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An Unofficial Rose

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( 1,117 ratings, 121 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
In An Unofficial Rose by Iris Murdoch, the complex lives of several characters interconnect through themes of love, longing, and moral dilemmas. After the death of his wife, a retired civil servant contemplates rekindling a past romance, which triggers a chain of emotional upheavals among his family and circles. The novel delves into the intricacies of relationships and the often unintended consequences of pursuing personal happiness.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this book if you appreciate intricately woven tales of love, desire, and the complexities of human relationships. The author expertly explores the intertwining lives of an ensemble cast, revealing the emotional entanglements and moral dilemmas they face. Fans of character-driven narratives with a philosophical edge will find this a compelling read.

Book Hero thinking about your next read

After his wife's death, Hugh contemplates returning to his former mistress. Randall's young daughter, Miranda, is adored by her Australian cousin Penn, but has attachments elsewhere. Impelled by affection, lust and illusion, these characters search for love within a tightly woven web.

A complex Shakespearean comedy of intertwined relationships, as nine closely linked characters search for love

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

An Unofficial Rose offers a complex Shakespearean comedy of intertwined relationships, as nine closely linked characters search for love.

After his wife's death, Hugh contemplates returning to his former mistress. His son, Randall, longs to abandon his shapeless marriage for a perfect partner. Randall's young daughter, Miranda, is adored by her Australian cousin Penn, but has attachments elsewhere. Her mother Ann has her own private dream, while taking upon herself the strains and pains of all the others.

Impelled by affection, lust and illusion, these characters search for love within a tightly woven web.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Iris Murdoch's An Unofficial Rose is praised for its multifaceted narrative, blending elements of a soap opera, a British novel of sensibility, and philosophical exploration. Critics commend Murdoch's exceptional portrayal of love's transformative power, highlighting its potential for both ecstasy and cruelty. Her intricate depiction of human emotion and relationships positions her among literary greats, offering a profound yet optimistic view of the world.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780099285380

Publisher: Vintage Publishing

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 01 February 2001

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Vintage Classics

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 18.0mm

Width: 130.0mm

Height: 197.0mm

Weight: 214g

Pages: 304

About the Author

Iris Murdoch was born in Dublin in 1919. She read Classics at Somerville College, Oxford, and after working in the Treasury and abroad, was awarded a research studentship in philosophy at Newnham College, Cambridge. In 1948 she returned to Oxford as fellow and tutor at St Anne's College and later taught at the Royal College of Art. Until her death in 1999, she lived in Oxford with her husband, the academic and critic, John Bayley. She was made a Dame of the British Empire in 1987 and in the 1997 PEN Awards received the Gold Pen for Distinguished Service to Literature. Iris Murdoch made her writing debut in 1954 with Under the Net. Her twenty-six novels include the Booker prize-winning The Sea, The Sea (1978), the James Tait Black Memorial prize-winning The Black Prince (1973) and the Whitbread prize-winning The Sacred and Profane Love Machine (1974). Her philosophy includes Sartre: Romantic Rationalist (1953) and Metaphysics as a Guide to Morals (1992); other philosophical writings, including The Sovereignty of Good (1970), are collected in Existentialists and Mystics (1997).

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