Z: Jackson's Dilemma (1995)

Conradi calls this 'her confused final novel'

[Iris Murdoch was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease in 1997] [signs?]

13 chapters, ?133 subsections

characters 487,073

words 88,823

[wikipedia] [goodreads] [editions/covers] [info]

reviews w/spoilers: [dexter]

[Z16]

 

Edward Lannion, 28yo aspiring writer, handsome, taciturn, drives Jaguar, only met girls in late autumn, got to know them in spring
Randall Lannion, his merry brother who drowned c15yo
Gerald Lannion, their deceased father, architect
Hatting Hall, his house on the river Lip
Montague and Millie, butler and maid
William Benet Barnell, 40-something civil servant, ward of girls
Penndean, Barnells' house
Clun, the gardener
Sylvia, his daughter
Timaeus 'Tim' Barnell, Benet's uncle
Patroclus 'Pat' Barnell, Benet's deceased father
Eleanor Morton, Benet's deceased mother
Rosalind Berran, 22yo
Marian Berran, Edward's fiancee, 19yo?
Ada Fox, girls' mother
Oliver Caxton, rector
Mildred Smalden, holy lady
Owen Silbery, an eccentric painter
Thomas 'Tuan' Abelson, 30yo
Jackson

Cantor Bjerke

Lucas Begbrook, a priest

Priscilla Conti

Spencer, a horse

Rex, a pony

Anna

Bran

ONE
Z11: Edward Lannion was sitting

June
Z12: Suddenly something terrible
Z13: ? On the afternoon of the same day
Z14: Benet was alone
Z15: Leaving at last the silence
Z16: After that, and when

IM had abandoned her similar book on Heidegger in 1993

Shiva [above]
Z17: Benet was now checking
Z18: A small dark car appeared
Z19: When all were assembled
Z1A: 'Are you thinking of opening
Z1B: Sylvia had gone home
Z1C: They all crowded out
Z1D: After that there was a lot
Z1E: Benet sat down abruptly
Z1F: Inside the drawing room
Z1G: The sun, which had scarcely
Z1H: The wedding had been arranged
Z1I: As they set off
Z1J: The church, which was dedicated
Z1K: They parked the car
Z1L: In fact the problem
Z1M: Rosalind had remained alone
Z1N: 'I hope that's the lot
Z1O: Back at Penndean there was no enthusiasm
Z1P: Soon after her return
Z1Q: There was a sound
Z1R: Benet drove his car
Z1S: ? 'Where’s Rosalind?
Z1T: ? In attempting to make some sense
Z1U: There was a great deal of traffic

TWO
Z21: Owen Silbery was sitting alone
Z22: Benet was standing upon the doorstep
Z23: In Owen's studio Mildred
Z24: Benet had taken a taxi
Z25: As he was walking towards Victoria Station
Z26: At dinner of course
Z27: It was almost midnight
Z28: They left at last
Z29: On the next day Benet
Z2A: ? Heidegger’s central concept


THREE - The Past
Z31: The legend was that Benet
Z32: On the next morning, Benet
Z33: The newcomer, having gone
Z34: Back at Penndean he did not
Z35: Down at Penn, time passed
Z36: He was in Venice
Z37: Once inside he walked
Z38: However, time passed
Z39: It was true. Uncle Tim
Z3A: And so it was, and Uncle Tim
Z3B: Very many people

FOUR
Z41: Marian and Rosalind Berran
Z42: 'In trying to glimpse Heidegger's
Z43: Anna Dunarven was glad
Z44: Edward, so much sought for
Z45: Edward and Randall had been
Z46: It was some time after that
Z47 Edward now, sitting

FIVE
Z51: Marian, whom everyone was worrying about
Z52: The condition into which
Z53: The time between Marian's return
Z54: Everything, including boots
Z55: Then somehow they were
Z56: Benet could scarcely sleep

SIX
Z61: It did not take Jackson
Z62: ? Dear Madam,
Z63: Silence. Then a woman's voice
Z64: Tuan, although a pet
Z65: After this time, which was before
Z66: Tuan was at work as usual
Z67: Tuan, pulling the door wider
Z68: 'I thought I might find you here
Z69: Jackson, who had had difficulty
Z6A: Jackson had given the driver
Z6B: Tuan had not imagined
Z6C: They ran about the flat
Z6D: Benet, having ascertained
Z6E: Millie opened the door
Z6F: It was nearly midday and Tuan
Z6G: When Jackson had reached Tara
Z6H: 'Do stop crying,' he said
Z6I: On the same day of Benet's visit
Z6J: When Jackson had handed Marian
Z6K: ? He led her, holding her hand
Z6L: Jackson, at a little distance
Z6M: Benet left Penndean early
Z6N: Jackson woke up. He had a headache
Z6O: Jackson sat up and looked about
Z6P: ? Dear Jackson
Z6Q: Jackson tidied up the kitchen

