Saying that, it is kind of charming to see Murdoch be so open about her views. In later novels Murdoch’s philosophical digressions would be more subtle. In a way this is not surprising as Existentialism was fashionable at the time. As for philosophical touchstones Wittgenstein’s mark is prominent but there also many traces of existentialism – hence the Paris chapters, which pay homage to Sartre. The book was published 66 years ago and a lot of the words spoken still hold. The conversations with the socialist clearly shows Murdoch’s political views. There were times I did laugh but underneath the humor there is a lot of anger. In the end he finds his true calling and it does involve the written word. On the way he destroys a movie set (without any doubt this is the book’s highlight), goes to Paris in the middle of Bastille Day, meets a hardcore socialist and kidnaps an ageing canine star. Thus the rest of the novel follows Jake’s attempts to find Hugo and apologise. In fact Jake feels guilty as Hugo firmly believes that spoken word should not be written. Jake remembers that Hugo was the inspiration behind his first novel. Sadie employs Jake to protect her flat in order to protect her from movie director Hugo. First a philosophy lecturer called Dave, when he refuses he goes to his first love Anna who suggests that he goes to her sister Sadie. He does this by visiting the people of his past. The book starts when Jake and Finn are kicked out of their living quarters. He also has an Irish sidekick called Finn. He has also written a novel based on philosophical conversations but that did not do so well. As a side job he translates novels by a mediocre French writer. It is a looser novel, there are funny moments and the plot is labyrinthine. Usually the plot themes that are amplified and improved in subsequent novels have their roots in the debut. Under the Net is my fourth Murdoch novel and to date I’ve liked each one.Ī debut novel from an established author can be a curious thing. The list consists of : Anne Tyler, Ann Patchett, Margaret Atwood, Jonathan Coe and Iris Murdoch definitely joins those ranks. What I mean by this is whenever I read a book by one of these authors I know I am in safe hands. There are some authors who I call old friends.
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