pjraff's review against another edition
dark
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
capered_crusader's review
challenging
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
mireiaaaaaa3's review against another edition
3.0
El principi i el final m'han meravellat, però la resta se m'ha fet una mica feixuc i massa detallat. Això sí, continuaré llegint a la Murdoch.
tradepaperback's review against another edition
This book was good - mind was distracted for weeks.
ameliez's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
misha_devi's review
4.0
The realist style of this book made it a slow but enlightening read. It’s the first time I’ve read a book which really captures the small agonies and relationship with reality that comes with an overflowing internal world. In The Bell, reality always feels simultaneously painfully palpable and an intangible fiction.
I found Dora and Nick to be the most interesting characters and wish that more time was spent on them. Though Michael was given a lot of exploration, I would find it hard to describe his character, though some of his reflections were delightfully profound.
Murdoch explores the cruelty and desires of love, the over-importance given to silly things like a bell at the bottom of the lake. This novel exposes how dramatic and agonising every small and normal moment feels as we live our small and normal lives.
I found Dora and Nick to be the most interesting characters and wish that more time was spent on them. Though Michael was given a lot of exploration, I would find it hard to describe his character, though some of his reflections were delightfully profound.
Murdoch explores the cruelty and desires of love, the over-importance given to silly things like a bell at the bottom of the lake. This novel exposes how dramatic and agonising every small and normal moment feels as we live our small and normal lives.
e_z's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
5.0
rainliketheweatherr's review
challenging
funny
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
spikespiegel's review
dark
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0