Easter 1916 as a comic opera with an occasional death. How does Iris get away with it? At one point she had all of the characters turning to each other and saying "This is ridiculous." But it's such good fun and the people in Murdoch's universe are so witty, pretty and/or rich, that I just can't get enough. Pat was an additional treat here, firmly from Mishima Country. "'I think being a woman is like being Irish,' said Frances, … 'Everyone says you're important and nice, but you take second plac...

My feeling about Irish Murdoch is a little bit like that for take away pizzas-enjoyable while consumed but somehow not entirely satisfying. She annoys me for having said, concurring with Angus Wilson, in answer to a survey conducted I think by "The Observor" about forty years ago, that she considered the most overrated English language novelist of the twentieth century to be EM Forster. In my opinion at the time, precisely my two candidates for that "honour" were Angus Wilson and..Iris Murdoch!

I had heard from our read along group that this novel was a departure from Iris Murdoch’s previous novels in that it is set in 1913 at the time of the Dublin uprising and has a real historical event at its center, rather than some country house or mansion with characters who appear isolated from anything but their own petty lives. However, in many ways this has many of the same elements as the eight novels that come before it; there are still several weak male characters, the set piece scenes of...

A very enjoyable, entertaining read with well developed characters and an unpredictable plot. Set mostly in Dublin, Ireland around the time of the Easter Rebellion of 1916, the story follows the lives of related families. Andrew Chase-White is in the British Army, aged 21, and living in Dublin. His girlfriend is Frances Bellman. Pat Dumay is related to Andrew. Pat is 19 years old, Catholic and an Irish Patriot. Frances father, Christopher Bellman has proposed marriage to Millie Kinnard who is fe...

This was a nice book. I'm impressed by Murdoch's compassion and the way it coexists with her razor-sharp insight. She never seems to condemn human frailty, but she sees it very clearly. Although she deflates the concept of soldierly heroism in warfare/revolution and the idea of romantic love, her women characters are all heroic in their own ways, and she shows filial and familial love to be deep and inexhaustible wells.

This is a book which I might appreciate more on rereading, as I feel I spent the bulk of the novel trying to figure out just what it was going to be about. Was it going to be (view spoiler)[historical fiction about the Easter Rising, or humorous middle-class family drama about people who are so caught up in their own personal concerns that they narrowly miss the chance to involve themselves in a watershed historical moment in their own city? (hide spoiler)] Only as I came to the end did I reali...

This is a marvelous book. I love the way Murdoch explores character and feeling. She describes Dublin and Ireland exquisitely, especially the phenomenon of rain. This story details the week leading up to the Easter Rising, in 1916. Through Murdoch's ensemble of characters, the intricate web of politics and cultural sentiment is detailed with great care. I really loved this novel, and returned to page one to read it through a second time the moment I had completed the first.

The Red and the Green is about love in all its many aspects. It's about being human and all the mistakes we make. It's about moving beyond judgment. It's about how we stumble to understand who we are and why we do the things we do. It's about striving to not be alone in a world that does not always make sense.Iris Murdoch's ability to expose the psychological reasons behind why the characters in her books act and think the way they do increases with each novel. The Red and the Green is my ninth

After reading this, I still can't tell if Iris Murdoch is a serious lady, or a gross sexy monster. Like her other books (that I know, at least), it reads like a cross between a romance novel and a suspense novel with a big dash of metaphysics thrown in. It makes for a good read, but also makes me not quite trust her. I have the pleasurable but uneasy sensation of being taken for a ride.Again like her other books, her characters felt a little like types created to battle out the question how best...

The story wavers about for half the book and we lose sight of who the main characters are--some may be totally unnecessary. About 2/3 of the way in, suspense develops and it is hard to stop reading, but all in all, not one of her best efforts. Still, Iris is better than most, even when off her game.

I loved the character of Barney, he mad the whole book for me, he was so funny and so pathetic.

In general, you can lump Iris Murdoch novels into three categories. One, a trickster or devil figure plays with others’ emotions in horrifying ways for various amusements: the novels that I’ve read in this category are The Black Prince, The Sea, the Sea, A Fairly Honourable Defeat, Under the Net. Another category involves her creating a messianic or influential “enchanter” figure generally based on her relationship with Elias Canetti — whether she’s writing earnestly or ironically: The Philosoph...

