Why people recommend it
A Word Child is a psychologically complex and morally intricate novel by Iris Murdoch that examines guilt, redemption, and the burdens of the past through the life of a troubled civil servant. On an episode of The Book Review titled How People First Arrived in the Americas, released on July 18, 2024, speaker John Williams shared that this title marked his fifth reading of Murdoch's work, noting that the novel was originally published in 1975, just a couple of years after her celebrated book The Black Prince. Additionally, on an episode titled Alice Elliott Dark on ‘Fellowship Point’, also released on July 18, 2024, host Gilbert Cruz mentioned that he was finally finishing the very same mid-1970s novel by Iris Murdoch. Both podcast segments highlighted a shared critical appreciation for Murdoch's distinctive literary voice and intellectual depth. By discussing their ongoing journeys through her extensive bibliography, the speakers underscored the lasting resonance of her character-driven dramas, demonstrating how her mid-career novels continue to captivate contemporary readers and critics who appreciate nuanced explorations of human conscience, regret, and personal accountability.
Who recommended it
- Gilbert Cruz Discussed
- John Williams Recommended
Gilbert Cruz — 1 mention
“I'm finishing finally this novel called a word Child by Iris Murdock which came out in the mid 70s”
John Williams — 1 mention
“I think this is my fifth novel by her now called a word child and it was published in 1975 a couple of years after the black prince”