The Bell Audiobook By Iris Murdoch cover art

The Bell

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The Bell

By: Iris Murdoch
Narrated by: Miriam Margolyes
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Brought to you by Penguin.

Vintage Classics Murdoch: Funny, subversive, fearless and fiercely intelligent, Iris Murdoch was one of the great writers of the 20th century. To celebrate her centenary, Vintage Classics presents special editions of her greatest and most timeless novels.

A lay community of thoroughly mixed-up people is encamped outside Imber Abbey, home of an enclosed order of nuns. A new bell, legendary symbol of religion and magic, is rediscovered. Dora Greenfield, erring wife, returns to her husband. Michael Mead, leader of the community, is confronted by Nick Fawley, with whom he had disastrous homosexual relations, while the wise old Abbess watches and prays and exercises discreet authority. And everyone, or almost everyone, hopes to be saved whatever that may mean... Iris Murdoch's funny and sad novel is about religion, the fight between good and evil and the terrible accidents of human frailty.

©1958 Iris Murdoch (P)2011 Penguin Audio Classics Genre Fiction Literary Fiction
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What I noticed while listening to The Bell was the way in which things and events are described. Iris Murdoch uses a rich turn of phrase which embodies the work as if being painted in bright colours upon a canvas. It’s even seeping into the ether as I write this review.

A slow and meandering and fully immersive story of a bell and a group of people in a order who bring with them all the trials and emotions of their past lives.

A classic masterpiece

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A small lay religious community living beside a closed order of Benedictine nuns forms the context for the uneven story told in this novel from the 1950s. And, yes, it is showing its age. Dated references and attitudes seem uninportant in great books, but this is not a great book. At times it is a good one, but those times only serve to indicate that Iris Murdoch's best work lay in the future.

The real triumph to be found is Miriam Margolyes' superb reading. She brings every character to life with her mercurial talent. The end result is closer to a fine radio play than a conventional book reading.

An uneven book gets a great reading

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Enjoyed every bit of this enchanting story, delightfully told. there are flashes of humour interspersed with poignant moments; Murdoch's insights into what makes us human are precious.

A delightful story brilliantly told!

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