I read this because I found it at a book sale and anticipated a good read from this author. Early on, it was not clear to me just what her purpose was. First I thought it was about WWI. Then it seemed to be about the Irish uprising. Also much was made about the romantic relationships of the families in the town. In the end it was a little about each, but nothing of significance. "Aunt Millie" kept taking over the story as she tried to get almost anyone into her bed. And she did. Her appeal was d...

Read the full review on my blog https://miscellanypages.wordpress.comI post book reviews, recommendations and all things literary!Rating: 3 starsCategory: Historical fictionSynopsis: Andrew: a slightly reluctant soldier in the First World War. Pat: a member of the militant Irish Volunteers. Millie: an eccentric and passionate woman whose home is being used to store weaponry. The Red and the Green interrogates the lives of this troubled family as events escalate towards the Easter Rising, a pivot...

All the male characters in this book spent pages upon pages in maudlin, self-centered reflection, especially about how much they are maligned/loved/hated/manipulated/controlled by the women in their lives. None of the female characters do any self -reflection. Worse, they are, each & every one, horrible, guilt-inducing, needy, cantankerous, whiny, & wildly unpredictable creatures without any redeeming qualities. And worst of all is the horrible, incestuous spider of an Aunt Millie. Most of the c...

I believe this is Murdoch's only historical novel, and she doesn't handle it as deftly as she does most of her stories. That said, it is still well worth reading. Set in and around Dublin at the time of the Easter Rising of 1916, it features a large cast of characters, some Protestant and some Catholic, many of whom are related to one another. After some historical explication it becomes a typical Murdoch novel, concerned with love and infatuation and the way we deceive ourselves even as we stru...

I hope with a little research I'll feel much better about this one. But is there even any mention of economic exploitation as a motive for the rebellion? It entirely devolves on Pat as a repressed gay, whose charisma we have to take on faith, and Millie as a compulsive flirt, ditto. And was Pat seriously planning to murder his own beloved brother just to keep him out of the fight??? If these are supposed to represent the motives of historical figures, I need convincing (and I wonder why their na...

I really enjoyed this book. Signature Iris Murdoch with a small, connected group of people being attracted to/ involved with each other in strange and surprising ways, plus the comic clash between how people see themselves vs how others see them. Add to this the dramatic backdrop of Dublin, Easter 1916, and you have a winner.

I find the earlier novels less over-worked with philosophical ethics and the better for it. Comfortable transition between inner (navel-gazing) voice and dialogue in what is ultimately a farce, circumstantial personal events and the political context. "Well, a woman caught in my situation has got to adopt some tone, and it's not easy to combine devastating frankness with calm dignity".

Murdoch steps out of her box and writes a historical novel for her ninth. Not as philosophical as her others and still quite thought provoking. Some very annoying characters along with others I want to read more, I certainly don’t get the appeal/charisma of Millie. I am enjoying for journey through Murdoch’s novels.

A fine example of Murdoch’s craftIris Murdoch is able to make use of the English language skillfully in telling of stories of everyday people in a way that is interesting and captivating. The Red and the Green is a tale of normal people caught up in abnormal events.

Loved it, I’m a sucker for the setting and time period and found it beautifully written. Taking place just before the doomed Easter Rising of 1916, the plot was wonderfully spun out with the complicated family dynamics, secrets and tension, and all the while a revolution is simmering close in the background. Excellent story telling.

This is a good but not very satisfying novel. One of my least favorites so far of Ms. Murdoch’s. Millie was the most enjoyable character until she suddenly stopped being interesting. Would’ve liked her to stay daring and risqué all the way through.

My word, what a family wreath! A bit more cumbersome than usual from Murdoch. Not my favourite, but occasionally good fun.

Several changes of hearts & lots of hopes of fighting.

Iris Murdoch is such a great writer!

FabulousVery good history of Easter Uprising. Reading history through the eyes of an author’s characters is much more lively than just reading the facts.

A look at the lives of Dublin residents in the days leading up to the Easter uprising, with a special focus on a widow who seems to want to end Lent a week early.

Rounding up from 4.5 stars. This was right in my wheelhouse. Great story, clever and descriptive prose. Suffered from a paucity of sympathetic characters.

Read this again in 1985.