Book: The Book and the Brotherhood

"The Book and the Brotherhood" by Iris Murdoch is a rich and thought-provoking novel that explores the complexities of friendship, ideology, and the passage of time. The story centers around a group of Oxford graduates who once shared a youthful dream of supporting a brilliant but mercurial thinker, David Crimond, in writing a book that promised to change the world. Decades later, the group reconvenes during a Midsummer’s Night Ball, only to confront the disarray in both their personal and collective lives as Crimond finally begins to fulfill his long-anticipated literary ambitions. With Murdoch's characteristic blend of philosophical inquiry and richly drawn characters, the narrative delves into themes of love, betrayal, and the relentless march of time, challenging the idealism and aspirations of youth against the backdrop of adulthood's complex realities. As the characters face their intertwined fates, the novel raises poignant questions about the sacrifices they made and the paths they chose, all underscored by Murdoch’s astute observations on human nature.