Iris Murdoch's first novel is set in a part of London where struggling writers rub shoulders with successful bookies, and film starlets with frantic philosophers. Its hero, Jake Donaghue, is a drifting, clever, likeable young man who makes a living out of translation work and sponging on his friends. A meeting with Anna, an old flame, leads him into a series of fantastic adventures. Jake is captivated by a majestic philosopher, Hugo Belfounder, whose profound and inconclusive reflections give the book its title - under the net of language. (20020220)
Under The Net (Vintage Classics)
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Under the Net announces the emergence of a brilliant talent (Times Literary Supplement 20020530)
Of all the novelists that have made their bow since the war she seems to me to be the most remarkable-behind her books one feels a power of intellect quite exceptional in a novelist (Sunday Times )
A dazzling story, light and comic in touch (The Times )
Iris Murdoch has imposed her alternative world on us as surely as Christopher Columbus or Graham Greene (Sunday Times )
This is a comedy with that touch of ferocity about it which makes for excitement (Elizabeth Jane Howard )
Of all the novelists that have made their bow since the war she seems to me to be the most remarkable-behind her books one feels a power of intellect quite exceptional in a novelist (Sunday Times )
A dazzling story, light and comic in touch (The Times )
Iris Murdoch has imposed her alternative world on us as surely as Christopher Columbus or Graham Greene (Sunday Times )
This is a comedy with that touch of ferocity about it which makes for excitement (Elizabeth Jane Howard )
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The debut novel from one of the most remarkable writers of the 20th century. (20020220)
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17 of 18 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
I audibly laughed through half the scenes of this amazing first novel. It is a great thing to make someone laugh out loud while reading and this book did it continually. Whether it be the point where Jake Donaghue sits outside Sadie's flat listening to the "plot" against him with the neighbours poking him to see what he'll do or the superhero stunts of Jake and Hugo at the Roman set saving Lefty. I couldn't stop myself from laughing at the clever wit of the situation. But, what is amazing is that behind all of this there are deep philosophical thoughts at work, but the spaciousness of these thoughts never intrude upon the enjoyability of the story. It is similar in that way to Bellow's Henderson the Rain King, but the comedy in this is up a few notches more. The story is deeply routed in London (with a side-trip to Paris) and this location no doubt gives all the more joy to readers familiar to the area with its deep descriptions of particular sections and jabs at the reputations of others. Yet, this too did not detract from the book's enjoyability because of the eloquence of her descriptions. "When caught unawares," Jake reflects, "I usually tell the truth, and what's duller that that." The book is one long reflection and so, according to this line, we are thenceforth suspicious of all we are told. Many points of his memory are probably deeply exaggerated and this would explain some of the all too convenient coincidences. But, who cares? It's a good, entertaining story. Ultimately, Murdoch is presenting a rather ideal view of the independent will of the free spirit. Jake's hope is neatly set forth at the end. But the ideals of living in regards to work and love, wealth and fame seem to be given a manageable frame in which to work in. What Murdoch seems to be saying is that we must be swept along by the course of our own story and not be caught "under the net." The old argument which Bellow echoes also of Being and Becoming. Living, not without reflection, but containing the dialogue between oneself and existence within because once it is set out on paper it becomes a story, not life. "The substance of my life is a private conversation with myself which to turn into a dialogue would be equivalent to self destruction." Jake is learning to live more fully by instinct and self-forgetfulness. He is learning to allow other people's point of views into his own life. He finds that by constantly looking only within himself he isn't able to see anyone there. The being has left.
13 of 14 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Hardcover
This is existential slapstick comedy. 'Life will drag you which ever way fate decrees,' it seems to tell us, 'so you might as well enjoy the ride.' It's anti-hero Jake Donaghue is a likeable rogue who manages to come up smiling from a series of bizarre set piece comic situations in which he finds himself enmeshed: a Roman film-set and the kidnapping of an acting dog being two of the most unlikely. It is possible to overrate this book as some kind of philosophical treatise. That seems to have happened a bit since the sad death of its author. But in reality it is an enjoyable romp written by the young Iris Murdoch about a 1950s London which must have seemed full of fun and possibilities. It's a good read, and it will make you laugh, a strong enough reason to give it a go surely?
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By Rotgut
VINE™ VOICE
Format:Paperback
Iris Murdoch's impressive debut novel remains as fresh and funny today as when she wrote it, over fifty years ago.
Although a philospophical study of life is being carried out in the book, it remains, relatively speaking, quite plot driven and the main characters are well defined and presented.
For me, the crux of the book is the relationship between the narrator, Jake and his estranged friend, Hugo, examined through a procession of unlikely and often comic set pieces.
A welcome, if rather unexpected, happy ending seems to promise a more conventional life for our hero and this feels right for a warm hearted and optimistic novel that is a delight to read and re-read.
Although a philospophical study of life is being carried out in the book, it remains, relatively speaking, quite plot driven and the main characters are well defined and presented.
For me, the crux of the book is the relationship between the narrator, Jake and his estranged friend, Hugo, examined through a procession of unlikely and often comic set pieces.
A welcome, if rather unexpected, happy ending seems to promise a more conventional life for our hero and this feels right for a warm hearted and optimistic novel that is a delight to read and re-read.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Useful item
I am a teacher and I think that this book could be useful to talk about a nice novel with my pupils.
Published on 20 April 2011 by Francesco
2.0 out of 5 stars
Superb novel, mixed Kindle experience.
I loved the novel. Gently funny and uplifting - a coming of age novel of sorts, I suppose.
The Kindle experience is what annoyed me - the text conversion seems to have... Read more
The Kindle experience is what annoyed me - the text conversion seems to have... Read more
Published on 27 Jan 2011 by J. Goretzki
5.0 out of 5 stars
wonderful wonderful
I loved this romp through fifties London from the very word go. It's entertaining, and a delightful escape. Read more
Published on 25 July 2006 by a nice guy
3.0 out of 5 stars
Fluffy soap.
This begins elegantly and is so readable. You find yourself in Mrs Tinckhams and gently drifting into the story with the first person. Read more
Published on 16 May 2006 by Mark Dickens
4.0 out of 5 stars
3.5 stars out of 5
Published in 1954, Under the Net is an entertaining novel about one season in Jake Donaghue's life. Read more
Published on 17 Feb 2006 by anibani
5.0 out of 5 stars
witty, wise, entertaining, phylosophical
A highly entertaining while also phylosophical and thought provoking novel written in a plain, yet poetic, smooth and captivating style that is characteristic of all Iris Murdoch's... Read more
Published on 11 Jan 2002
4.0 out of 5 stars
This is a book ahead of its time with its ironic anti-hero.
Under the Net seems like a book from the 90s, not 1954, with its theme that life is a bunch of meaningless events to which only the individual assigns meanings. Read more
Published on 22 May 2000
4.0 out of 5 stars
What a debut!!!
I almost gave the book five stars had it not been for some problems and unclarities in the plot. However, when one notices that this is Iris Murdoch's first novel these minor... Read more
Published on 15 Jun 1999
1.0 out of 5 stars
Boring aimlessly written 'comic' book without humour
If my memory serves me correctly it was said to be her first published work. If this is the case how it ever got into print amazes me. Read more
Published on 13 Jun 1999
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