Through the spiritual trials of two troubled stepbrothers, Iris Murdoch conducts an inventive allegorical exploration of morality.

Stuart Cuno has decided to become good. Not believing in God, he invents his own methods, which include celibacy, chastity and the abandonment of a promising academic career. At the same time, Stuart’s step-brother Edward Baltram is tormented by guilt because he has, he believes, killed his best friend. He dreams sometimes of redemption, sometimes of the most drastic of solutions - suicide.

Shortlisted
The Booker Prize 1985
Published by
Chatto & Windus
Publication date
Iris Murdoch

Iris Murdoch

About the Author

Iris Murdoch was born in Dublin and made her writing debut with Under the Net in 1954. She wrote 26 novels and several books of philosophy.
More about Iris Murdoch

Other nominated books by Iris Murdoch

The Book and the Brotherhood
The Sea The Sea
Prize winner
The Black Prince
The Nice and the Good
Bruno's Dream