Why people recommend it
A Severed Head is a sharp, satirical novel by Iris Murdoch that explores the complex and often scandalous romantic entanglements of upper-class British society. On an episode of The Book Review titled Samantha Power on What She's Learned, broadcast on July 18, 2024, Jennifer Szalai discussed the striking appeal of Murdoch's work. Jennifer Szalai highlighted the novel while talking about the author's broader bibliography, noting specifically that one of her other novels is called A Severed Head. Szalai remarked on the irresistible nature of the book's title, sharing her amusement by stating that she does not know anybody who can pass up a book with such a captivating and unusual name. The novel itself remains a hallmark of Murdoch's philosophical fiction, examining morality, illusion, and betrayal through a darkly comic lens that continues to engage readers and critics alike.
Who recommended it
- Jennifer Szalai Recommended
Jennifer Szalai — 1 mention
“one of her other novels called a severed head and I don't know anybody who can pass up a book with that title”