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The Message To The Planet

By Iris Murdoch
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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
The Message To The Planet is a late novel by Iris Murdoch, exploring profound questions of existence through the story of Alfred Ludens, who chases the elusive mathematician and philosopher Marcus Vallar. As Marcus disappears, his friends—skeptical, fearful, and even dying—grapple with whether he is a genius, a seeker of God, or a victim haunted by the Holocaust. The narrative delves into the quest for metaphysical truth and the foundations of human consciousness in a seemingly random universe.
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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?

Ideal for readers interested in philosophical fiction, metaphysical themes, and deeply crafted literary narratives. Fans of Iris Murdoch's thoughtful and inventive storytelling will find this especially rewarding.

Book Hero thinking about your next read

For years, Alfred Ludens has pursued mathematician and philosopher Marcus Vallar in the belief that he possesses a profound metaphysical formula, a missing link of great significance to mankind. Patrick Fenman, poet, is dying because he thinks Marcus has cursed him.

Can human thinking discover the foundations of human consciousness?

A late novel from one of the twentieth century's most important writers - a story of the relationships that restore meaning in a seemingly random universe.

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

A late novel from one of the twentieth century's most important writers - a story of the relationships that restore meaning in a seemingly random universe.

For years, Alfred Ludens has pursued mathematician and philosopher Marcus Vallar in the belief that he possesses a profound metaphysical formula, a missing link of great significance to mankind.

Luden's friends are more sceptical. Jack Sheerwater, painter, thinks Marcus is crazy. Gildas Herne, ex-priest, thinks he is evil. Patrick Fenman, poet, is dying because he thinks Marcus has cursed him. Marcus has disappeared and must be found.

But is he a genius, a hero struggling at the bounds of human knowledge? Is he seeking God, or is he just another victim of the Holocaust, which casts its shadow upon him and upon Ludens, both of them Jewish?

Can human thinking discover the foundations of human consciousness?

Iris Murdoch's endlessly inventive imagination has touched a fundamental question of our time.

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?

Dame Judi Dench praised Murdoch's brilliance, while The Times hailed her imaginative vision and intelligence as remarkable. Philippa Gregory expressed her admiration for Murdoch's novels, and Philip Toynbee noted her cleverness without aridity. The Sunday Times acknowledged her compelling creation of an alternative world comparable to great literary explorers.

Book Hero reading reviews

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780099583288

Publisher: Vintage Publishing

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 20 May 2013

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Vintage Classics

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 35.0mm

Width: 129.0mm

Height: 198.0mm

Weight: 395g

Pages: 576

Collections

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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.

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