Rate this book

Clear rating

1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

Nuns and Soldiers

by Iris Murdoch, Karen Armstrong (Introduction)

3.89 of 5 stars 3.89 · rating details · 301 ratings · 23 reviews

Set in London and in the South of France, this brilliantly structured novel centers on two women: Gertrude Openshaw, bereft from the recent death of her husband, yet awakening to passion; and Anne Cavidge, who has returned in doubt from many years in a nunnery, only to encounter her personal Christ. A fascinating array of men and women hover in urgent orbit around them: th...more

Paperback, 512 pages

Published July 30th 2002 by Penguin Classics (first published 1980)

more details... edit details

Get a copy:

More…

Friend Reviews

To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up.

Lists with This Book

Contemporary Romance with Literary Merit

25th out of 27 books — 4 voters

Pale Kings And Princes by Robert B. Parker

Title Search: Plural and Plural

79th out of 122 books — 24 voters

More lists with this book...

Community Reviews

(showing 1-30 of 500)

filter | sort: default (?) | rating details

Feb 20, 2013 Smcleish rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Originally published on my blog here in April 2005.

The Sea, the Sea is one of my favourite Murdoch novels and one of her most famous; its follow-up is much less well known. It doesn't quite equal its predecessor, but it is well worth reading, more so than her later novels.

Nuns and Soldiers begins on a deathbed; Guy Openshaw tells his wife that she should marry again. She is reluctant to do this, feeling that it would be a betrayal, but then, quite soon after Guy's death, Gertrude falls unexpecte...more Originally published on my blog here in April 2005.

The Sea, the Sea is one of my favourite Murdoch novels and one of her most famous; its follow-up is much less well known. It doesn't quite equal its predecessor, but it is well worth reading, more so than her later novels.

Nuns and Soldiers begins on a deathbed; Guy Openshaw tells his wife that she should marry again. She is reluctant to do this, feeling that it would be a betrayal, but then, quite soon after Guy's death, Gertrude falls unexpectedly in love with a much younger man, a poverty stricken painter. This horrifies her friends, partly for snobbish reqasons and partly because they assume that Tim Reede is really after Gertrude's money. When they discover that Tim had hidden from Gertrude the fact that he was already in a long term (if informal) relationship when he met her, they feel that their suspicions have been confirmed. Murdoch makes it clear that he really did fall for Gertrude and that he hid the relationship from pure embarrassment, but that is not how it looks to Gertrude's friends or (eventually) to Gertrude, and succeeds in making everybody miserable.

So why the rather strange title? There is a literal nun in the story, Gertrude's friend Anne, who has recently left an enclosed order after losing her faith. On the other hand, there are no real soldiers. The distinction seems to be more between passive and active characters, with nuns and soldiers being traditional archetypes of each. Most characters in this novel move from one to the other end of the spectrum (and back again), and the reader is also shown that the characters' self perception does not always match their position.

Nuns and Soldiers is not a happy novel, but it is a good one. It doesn't have quite the impact of The Sea, The Sea, possibly because it starts with a death bed scene and possibly because a fair amount of philosophical discussion is presented in the early chapters: there are both emotional and intellectual hurdles to get over before a reader can get into the story itself. The transformation of Tim Reede's character throughout the novel is interesting, but on the other hand some of the less characters are either very ordinary or have odd things done to them by the author. The Polish man nicknamed "the Count" is an example; Murdoch seems to vacillate about just how important a part he should play. (This is actually quite clever, as real relationships ebb and flow in ways normally drastically simplified in fiction.) Though it is fairly hard work on the conceptual level, Nuns and Soldies is made accessible by Murdoch's style, which keeps the story flowing along. What I particularly like about the novel are the scenes when characters discuss others behind their backs, which may be incidental to the plot but which say a lot about their relationships and perceptions of each other. (less)

like · see review

Jan 06, 2009 Manny rated it 3 of 5 stars

I find Iris Murdoch novels as hard to keep separated in my head as Bond movies. Usually, though, there is at least one memorable incident which I clearly associate with the book.

Here, the scene I remember involves Gertrude and the odd, slightly geeky character that everyone calls the Count. Gertrude asks him whether he'd like to play chess. She's a complete beginner. He's very good, though she isn't aware of this. She's surprised when he refuses. "Why not?" she asks. He says, "Because it would b...more

1 like · like · see review

Dec 28, 2012 Julieta Paradiso rated it 4 of 5 stars

Certainly, a gripping story, with its typical Murdochian twists and turns; its intriguing, romantic, intertwined, magical, and intellectual plot that make it the more entertaining and exciting. For Murdoch’s books are unforgiving, just like their creator: you either love them or hate them, no shades of grey in between. What can one say after reading Nuns and Soldiers—a novel humming (or rather screaming) with ideas that become larger than the characters themselves— that hasn’t been said of her o...more

like · see review

Apr 22, 2011 Yongling rated it 3 of 5 stars

When I finally reached the end of Nuns and Soldiers, all I felt was relief. I took quite a bit of time to make it to the end, 6 weeks. The book is very much Iris Murdoch, examining the philosophy of life, love, religion.

