The Time of the Angels

The Time of the Angels is a 1966 philosophical novel by British novelist Iris Murdoch. The novel follows the reflection of the rector Carel Fisher, as he attempts to build a religious community amongst impoverished parishoners, despite the church being bombed out during World War II.[1] He is accompanied by his daughter Muriel, niece Elizabeth and West-Indian servant and mistress Pattie, all of whom are major characters in the novel.[2] These characters suffer a series of tragedies, which become the site of reflection; The New York Review of Books described the novel as "elegiac", "an anthology of defeats: magic, belief, prayer, love, and now perhaps poetry itself.".[3]

Reception

After the initial publication of the novel, reception was mixed. The New York Times reviewer Walter Allen though critical of the Murdoch's novels becoming "predictable", he concludes generally positive, writing that "Here, mystery is genuinely embodied; the reader's imagination is addressed, responds and is satisfied." [2] Kirkus reviews described the novel as a "mediocre work" partially because of her frequent novel writing, writing that the plot resembles the works of others, and that Murdoch's "prose has become flabby".[4] Commentary Magazine similarly attributed the novels mediocrity to Murdoch's speedy production of novels.[5]

A contemporary review by the website Complete Review concluded that the novel was a B+, writing that it was a "Bizarre, fascinating, certainly very readable -- and with some interesting philosophical issues cleverly considered -- The Time of the Angels is nevertheless a somewhat unsatisfying work."[1]

References

  1. 1 2 Orthofer, M.A. (3 September 2011). "The Time of the Angels by Iris Murdoch". The Complete Review. Retrieved May 5, 2016.
  2. 1 2 Allen, Walter (September 25, 1966). "Anything Goes". The New York Times Books. Retrieved May 5, 2016.
  3. ↑ Donoghue, Denis. "Magic Defeated". The New York Review of Books. Retrieved 2016-05-06.
  4. ↑ "THE TIME OF ANGELS by Iris Murdoch | Kirkus Reviews". Kirkus Reviews. Retrieved 2016-05-06.
  5. ↑ Garis, Robert (March 1, 1967). "The Time of the Angels, by Iris Murdoch". Commentary.
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