questions through seemingly ordinary lives. The characters wrestle with guilt, love, and the search for meaning. Lucas is tormented by his past actions, while Peter offers a strange form of forgiveness and mystery. The young characters, especially the three sisters, go through emotional growth as they face the consequences of adult decisions. Overall, The Green Knight is a richly textured novel that blends realism with myth. It is intellectually demanding but rewarding for readers interested in moral philosophy and human psychology. Iris Murdoch’s prose is dense and lyrical, making the novel both a challenging and a thought-provoking read. |
Over de auteur |
Iris Murdoch was a brilliant British novelist and philosopher, known for her deep exploration of moral and psychological themes. Her novels often examine the complexities of human relationships, free will, and the struggle between good and evil. Murdoch’s writing blends intellectual rigor with emotional depth, creating characters that are both flawed and profoundly human. She was also a respected philosopher, influenced by Plato and existentialism, and her fiction reflects these ideas. With works like The Sea, The Sea and The Green Knight, Murdoch left a lasting impact on 20th-century literature. Her thoughtful prose continues to challenge and inspire readers worldwide. |
Recensies |
The New York Times: An extraordinarily inventive and intellectually fecund novelist working at the very height of her powers.
The Observer: Murdoch shows herself to be, once again, an essential presence in the contemporary novel. |
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