The story's central figure, Gertrude went through her own personal turmoil, falling in love with a being who was considered to be morally and socially inferior after the passing of her husband. The web of lies spun, deceits thrown and emotional upheavals of the characters around...more

like · see review

May 05, 2010 Ali rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Nuns and Soldiers is the latest book to be tackled by us Murdoch a monthians - (or every other monthians as we are now). I enjoyed it very much, however it doesn't quite have the impact and scope of The Sea, the sea, which we last read. A good many familiar Murdoch themes are present in this novel, goodness, religion, philosophy among them, there are some complicated relationships and motivations among the characters. What is fascinating with IM is how often those characters who you imagine woul...more

like · see review

May 05, 2012 Kathy rated it 5 of 5 stars

I once characterized the typical Iris Murdoch plot as A loves B, who is involved with C, who wants to give his/her life to a Great Ideal.

Well, that's symplistic, of course. But I love Murdoch nonetheless, even though reading all her novels in the space of a summer of romance (I being in love with A, who loved B, and so on) I did find myself making bets with myself as to which page the black dog would appear upon, and where the stones would figure. She's unique. You will love her or you will be w...more

like · see review

Jun 05, 2012 Booker rated it 4 of 5 stars

I first read this novel when I was in art school from the pov of a young budding artist. I am now enjoying it from an entirely different pov as an accomplished artist faced by the pains and struggle of social etiquette. Iris Murdoch is a relationship writer, sort of like Jane Austen, but British, semi-modern, I would also compare her human insights on feminine issues to those of Erica Jong, albeit more tame, almost in spite of her British modality. I really enjoy the picaresque descriptive writi...more I first read this novel when I was in art school from the pov of a young budding artist. I am now enjoying it from an entirely different pov as an accomplished artist faced by the pains and struggle of social etiquette. Iris Murdoch is a relationship writer, sort of like Jane Austen, but British, semi-modern, I would also compare her human insights on feminine issues to those of Erica Jong, albeit more tame, almost in spite of her British modality. I really enjoy the picaresque descriptive writing.
With Murdoch's masterful emotional twists and turns among her rational wrestling of the social disorder in the circles of Ebury Street, and the ever watching conscience of a guy named Guy, who is no longer with us, two women wrestle with the soul of love, the divine desire of "what women want" before Mel Gibson ever thought about it. The artist struggle is the spectacle from which all characters in the book eventually draw their resolve and criticisms. The marriage of passion and reason, a most unlikely choice, yet nevertheless shows us that love always beats the demon, whatever demon that was.. and Murdoch's subtle sense of time and humour are fulfilling.
I was then who I am now.. nothing changes much, although it never stays the same.
However, then I was an artist in art school seeing things from the perspective of a starving artist. nowadays I see it more through the eyes of the others in the artist's way. ie. seeing life as an artist through the eyes of the social elite as seen through the life of the artist. Both the relationship with Daisy and the affair with Gertrude, both are lives that I have lived since the first time I had read this when it came out in 1980. Just out of art school, I was intrigued with older women, because they had a story, now they kind of wear on my conscience and I much prefer the empty whim of a lithe fairy.
The tale speaks both of the burdensome baggage of English social culture and the struggle of the artist to find place and meaning in any community where he/she may find themselves. I now can relate to Daisy as much as to Tim. Creativity knows no gender.. only critics think it so.
(less)

like · see review

Sep 20, 2010 Nathan James rated it 3 of 5 stars

Recommended to Nathan by: Steve

Shelves: 2010

My jury is still out on this one. Honestly, I'm not sure if I really liked it or really hated it.

SPOILERS AHOY AHOY

The unrequited love story lines felt genuine. But there were instances where I didn't fully understand a character's motivations: Gertrude and Tim's break-up and their lack of communication, Manfred and Veronica's doings at the end there, pretty much anything Gertrude did of her own volition.

I didn't care as much for the characters individually as I did for their relationships. The...more My jury is still out on this one. Honestly, I'm not sure if I really liked it or really hated it.

SPOILERS AHOY AHOY

The unrequited love story lines felt genuine. But there were instances where I didn't fully understand a character's motivations: Gertrude and Tim's break-up and their lack of communication, Manfred and Veronica's doings at the end there, pretty much anything Gertrude did of her own volition.

