95. Under the Net, Iris Murdoch

Under the Net, by Iris Murdoch

I love Iris’s writing. It is utterly entrancing. She has an amazing ability to weave words and I am in love with her prose. 

She can describe people and places in clear details but without too many words, which is a skill few writers possess. Her descriptions of characters are immensely pleasurable to read. She doesn’t just describe their looks, but adds in little tidbits of personality that allow each character to stand out in quirky detail.

I would very much like to read more of her books.

That being said, I am finding the subject matter trying; which is unfortunate because if I had picked up this book at a different time not connected to the 100 list I wouldn’t be feeling this way. The main character, John Donahue, called Jake, is another selfish drifter character similar to all the entitled men in the books I’ve already read. Jake is George, Port, Frank, Sebastian repackaged for 1950’s London.

The only difference I’ve seen so far is that Jack has the decency to be a little embarrassed about the desperate way he uses his friends. It doesn’t stop him from using his friends when he becomes homeless however, but his self awareness makes him an almost likable character.

He is closest to George and Port. Of all of these male Protagonists these are the only three who had the potential to grow and change. George did in The Magnificent Ambersons, and Port was working towards it before Tragedy struck in The Sheltering Sky. It’s possible that Jake may follow in these characters footsteps but I really just don’t care.

I’m tired of reading about self-entitled dysfunctional men. That’s five books in a row with this model as a main character and I’m just not into it.

True, if I had decided to re-read Sophie's Choice I could be reading about a dysfunctional woman, but she was made that way by living in a country invaded by a whole army of dysfunctional men, so no thank you.

This is disappointing to be, but as mentioned at a different time I would really enjoy this book. The writing is amazing. But I am loath to pick it up and subject myself to Jack and his wanderings.

This raises some questions for me. First, whether or not I should continue with the arbitrary plan to read the books in order from 100 to 1, or if I should change the plan and read whatever books standout as interesting to me.

The second question is about the list the list itself. How were these books chosen, why were these particular books picked? I’ll muse more on this in my next post. As of right now I am curious because it seems to me that all of these books (so far) are so similar and none of them stand out. Of all the literature in the world why choose books that are basically the same character bumbling along in a different plot?

In the meantime a decision needs to be made, whether to keep reading this book to completion or put it aside?

Unlike The Ginger Man, I’m not putting it aside because I am not enjoying it. I’m considering putting it aside because I’m burnt out on the subject matter.

If I put it aside, to I move to the next book, Wide Sargasso Sea or pick a book from the list that appeals?

* Spoiler Alert* I’ve already made this decision and have picked up a new book and I am LOVING IT! But I’ll get to that too.