The Bell
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The Bell
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Narrated by:
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Miriam Margolyes
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By:
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Iris Murdoch
About this listen
Brought to you by Penguin.
Vintage Classics Murdoch: Funny, subversive, fearless and fiercely intelligent, Iris Murdoch was one of the great writers of the 20th century. To celebrate her centenary, Vintage Classics presents special editions of her greatest and most timeless novels.
A lay community of thoroughly mixed-up people is encamped outside Imber Abbey, home of an enclosed order of nuns. A new bell, legendary symbol of religion and magic, is rediscovered. Dora Greenfield, erring wife, returns to her husband. Michael Mead, leader of the community, is confronted by Nick Fawley, with whom he had disastrous homosexual relations, while the wise old Abbess watches and prays and exercises discreet authority. And everyone, or almost everyone, hopes to be saved whatever that may mean... Iris Murdoch's funny and sad novel is about religion, the fight between good and evil and the terrible accidents of human frailty.
©1958 Iris Murdoch (P)2011 Penguin AudioListeners also enjoyed...
What listeners say about The Bell
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Betty Hunter
- 19-02-22
A great story
I felt as if I knew and cared about all the characters excellently narrated I loved the story.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Reader
- 25-08-19
recommended
This is not a book I would have read but I thoroughly enjoyed it as a bedtime story. Miriam Margoyles is just wonderful!
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- josicski
- 24-03-23
Beautiful story and beautifully read
The narrator drove and owned this. Brilliantly read with such feeling. The story itself highlights so many injustices and suffering but still manages to give life to human choices. I was quite lost in it.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Natalia
- 19-04-24
Absolute joy to listen
I love this book, the writing, the thoughts process, expressions; I loved everything about this book and performance made it so much better!!! It is read exactly in a way to point out on a certain meanings - fit me definitely ;-))
I will listen again and recommend if you like good literature
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Overall4 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- discerning reader
- 08-08-17
Engrossing intelligent book
Really captivated by this book which is both serious and hilarious about the human condition. Miriam Margoles takes on the voices of men and women with ease and made it very easy to conjure up each person. Loved the character of Dora, an anti-heroine who so easily loses the plot she can go to a station to reclaim a lost suitcase and leave it in the pub on the way home. Very funny and tense as the members of an alternative community stumble into each other with unanticipated results. Very sad and fiercely drawn portrait of the homosexual leader tortured by his religious beliefs of sin.A book both humorous and compassionate and wise. Unputdownable.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Anonymous User
- 27-03-22
The Bell
A wonderful story - brilliantly narrated.
Thank you Miriam Margolyes. Having read the book years ago , it was even better listening.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- seabreeze
- 16-06-22
Love this book
Well written all the way to the end, every chapter has a memorable moment, so easy to flip back over the chapters.
The narrator Miriam Margolyes, inspired me to finish this book, thank you.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story4 out of 5 stars
- Georgina
- 29-04-20
Fabulous rendition of an thought provoking book
This was my introduction to Iris Murdoch and I thoroughly enjoyed the whole. Miriam Margolyes’ excellent narration brought to life a, by turns, comic and tragic cast of characters. Dickensian humour and pathos, and Trollope’s ability to capture the atmosphere, or tension of a given moment. She didn’t give in to the temptation to capitalise on somewhat gothic setting. Although I half wanted her to! The drama comes from psychology versus ideas and the mystery of the individual.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Peter Maggs
- 18-11-21
Revelation
I have lost count of the number of novels I have started and discarded after a dozen pages or so because I just lost interest. Mention of The Bell on the radio reminded me that I read it (and finished it) around fifty years ago; I decided to give novels another go.
Within a very short while I was completely hooked; both by the page-turner of a story, and by Miriam Margolyes’ wonderful narration. There was a wobble, when I struggled with the concept of an ‘Anglican’ order of Benedictine nuns. But as the plot unfolded, I was drawn in and wanted to know what happened next; I could hardly put the book down.
The Bell was published in 1958, when homosexuality was illegal—and no doubt regarded by many as immoral—but Murdoch treats the subject with such sensitivity, delicacy, and understanding, it reads almost like a contemporary narrative.
For anyone who finds novels difficult, this book may effect a cure.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Shelley
- 11-05-22
Great story and brilliantly read
Miriam Margolyes reads this book brilliantly. Each character in such a different voice. Good story too.
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