I didn't care as much for the characters individually as I did for their relationships. The exceptions were Tim, all bumbly and unsure of his status as Gertrude's second love, and the delightfully bitter Daisy. Daisy's encounter with Anne was memorable. I think Iris Murdoch is at her best when she's writing dialogue. The conversation between those two characters in that scene spans from friendly curiosity to aggression/submission to an understanding between the two women about their similarities. And later when Anne tells Gertrude that she liked Daisy, the reader understands how a woman could be fond of someone she almost fled from in fear.

There really was no climax in this story, was there? I suppose Guy's passing could be considered one but most of the action of the plot takes place between Tim and Gertrude after Guy is out of the picture. Anne's moving out the first time might be considered a climax but she moves back in rather quickly and it doesn't change anything much. If Anne had point blank told the Count of her longing that would have been the climax. But that scene sadly never occurred. The Count was still so wrapped up in his lust for G. that he never saw what was right in front of him.

I think that touches on what I didn't like about the book. Everyone was waiting for something to happen. The characters were all so stupidly passive - it felt like most of the book was each character ruminating on what they would do if they had the balls to change their lives. Frustrating. Here's the short letter I would have written to the characters if I could have:

Anne - anyone who claims to have lost their religion but is still seeing Jesus in her kitchen has some unresolved issues. I agree the Count is ridiculous for not noticing what you're doing for him; but, girrrl, there are so many other fish in the sea. Including two people in the group that are rich and sweet on you! Grab those bulls by the horn (so to speak) and forget the forlorn Pole who's happy to share the love of his life with a hippy painter.

Count - stop feeling sorry for yourself and take a risk. You're a grown man and the love of your life married a no-talent painter. She isn't too hung up with titles and social class, is she? What the hell are you waiting for?

Gertrude - who the eff do you think you are demanding all of your friends to stay in your life to console you? If you truly loved them, you would let them go. Yes, losing Guy is difficult and I see no issues with you leaning on friends to help you through it. But requiring them to stay involved in your self-absorbed life is not doing them any favors.

I think that may also be why I liked Daisy - she was the only character in the novel that took things at face value and had an ending with some hope. I'd like to think she quit drinking and went back to painting and became successful. (less)

like · see review

Jun 01, 2009 Faith Bradham rated it 3 of 5 stars

Ahhh, I didn't really like this one. I don't know why I'm even giving it 3 stars ... maybe because I feel like it should deserve 3 stars but I'm too uncharitable to give it that many? Whatever.
The main reason I didn't like Nuns and Soldiers was that I hated the ending. Ugh, what a horrible ending. It made me hate everyone; I ended up not liking any of the characters ... except maybe Manfred, which is so weird, because I didn't like him at all until the end. Even the Count lost his charm for me....more

like · see review

Apr 21, 2013 Christopherch rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Lacks a convincing intellectual core crucial to her large, later works and untethered from a strong central theme, drifts into rambling melodrama. Very well written and cleverly structured melodrama and certainly entertaining, but ultimately, barren, unsatisfactory.

Redeeming quote:
We are all the judges and the judged, victims of the casual malice and fantasy of others, and ready sources of fantasy and malice in our turn. And if we are sometimes accused of sins of which we are innocent, are ther...more

like · see review

Feb 23, 2011 Geoff rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: favourites

I'd read plenty of Murdoch books before but this one was a little slow to get going but after a chapter or so I really couldn't put it down. The all-pervasive spectre of the dying husband and the other eccentric characters make it especially memorable and Nuns and Soldiers is now one of my favourite novels of Murdochs. It may even have to be in my 'desert island books' list!

like · see review

Nov 02, 2009 Lauren Albert rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: fiction

Like another reviewer said, it is easy for Murdoch's books to blend together. I was thinking about it last night--a Murdoch novel is a thinking person's melodrama. But the melodrama can start to wear on one after reading a lot of her books. I still think that everyone should give her books a try--I loved them all the first time I read them 20 years ago. Perhaps I have just overdosed?

like · see review

Aug 11, 2012 Dianne Taimsalu rated it 5 of 5 stars

Not to everyone's taste - said to be one of Iris Murdoch's weakest books. But the more you read it, the more fascinating it gets. Have read it at least four times and am reading it as our current bookclub book this month. Waiting to hear if everyone has hated it - sure to be controversial.

like · see review

Feb 11, 2007 Courtney rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: britlit, fiction

I love Iris Murdoch. I am working my way through her entire catalog.

