Word Child

By: Iris Murdoch

Narrated by: Simon Prebble

A brilliant but deeply flawed man struggles to earn absolution

Hilary Burde was a rising star in academia until a tragic accident plunged him and his mentor and rival, Gunnar Jopling, into two decades of depression and guilt. Hilary, unable to overcome his pain, abandoned his promising career for an unfulfilling job as a civil servant. But at age 41, Hilary crosses paths again with Gunnar - initiating a series of events that will change their lives forever.

Set against a richly drawn backdrop of post-war London, A Word Child is a gripping story of passion and the redemptive power of love.

©1975 Iris Murdoch (P)2012 Audible, Inc.

superb

Worthy of a second listen. The haunted Hillary is a gripping character- you want to smack him silly and grab a coffee with him, too. Murdoch at her best!

Iris Murdock could really write

Word Child, along with The Sea, the Sea, and The Philosopher’s Pupil, are wonderful stories of the psychological tangles people get themselves into.
Highly recommended.

Couldn't wait to listen again

Wonderful narrator. He changed his voices so well that it sounded as if there were several readers. The story had so many surprises. I can see why the author received awards.

Iris Murdoch is Iris Murdoch

Narrator hit it out the park with his performances. Look..this is Iris Murdoch..if you’ve read some of her books then you already know what’s going to happen in this story. So yeah when the “I love you, I love you, I love you” cycles begin it’s almost laughable because you knew it was coming and no it’s not believable just like they weren’t believable in her other books. But just like her other books..in spite of all the contrived things she does…well dammit..you know what I’m about to say..the damn book works. It is satisfying. It finally imbues real gravitas as it approaches the ending. I’m going to listen again and I’ve already bought the hardcopy.

A vortex

Murdochs story takes guilt to the highest level of psychological and moral consideration. The reading by Prebble captures the voices beautifully, and this is a novel of voices, told mainly through dialogue.