The Sea, The Sea
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The Sea, The Sea
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The Sea, The Sea
The Sea, The Sea by Iris Murdoch, a Booker Prize-winning novel, is now republished as part of the Vintage Classics Murdoch Series. This series features six gorgeous editions of her best, funniest, and most subversive novels, published to mark her centenary.
"I saw a monster rising from the waves."
Charles Arrowby has determined to spend the rest of his days in hermit-like contemplation. He buys a mysteriously damp house on the coast, far from the heady world of the theatre where he made his name. There, he swims in the sea, eats revolting meals, and writes his memoirs. However, he soon meets his childhood sweetheart, Hartley, and memories of her lovely, younger self crowd inβalong with more recent lovers and friendsβto disrupt his self-imposed exile. Instead of 'learning to be good', Charles proceeds to demonstrate how very bad he can be.
Winner of the Man Booker Prize 1978.
With an introduction by Daisy Johnson.
VINTAGE CLASSICS MURDOCH - Funny, subversive, fearless, and fiercely intelligent, Iris Murdoch was one of the great writers of the twentieth century. To celebrate her centenary, Vintage Classics presents special editions of her greatest and most timeless novels.
Series: Vintage Classics Murdoch Series
View allBook 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 The Sea, The Sea is acclaimed for its vibrant blend of wild adventures and deep psychological insights, encompassing a mix of swimming, eccentric meals, and tumultuous human relationships. Critics praise the novel's entertaining nature, noting its combination of intelligence and lively craziness, with a touch of divine fun. The writing is described as dazzlingly inventive and compelling, with Murdoch's descriptive prowess keeping readers eagerly turning the pages. Her imaginative vision and exploration of human truths are highlighted as remarkable contributions to contemporary literature.
Book Details
INFORMATION
ISBN: 9781784875190
Publisher: Vintage Publishing
Format: Paperback / softback
Date Published: 04 July 2019
Country: United Kingdom
Imprint: Vintage Classics
Contributors:
- Introduction by Daisy Johnson
- Introduction by John Burnside
Audience: General / adult
DIMENSIONS
Spine width: 39.0mm
Width: 128.0mm
Height: 178.0mm
Weight: 434g
Pages: 608
About the Author
Iris Murdoch (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. Daisy Johnson (Introducer) Daisy Johnson was born in 1990. Her debut short-story collection, Fen, was published in 2016. In 2018 she became the youngest author ever to be shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize with her debut novel Everything Under. She is the winner of the Harper's Bazaar Short Story Prize, A. M. Heath Prize and Edge Hill Short Story Prize. Her debut play, Viola's Room, was produced in 2024 by the immersive theatre company Punchdrunk. She currently lives in Oxford by the river.
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