Under the Net – Iris Murdoch

Her first novel, originally published in Great Britain in 1954. A book both comic and serious, Under the Net documents Jake Donaghue's somewhat aimless progress following his expulsion from his current place of residence. At the beginning of the novel, Jake finds himself in limbo. He doesn't appear to be very involved in the world around him. His actions seem aimless, but soon take direction as he searches for a new place to live, seeks old friends and follows-up on a number of coincidences. Additionally, Jake is jobless and considers a number of possibilities to acquire income, most of which come about as he rekindles relations with his former acquaintances and lovers.

The writing and dialogue are impeccable, and the stories read easily. The descriptions of her characters, in particular, shine, as in this exchange between Jake and Sammy:

      "What do you think you're doing?" he asked.
      I wasn't quite ready for this, and felt let down. "Don't you want to fight?" I replied, with irritation.
      Sammy stared at me, and then broke into a roar of laughter. "My, my!" he said. "Whatever gave you that idea. You're Donaghue, aren't you? Here, have a lotion." And quick as a flash he put a glass of whiskey into my free hand. You can imagine what a fool I felt, with the whiskey in one hand and my belt in the other.
      When I had reorganized myself, I said, hoping that I didn't sound sheepish, "I suppose you're Starfield?" I felt thoroughly at a loss. I suspected that it ought to be up to me whether we fought or not. I certainly didn't want to fight but I had let Sammy get the initiative now, and no mistake, and I hated that too.
      "That's me" said Sammy, "and you're young Donaghue. Well, what a fire-eater!" and he went off into another explosion of laughter. I took a gulp of whiskey and put on my belt, endeavoring to wear the expression of one who, contrary to appearances, is master of the situation.

It's exceptional because the image of Sammy, his manner and character, is quite clear. I like him and I like the way he talks. I can imagine what this older gambler who stole Jake's girlfriend from him looks like. I also get a nice sense of Jake. His thoughts as he drinks the whiskey and puts his belt capture his approach to the world around him, show that he is trying to make a good show and that he knows what is going even if he doesn't.

It's difficult to say exactly what I like so much about Iris Murdoch novels, but this is the third book of hers that I've read and I gobble them up. I never feel overwhelmed with philosophy or pretense and simply slip into the worlds she has created. Finally, her novels are always surprising, but I'll leave the surprises for your own discovery.

The Bhagavad-Gita – Translated by Barbara Stoler Miller

A fantastic, philosophical story which allows us to consider the spiritual discipline of man as he faces contradiction in his life. The ancient Hindu religious text, The Bhagavad-Gita, written in the first century A.D., continues to speak to the modern world. Subtitled Krishna's Counsel in Time of War, this long poem follows a conversation between Arjuna, a mighty warrior, and Krishna, his charioteer and protectorate, a god. Arjuna, when facing the opposing warriors, sees his relations, his family and friends, among the enemy and begins to question his actions:

"Krishna, I see my kinsmen
gathered here, wanting war.

My limbs sink,
my mouth is parched,
my body trembles,
the hair bristles on my flesh.

The magic bow slips
from my hand, my skin burns,
I cannot stand still,
my mind reels.

I see omens of chaos,
Krishna; I see no good
in killing my kinsmen
in battle.

Is it important why a great warrior would suddenly consider his situation in the face of it, Arjuna who wields the emblem of a rampant monkey, blows into a divine conch, rides his chariot out to the middle of the battlefield, and brandishes magical weapons? Facing his familiars, he questions his intention to make war against his family. Perhaps the battle had never before come so close. Krishna answers in god-like fashion:

You grieve for those beyond grief,
and you speak words of insight;
but learned men do not grieve
for the dead or the living.

Krishna suggests that it is useless to worry about what has happened (the dead) and also what will happen (the living). There are more important things to do than grieve over possibility. Krishna then begins to explain, perhaps, his most important message:

Never have I not existed,
nor you, nor these kings;
and never in the future
shall we cease to exist.

His message takes a more cerebral, metaphysical turn and suggests that Arjuna is simply a part of all things. Even if he should die or, as his profession warrants, cause another's death, his presence and the presence of others will continue.

I particularly liked this text for its familial context which, mentioned at the beginning, provides a strong backdrop for the rest of the tale. It not only relates the message on a personal level, but helps us to consider the greater community of the world and its inhabitants as a larger family. I could say much more about this book, but I will leave the rest to your own exploration.

Maelström (2001)

Fantastic French film by Denis Villeneuve, who also wrote the screenplay, about a young woman, Bibi, who is having one of the worst days of her life. While dealing with some of the maladies in her life, she encounters a number of coincidences, good and bad, which force her to reconsider her situation, ultimately, for the better.

The movie begins with a talking, blood-smeared fish on the chopping-block telling the story as a way to use his last breaths, which casts an eerie light on what follows. Fantastic in its observations of movement of the human form, but also in its clever unveiling of the plot, the movie is surprising and fast-paced. I love colorful films and this one has lots of great use of color and light. Another movie with excellent music, which made the movie more powerful and increased the irony of many scenes.

Raise the Red Lantern (1991)

My continuing education in Chinese film brought me to this masterpiece, directed by Zhang Yimou (Hero-2004, House of Flying Daggers-2004). Taking place in China in the 1920s, it is the story of a wealthy man and his wives, each living in separate houses within the master's estate.

The movie begins as a young girl journeys to a rich man's estate to become his fourth wife. She quickly learns about the daily competition among the wives for the master's attention as her wedding night is interrupted by one of her predecessors. As the master announces with whom he will spend each evening, following an old family tradition by lighting a number of red lanterns outside the chosen wife's house, the wives play malicious tricks on one another, some of which have tragic results, to gain his favor.

The master of the estate is never really seen in the movie, which foreshadows unmentionable troubles and highlights the general lack of attention he has for all of his wives. Great sound and music in this movie, which helps build and sustain tension while also adding to the mysterious seduction of the film. Beautiful to watch, the movie showcases Zhang's love of color, portrayed in the sultry shades and interior decorations of the houses of his four wives, and contrasted with the dark and dull exteriors. Don't expect a happy ending.