Big Books of 2026
The Sea, the Sea

Questions About The Sea, the Sea

by Iris Murdoch

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Answered Questions (5)

One of my reading goals for this year is to read an Iris Murdoch. The Sea, The Sea seems to be her most lauded, but for Murdoch fans: is this your favorite, or the best place to start for a newby?
Matthew The Sea, The Sea is the fifth Murdoch book I've read, the others being Under the Net, Bruno's Dream, A Message to the Planet, and The Black Prince. Ou…moreThe Sea, The Sea is the fifth Murdoch book I've read, the others being Under the Net, Bruno's Dream, A Message to the Planet, and The Black Prince. Out of all of those, I feel like Under the Net is the best place to start. At least for me, it was a little more accessible than The Sea, The Sea-- but I also think you can't go wrong with either, because The Sea, The Sea was great too!(less)
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Slovenly Muse
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Is anyone able to tell me where on the English coast is the setting of The Sea, The Sea?
Alistair The book doesn't make it clear. However, the property that Charles Arrowby buys has a Martello Tower in the grounds. These were defensive towers built…moreThe book doesn't make it clear. However, the property that Charles Arrowby buys has a Martello Tower in the grounds. These were defensive towers built during the Napoleonic Wars against French invasion. In England, they are found on the coast closest to France - between Sussex and Suffolk.

Another clue is that Charles gets visited by his London friends seemingly at the drop of a hat. So the location must be easy drive or train ride from London. (less)
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How old is the protagonist?
Yoana Since he refers to his love with Hartley as having been roughly 40 years ago, and they were teens/young adults then, I'd say he is in his late 50s or …moreSince he refers to his love with Hartley as having been roughly 40 years ago, and they were teens/young adults then, I'd say he is in his late 50s or early 60s.(less)
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I'm half way through, not sure about it. Seems to ramble a lot, the first hundred pages could have been cut to 20. Can't say i like the main character...bit of a "lovey", do i really care about his love life? Not so far!
Sita It twists and turns turns suddenly and you realise that the narrator is a unreliable-
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Unanswered Questions (1)

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