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The Good Apprentice

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The Good Apprentice

By: Iris Murdoch
Narrated by: Christopher Cazenove
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Summary

Edward Baltram is overwhelmed with guilt. His nasty little prank has gone horribly wrong: He fed his closest friend a sandwich laced with a hallucinogenic drug, and the young man fell out of a window to his death. Edward's guilt and depression are worsened by daily letters from the young man's mother cursing Edward as a murderer. Tortured, Edward searches for redemption through a reunion with his famous father, the reclusive painter Jesse Baltram.

©2003 Iris Murdoch (P)2003 Phoenix Books, Inc. Classics Dark Humour Genre Fiction Literature & Fiction Psychological Fiction
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Critic reviews

"[T]he reader's involvement with the huge cast never diminishes, nor does attention to their wit and philosophical exchanges flag.” (Publishers Weekly)

"Iris Murdoch at her most artful, juggling philosophy and farce with knowledge and ease." (Economist)

"Murdoch works with an intellectual daring most writers only dream of." (The Philadelphia Inquirer)
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Was expecting something more exciting, since i like Iris' novels. This one is quite boring.

Not impressed at all

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Stuck with it but very heavy going. Murdoch remains a favourite nevertheless. Here's hoping.

Overwritten, sadly.

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Epic study of Human reaction and Behaviour. The reader was a Perfect asset to Ms Murdoch story.

Epic in the study of human reaction and behaviour.

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At first it’s difficult to know where one is but soon one is happy being with Iris Murdoch’s lovely and, some not so lovely, characters. An extensive old house with artistic enhancements from a senile artist lived in by three single women and near to the sea although it’s so difficult to walk to the sea or even view the sea from the house. An Angel called ‘Brownie’ who rescues Edward who is responsible for the death of her brother. If you happen to know London then you will know where you are in the parts of the book that happen in London. Coincidence. It is very well read by Christopher Cazenove. It’s very philosophical but not intrusively so. I loved it and will probably listen to it again. If you are intrigued by Iris Murdoch then this reading of the novel should bring you joy.

Pure pleasure to listen to Iris Murdoch read so well

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Oh dear. I like Iris Murdoch, but really. A parody of herself. Cloistered bonkers women, great mad artists, neurotic prolix intellectuals, ludicrous co-incidences, bonkers plot twists, and characters lacking any sympathy who seem only to have a clean hankerchief where their common sense should be. Listen if you're a fan and then read 'Cold Comfort Farm' to put you right again.

Iris, really, you've gone too far this time

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