A novel of two women: Gertrude Openshaw, bereft from the recent death of her husband, yet awakening to passion; and Anne Cavidge, who has returned in doubt from many years in a nunnery, only to encounter her personal Christ. A fascinating array of men and women hover in urgent orbit around them: the "Count," a lonely Pole obsessively reliving his émigré father's patriotic anguish; Tim Reede, a seedy yet appealing artist, and Da...more

like · see review

Aug 23, 2009 Eileen rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: britlit, virago

Quite good. My first reaction was to be extremely happy for good, complex, differentiable characterization. The plot and pacing are also good. Read it.

like · see review

Jul 23, 2012 Laurel marked it as to-read

Part of revisiting Murdoch summer 2012

like · see review

Jul 05, 2012 Liz rated it 4 of 5 stars

Vintage Murdoch, one of my favourites.

like · see review

Nov 30, 2010 A.J. rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: couldn-t-finish

Boring, boring, boring. I read to page 450 of 500 and just couldn't go on.

like · see review

Mar 15, 2008 Liza rated it 4 of 5 stars

Early on in Nuns and Soldiers, one character reminds another that it is their duty to resist despair. I actually was taken aback at that. Of all the reasons to resist despair somehow duty had never presented itself to me. And I'll tell you: it sounded good. There is something so appealing about that kind of simple moral authority. Unfortunately for our ability to gain consolation, but fortunately, I guess, for the quality of the novel, things don't remain so simple.

like · see review

May 20, 2008 Sarah rated it 4 of 5 stars

The reviews on the bookjacket said this novel was about deceptions- deliberate and unconscious, inward and outward, but I felt it was more about the very different impulses that motivate people, paradoxically and overlapping, and an exploration of how four fundementally decent people attempt to navigate and make sense of the mysterious, inexplicable things that motivate them. And Iris Murdoch writes some exceptional sentences.

1 like · like · see review

Sep 13, 2012 Angela Mcpherson rated it 4 of 5 stars

Excellent book. Excellent characterisation and examination of the dilemmas people create for themselves.

like · see review

Apr 03, 2007 kasia rated it 4 of 5 stars

Somewhat melodramatic and a touch formulaic, but still enjoyable. It's one of those "philsophical novels" that read like cheap romances. See also: Ayn Rand.

like · see review

Jun 21, 2008 Kathryn Pratt rated it 5 of 5 stars

This book is fantastic intellectual beach-reading. It is also very good--I don't mean to take a swipe at it by classifying it as entertaining!

like · see review

Jun 16, 2013 Twonko rated it 5 of 5 stars

Jun 14, 2013 Dott. Italo Perazzoli marked it as to-read

Jun 17, 2013 Heather rated it 5 of 5 stars

Jun 10, 2013 Nenia Campbell marked it as kind-of-want

Shelves: x-1980s

Jun 09, 2013 Kate rated it 2 of 5 stars

Jun 08, 2013 Steven Pugmire rated it 4 of 5 stars

Jun 04, 2013 Tim Diggles rated it 4 of 5 stars

« previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 … 16 17 next »

new topic
Discuss This Book

There are no discussion topics on this book yet. Be the first to start one »

Recommend it | Stats | Recent status updates

combine
Other Editions (9)

More editions...

Genres

Novels

5 users

Classics

3 users

European Literature > British Literature

2 users

See top shelves...

Readers also enjoyed similar books

About Iris Murdoch

Dame Jean Iris Murdoch

Irish-born British writer, university lecturer and prolific and highly professional novelist, Iris Murdoch dealt with everyday ethical or moral issues, sometimes in the light of myths. As a writer, she was a perfectionist who did not allow editors to change her text. Murdoch produced 26 novels in 40 years, the last written while she was suffering from Alzheimer disease.

"She w...more

More about Iris Murdoch...

Books by Iris Murdoch

More…

Share This Book

Facebook Twitter Your website

Trivia About Nuns and Soldiers

1 trivia question

More quizzes & trivia...

Quotes from Nuns and Soldiers

“As we live our precarious lives on the brink of the void, constantly coming closer to a state of nonbeing, we are all too often aware of our fragitlity.” — 11 people liked it

“We are all the judges and the judged, victims of the casual malice and fantasy of others, and ready sources of fantasy and malice in our turn. And if we are sometimes accused of sins of which we are innocent, are there not also other sins of which we are guilty and of which the world knows nothing?” — 4 people liked it

More quotes…

title link	preview: Nuns and Soldiers
avg rating	preview: Nuns and Soldiers Goodreads rating: 3.89 (301 ratings)
small image	preview: click here [close]
med image	preview: click here [close]
BBCode	[url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12817.Nuns_and_Soldiers?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book][img]http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1347245276l/12817.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12817.Nuns_and_Soldiers?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book]Nuns and Soldiers by Iris Murdoch[/url]

Nuns and Soldiers

Friend Reviews

Community Reviews

Share This Book

Share This Book on Your Website