Like a lot of Iris Murdoch novels we have a cast of characters circulating both a place (this time a rectory) and a figure of some power, presence, or influence over that place: here, the rector Carel. Carel is aging, possibly falling prey to mental illness, which either explains or seeks to excuse his moral and religious failings. Religous failings: he’s becomes increasingly convinced/aware that there is no god. Normally, you might guess that this would make it difficult to be a rector, but he […]