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Under the Net
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Under the Net Paperback - 1977

by Iris Murdoch


About this book

Published in 1954, Under the Net is the first novel by Anglo-Irish novelist, Iris Murdoch. The novel depicts the comedic struggles of Jake Donaghue, a striving young writer, to make it in the world and redeem himself for past faults. After getting kicked out of the house where he was freeloading, Jake finds his way to the workplace of his ex-girlfriend, Anna Quentin, who tells him to contact her sister, Sadie, for help. Jake quickly realizes that the two sisters have a connection to Hugo Belfounder, an old friend and philosopher who Jake betrayed by writing a novel about their philosophical conversations. After a series of misadventures, Jake and Hugo finally reconnect, and Jake reconciles with his past and ultimately realizes that his literary adventures are just beginning. Under the Net propelled Iris Murdoch to the public eye–it is known as one of her most popular novels. In 1998, Under the Net was selected as one of the books to appear in the Modern Library’s 100 Best Novels of the 20th-century list.

Summary

A comic novel about work and love, wealth and fame

Jake Donaghue, garrulous artist, meets Hugo Bellfounder, silent philosopher.

Jake, hack writer and sponger, now penniless flat-hunter, seeks out an old girlfriend, Anna Quentin, and her glamorous actress sister, Sadie. He resumes acquaintance with the formidable Hugo, whose ‘philosophy’ he once presumptuously dared to interpret. These meetings involve Jake and his eccentric servant-companion, Finn, in a series of adventures that include the kidnapping of a film-star dog and a political riot on a film set of ancient Rome. Jake, fascinated, longs to learn Hugo’s secret. Perhaps Hugo’s secret is Hugo himself? Admonished, enlightened, Jake hopes at last to become a real writer.

From the publisher

Iris Murdoch's debut--a comic novel about work and love, wealth and fame Jake Donaghue, garrulous artist, meets Hugo Bellfounder, silent philosopher. Jake, hack writer and sponger, now penniless flat-hunter, seeks out an old girlfriend, Anna Quentin, and her glamorous actress sister, Sadie. He resumes acquaintance with the formidable Hugo, whose 'philosophy' he once presumptuously dared to interpret. These meetings involve Jake and his eccentric servant-companion, Finn, in a series of adventures that include the kidnapping of a film-star dog and a political riot on a film set of ancient Rome. Jake, fascinated, longs to learn Hugo's secret. Perhaps Hugo's secret is Hugo himself? Admonished, enlightened, Jake hopes at last to become a real writer.

First line

HASH(0x1115b050)

First Edition Identification

The first edition of Under the Net was published in the U.K. in 1954 by Chatto & Windus. This edition is hardcover, with a dust jacket which contains art by Victor Ross on the front cover.

Details

  • Title Under the Net
  • Author Iris Murdoch
  • Binding Paperback
  • Edition [ Edition: Repri
  • Pages 256
  • Volumes 1
  • Language ENG
  • Publisher Penguin Books, E Rutherford, New Jersey, U.S.A.
  • Date October 27, 1977
  • ISBN 9780140014457 / 0140014454
  • Weight 0.45 lbs (0.20 kg)
  • Dimensions 7.74 x 5.16 x 0.7 in (19.66 x 13.11 x 1.78 cm)
  • Reading level 930
  • Dewey Decimal Code FIC

About the author

Iris Murdoch (1919-1999) was born in Dublin and brought up in London. She studied philosophy at Cambridge and was a philosophy fellow at St. Anne's College for 20 years. She published her first novel in 1954 and was instantly recognized as a major talent. She went on to publish more than 26 novels, as well as works of philosophy, plays, and poetry.
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