The Good Apprentice Audiobook (Unabridged)

" It's been years since I read this, but I still remember even small details (the resting places for things on their way to another room, the girl dancing in the forest), while there are countless other books I have read since that I don't remember anything about. Iris Murdoch is one of the immortals. "

" It has been too long since I read Murdoch. My plan was to read all of her books in chronological order since her death in 1999, but when it is almost 2 years (2004, 2006, 2008, 2010) between books... that doesn't bode well! (There are only four left after this one.) Unlike the last one, I did enjoy reading this one, but it wasn't my favorite Murdoch. Story is of a young man and his family. The young man was involved in a dear friend's accidental death and is having a hard time dealing with it. His family is a mixed bag. He was raised by his step-father, but idolizes his father (along with everyone else). His aunt and step-father are having an affair, and this book gave me some real personal insight on all parties involved. His half-brother is in transition and is in a phase where he seems to be making religious commitments, even though he is not religious. His step-mother and half-sisters are living in his father's 'palace' with a very bizarre, rigid routine. The story can be summed up in a quote from one of the letters near the end. 'Life is full of terrible things and one must look into the future and think about what happiness one can create for oneself and others. There is so much good that we can all do, and we must have the energy to do it.' Spoiler alert: one difference between this Murdoch and others is that everyone seems to end up back where they started, but still be very different people due to their experiences in the story. Usually, Murdoch has them all end up somewhere totally else at the end, either in a completely different relationship or physical location "

" Wonderful, obviously, but I'm not sure if it creeps up to that fourth star. Some astounding writing, but perhaps a little too much waffle. There is psychological depth, and then there are psychological trenches. But it has that strangeness and quiet beauty that suffuses so many Murdoch novels. Not one of my favourites of hers, but still a fine thing. "

" The complexity with which Murdoch renders her. CHaracters is astonishing...layer upo layer of conflicting thought and meaning followed through and developed to inevitable conclusions. Gripping stuff. Food for. New writers, all writers. "

" A falling-in-love-athon, wise, witty page-turner, very entertaining, outrageous plot. Well into my top 10 IM. "

" I love Murdoch's world, where everyone is a middle class intellectual who spends all day thinking in complete sentences about sex and God. (A vast oversimplification, I'm sure, after having read just two of her 40 books. But I hope they're all like that.) "

" Exceptional, fantastical and deeply philosophical. "

" A very British author, and very enjoyable read. "

" This book drove me nuts, though I read it all the way through. Too much coincidence in the story line for plot device, weirdly portrayed characters, weak main character ... I could go on but I will not. Because that would keep reminding me how much I disliked this book. "

" I quit after reading about half of the book. I confess I got lost in the details of the story. "

" What can I say, I love it as I love all her books. Characters that make you think about character in those oh-so-familiar pairs, triangles, and squarings. I continually have to gear myself up for reading one of her books, but once I do I always wind up satisfied over the effort. "

" Man, I was referred this book by Gerard (who gave it 5 stars) and I was really surprised because he generally recommends good books. I don't know what else to say other than I really hated this book. "

" De leerschool in het nederlands "

" Astonishing characters and plot. "

" I had a hard time getting into this book. The plot was a bit strange and in the end it didn't come together for me in a satisfying way. The writing style did not draw me in either. "

" Nancy Pearl said I would enjoy Murdoch, but I was a bit bored. There were some clever insights into human behavior and at times it was funny, but I thought it went on a bit too long. "

" I'd been wanting to read a Murdoch novel, and chose this one. I did finish it, but found the read rather laborious and felt no real connections with any of the characters. Was really glad to return it to the library. "