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Poems from an Attic

Selected Poems, 1936-95
By Iris Murdoch
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Brief Description
Newly discovered, an intimate collection of poems that shine a light on Iris Murdoch's own life and loves. Poems from an Attic is a definitive collection of poems by the major twentieth-century novelist and philosopher, newly discovered in the attic of Murdoch's former home. While she... Read More
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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

Newly discovered, an intimate collection of poems that shine a light on Iris Murdoch's own life and loves.

Poems from an Attic is a definitive collection of poems by the major twentieth-century novelist and philosopher, newly discovered in the attic of Murdoch's former home.

While she is pre-eminent as one of the twentieth century's great novelists and philosophers, Murdoch's life as a poet has languished in the shadows. Yet throughout her life she wrote, revised, and re-wrote a sizeable collection of poems; publishing some but keeping many private and—ultimately—shut in a chest in her attic.

Their recent discovery marks a significant literary event. Ranging over nearly six decades, these searing, confessional poems balance craft with playfulness; psychological insight with Murdoch's own personal feelings. As an autobiographical account, they are unlike anything else. They shine a new light on Iris Murdoch's turbulent relationships with men and women, her decades-long marriage, and extraordinary life.

These radically honest poems are for anyone who has at one time or another gone soul-searching in the midst of heartbreak—and for those who have found solace in the quiet joys of friendship.

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781784746124

Publisher: Vintage Publishing

Format: Hardback

Date Published: 06 November 2025

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Chatto & Windus

Contributors:

  • Edited by Anne Rowe
  • Edited by Miles Leeson
  • Edited by Frances White
  • Edited by Rachel Hirschler

Audience: General / adult, Tertiary education, Professional and scholarly

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 20.0mm

Width: 143.0mm

Height: 226.0mm

Weight: 302g

Pages: 192

Collections

Arts & Culture Best Sellers at Book Hero General Fiction Gifts $20-$50 In Stock Arts & Culture Books In Stock Books Iris Murdoch LGBTQ+ New Release Fiction New Zealand's Best Selling Books Non-Fiction Penguin Books Philosophy & Psychology Philosophy & Stoicism Poetry

About the Author

Iris Murdoch (Author) Iris Murdoch was born in Dublin in 1919. After working in the Treasury and in the UN, she discovered philosophy, eventually becoming Fellow at St Anne's College, Oxford. Her philosophical concerns are at the heart of the 25 novels for which she became famous, gaining the Whitbread Prize for The Sacred and Profane Love Machine and the Booker Prize for The Sea, The Sea. Until her death in 1999, she lived in Oxford with her husband, the academic and critic, John Bayley. She wrote poetry all her life. Rachel Hirschler is the lead transcriber with the Iris Murdoch Collections at Kingston University Archives. Miles Leeson, Anne Rowe and Frances White are leading academics and editors who have published widely on Iris Murdoch's life, philosophy and novels. Together they administer and contribute to the work of the Iris Murdoch Research Centre, the Iris Murdoch Society and the Iris Murdoch Review.

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