DownloadThe Portobello Bookshop Gift Guide 2024

The Black Prince (Vintage Classics Murdoch Series)

A tale of ambition, love, and unexpected visitors

Iris Murdoch author Sophie Hannah editor

Format:Paperback

Publisher:Vintage Publishing

Published:4th Jul '19

Currently unavailable, our supplier has not provided us a restock date

The Black Prince (Vintage Classics Murdoch Series) cover

In The Black Prince (Vintage Classics Murdoch Series), Bradley Pearson's retirement plans are derailed by a series of unexpected visitors, leading to humorous and poignant revelations.

In The Black Prince (Vintage Classics Murdoch Series), Bradley Pearson, a retired tax collector, yearns to write a literary masterpiece. However, his aspirations are continually interrupted by the ringing of the doorbell and the phone. Each call brings a new complication: an ex-wife seeking closure, a friend in need of support, a sister facing turmoil, and a young woman eager to learn from him. As Bradley navigates these distractions, he finds himself entangled in a web of personal crises that lead to unforeseen consequences.

The novel explores themes of love, ambition, and the complexities of human relationships. Bradley's journey is marked by a series of encounters that challenge his understanding of himself and those around him. As he grapples with his desires and the reality of his life, readers are drawn into a narrative that is as humorous as it is poignant. Iris Murdoch's sharp wit and keen insight into the human condition shine through, making this story resonate on multiple levels.

Awarded the James Tait Black Memorial Prize in 1973, The Black Prince (Vintage Classics Murdoch Series) is a testament to Murdoch's literary prowess. With an introduction by Sophie Hannah, this edition celebrates the enduring legacy of one of the twentieth century's great writers. Vintage Classics' special editions aim to honor Murdoch's timeless works, ensuring that her stories continue to captivate new generations of readers.

The book is so great, I almost feel it has magic powers. It’s tragic, comic, mysterious, thought-provoking and so much more than the sum of its parts. It manages to be both a great detective story and a great love story at the same time. It’s the only book I’ve ever read that feels as if it encapsulates all of life and the human experience. -- Sophie Hannah * New York Times *
A source of wonder and delight...No summary can do justice to the rich intricacy of character and incident with which Miss Murdoch crowds every page * Spectator *
More than almost any other writer, she understands the currents beneath the surface: the way that inappropriate crushes, egotism, loathing, loneliness, can overcome apparently calm lives and leave disaster, even death, behind. -- Charlotte Mendelson * Guardian *
This is great Murdoch. It rings as clear as The Bell...her humour is all the more achingly funny because she keeps it on the edge of our vision * Daily Mail *
Iris Murdoch's marvellous, heroic novel...A gloriously rich tale * The Times *

ISBN: 9781784875183

Dimensions: 179mm x 129mm x 31mm

Weight: 354g

496 pages