A Word Child (Masterplots II: British and Commonwealth Fiction Series)
At a glance:
- Author: Iris Murdoch
- First Published: 1975
- Type of Work: Psychological romance
- Time of Work: The early 1970’s
- Setting: London, England
- Principal Characters: Hilary Burde, Crystal Burde, Gunnar Jopling, Lady Kitty Jopling, Arthur Fisch, Tommy
- Genres: Long fiction, Psychological fiction
- Subjects: 1970’s, Self-discovery, Love or romance, Religion, Guilt, God, Death or dying, London, Office employees
- Locales: London, England
The Novel
Hilary Burde has buried himself in a modest civil service job in expiation for having caused a terrible tragedy some twenty years earlier, which he has kept secret ever since. He lives a life of constant bitterness and recrimination, barely relieved by the love of his sister Crystal and the attention of a few friends who are prepared to put up with his constant, vituperative pessimism. Surprisingly, although not a handsome man, he is capable of eliciting deep affection, sometimes love, from others, while refusing to give much of anything back but constant abuse.
...[The entire page is 1848 words long]
Join eNotes
Over 3,500 study guides, question and answer forums, literature criticism, reference content, and much more!
Navigate
See Also
