Description

This is the story of the comic, relentless struggle for survival of Austin Gibson Grey, the accidental man. Austin is one of those people who thrives through the destruction of others. The others, in Austin’s case, include his successful elder brother, Matthew, and the women who, one after the other, are convinced that they can ‘save’ him. In this role we meet Dorina, Austin’s estranged wife, Mitzi, his alcoholic landlady, and a selection of other women who involve themselves in Austin’s fate, with hilarious and appalling results.

Publisher Review

Iris Murdoch is incapable of writing without fascinating and beautiful colour * The Times * Iris Murdoch was one of the best and most influential writers of the twentieth century -- Peter Conradi * Guardian * A distinguished novelist of a rare kind -- Kingsley Amis Behind her books one feels a power of intellect quite exceptional in a novelist * Sunday Times * Iris Murdoch really knows how to write, can tell a story, delineate a character, catch an atmosphere with deadly accuracy -- John Betjemen