The Sea, the Sea Audiobook By Iris Murdoch, Mary Kinzie - introduction cover art

The Sea, the Sea

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The Sea, the Sea

By: Iris Murdoch, Mary Kinzie - introduction
Narrated by: Simon Vance, Kimberly Farr
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Winner of the Man Booker Prize for Fiction

Charles Arrowby, leading light of England's theatrical set, retires from glittering London to an isolated home by the sea. He plans to write a memoir about his great love affair with Clement Makin, his mentor, both professionally and personally, and amuse himself with Lizzie, an actress he has strung along for many years. None of his plans work out, and his memoir evolves into a riveting chronicle of the strange events and unexpected visitors—some real, some spectral—that disrupt his world and shake his oversized ego to its very core.

©1978 Iris Murdoch (P)2017 Penguin Audio Classics Fiction Genre Fiction Literary Fiction Sea Adventures Adventure Witty Funny Thought-Provoking England
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Critic reviews

"Profound and delicious for many reasons . . . a multilayered working out of her feelings about the intensity of romantic experience. . . [it] also happens to be intelligently and sympathetically concerned with four of my favorite things: swimming, eating, drinking and talking . . . it is an ideal beach book—especially if you enjoy the cooler and pebblier and spookier northern sort of beach."—Dwight Garner, The New York Times

"A joy to read: a rollicking story that seems endlessly to be building towards some awful, hilarious, frightening conclusion."—Harper’s Bazaar

"Sublime [and] profound . . . She takes great care to imbue the house, the sea, the surroundings—everything—with depth and significance . . . exhilarating."—Sam Jordison, The Guardian, "Booker club"

Featured Article: It Was the Best of Scribes—The Best British Authors


With its esteemed history and bold contemporary scene, Britain lays claim to some of the most exciting literature in audio. With the hundreds of incredible British writers throughout the centuries, a person could devote their whole literary life solely to British authors and still never run out of amazing things to listen to. Whether you're an avid Anglophile or just want to discover the best English novelists for yourself, here’s a list of the best for you to choose from!

Featured Article It Was the Best of Scribes The Best British Authors
Brilliant Writing • Complex Characters • Exquisite Reading • Twisty Plot • Philosophical Depth • Immersive Storytelling

Highly rated for:

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Skip the prologue. It’s a load of
unnecessary gibberish. The story
moves well overall but there are periods where it mires. There are
few narrators that could work this
as well.

Brilliant Narration

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The story is definitely not the first time Murdoch has written about people looking back at their lives in old ages (such as Bruno’s dream) but it’s peculiar. I deducted one star because reading about someone else’s obsessions can get absolutely depressing and tiring. The narration is spot on!

Old Actor trying to salvage old loves…

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A great and profound novel. And frequently hilarious. Simon Vance is brilliant , helping immeasurably to bring the whole thing to life.

Entrancing

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Lost in Iris Murdoch's story and language from the beginning. So much here that after I pull up the boat, make camp, and get a good night's sleep, I will do it again.

Again!

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I refused to give up on this novel because I wanted to finish it, thinking it’s going to pick up. It never did. The middle 2/3 could be cut. Plot doesn’t move along. I wouldn’t have minded so much if the interior thoughts of the protagonist actually carried some philosophical insight or were even entertaining but the character is just self absorbed and full of nonsensical ponderings. However, at least now I am very familiar with British food!

Way too long

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The story is magnificently told. The characters are so much fun. The plot is twisty and clever. This a story made for audio. Love. It.

It’s the Narrator

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What a surprising, absurd, and delightful treasure. This book was candy for my brain. Skip the horrifying long intro and get right to novel. Delicious.

Brilliant!

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I've, more often than not, been a content person. I care what is actually being said. Yet for the texture created in this story Vance does a heroic effort. Playing characters - even the timing of dialogue sounds exceptional, like you were at the movies. Both writer and performer really impressed me.

Simon Vance performance excellent

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Initial slow going on its setup with meticulous descriptions of scene and daily routine. Hang in there. The first person narrator slowly and inadvertently eveals himself as a vain, self-deluding, self-serving bastard who shamelessly uses friends and lovers for his own psychological needs. This novel has rich spiritual musings, and tells a complex and moving story. And, actually, quite a lot of sardonically funny scenes. Excellent narration.

Complex psychology of a narcicist

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I have read over 600 books and this is one of my favorites! I have listened to the audible version twice and Simon Vance's performance is perfectly amazing and Iris Murdoch delivers her finest work!

One of My Favorite Books

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