SEVEN
Z71: Tuan, who would normally
Z72: He woke up. Owen was looking
Z73: Jackson woke up. He was lying
Z74: It was the previous evening
Z75: He opened the door for her
Z76: Rosalind was gone
Z77: ? After Owen and Jackson had had breakfast
Z78: Benet, suddenly hearing
Z79: Of course Rosalind was profoundly relieved
Z7A: ? 'Well, thank God all that's over
Z7B: 'But what exactly did you say

EIGHT
Z81: Edward put something into his pocket
Z82: Bran had run away
Z83: Tuan was alone. It was evening

NINE
Z91: Dearest Benet, do forgive me!
Z92: ? Benet, now in the drawing room
Z93: The telephone rang. Benet cursed
Z94: 'But how wonderful!' said Benet
Z95: When the Jaguar had stopped
Z96: Mildred was now beginning a little
Z97: Coming back in the afternoon
Z98: She left the room and instinctively
Z99: Benet put down his pen
Z9A: At that moment the front door bell rang
Z9B: Benet did a lot of walking
Z9C: Benet had considered retur
Z9D: Later Benet, looking back, wondered

TEN
ZA1: 'So now all the weddings
ZA2: 'I adore your mother,' Cantor said
ZA3: 'We shall be too early
ZA4: Later as they drove on
ZA5: At Edward and Anna's swift little

ELEVEN
ZB1: Benet's guests at Penndean

TWELVE
ZC1: Rosalind and Tuan were locked together
ZC2: It was indeed late when Edward and Anna
ZC3: Meanwhile, at the Sea Kings
ZC4: Mildred padded away
ZC5: Owen staggered out

THIRTEEN
ZD1: Usually now Jackson did not allow
ZD2: Benet waited for two weeks
ZD3: Now all was silent in Penndean
ZD4: The dawn was now perceptibly

Y: The Green Knight (1993)

"...was there not some Middle English poem about a Green Knight? He now thought he recalled reading a translation of it when he was at Cambridge. What was the story? Arthur’s knights are at the Round Table when a huge entirely green knight appears and challenges one of them to cut off his head, after promising to visit the knight for a return match in his own realm on the same day next year. Gawain takes up the challenge and cuts off the knight’s head. The knight picks up his head and holds it up in his hand and reminds Gawain of his promise. Next year Gawain sets out gloomily to meet his adversary, but loses his way and is entertained at a castle by a Lady whose husband is out hunting. The Lady tempts Gawain but he resists her charms. At last he gives in as far as to accept the significant gift of her green girdle. He leaves the castle and finds the meeting-place, the Green Knight appears with his axe. Gawain, expecting instant death, kneels down, the axe descends – but makes only a small superficial wound upon his extended neck. The knight, who is of course the Lady’s husband, congratulates Gawain on his courage, but chides him for his moral failure in accepting the girdle, for which he has mercifully received only a mild punishment. Gawain declares he will wear the girdle forever after as a token of his sin, in giving way to temptation and staining his perfect chastity."

five named chapters, ?161 subsections

characters 1,054,541
words 193,679

 [wikipedia][goodreads][editions/covers]

reviews w/spoilers: [Glendinning] [Dexter] [NYT]

for Ed Victor

 

 

Anax, based on Conradi's Cloudy

 

Polish Rider

Joan Blacket, bad girl, middle-aged widow, lives in Paris 3 yrs, haggard beauty, tall redhead, abandoned by husband 13yrs before after 6yrs

Louise Anderson, good girl, middle-aged widow, brunette

Edward ‘Teddy’ Anderson, Louise's late husband
Anax, a gray collie given up by Bellamy
Bellamy James, aka 'the chaplain'

Alethea 'Aleph' Anderson, beautiful

Sophia 'Sefton' Anderson, short jagged red-brown hair and green-brown hazel eyes
Moira 'Moy' Anderson
Harvey Blacket, 18yo son of Joan
Clement 'Harlequin' Graffe, brother of Lucas, eternally youthful

Lucas Graffe, killed a man a few months back

Tessa Millen

Clive and Emil

Peter Mir

Rosemary Adwarden

 

Chapter 1 - Ideal Children [October, Kensington Gardens]
Y11: 'Once upon a time

"une vie de bâton de chaise" = a life of debauchery and pleasure, chaotic and without order.
Y12: '"I feel your arms
'Well then, I dare you
The human fish experience
Bellamy was saying
'You start, Moy
A little later
My dear son
My dear Father Damien
[Browning] [Galatians]

? Bellamy put down
'Now I see why
An hour later Clement
Harvey was sitting
Harvey had left the 'refuge'
'"And the many many times
The trouble with Clement

Chapter 2 - Justice
Bellamy's hand had
'It looked terrible
Harvey was reclining
Harvey had gone
? Clement had scarcely
He rang the bell
It is necessary
When he woke
'Why was it meant
My dear son
My dear Father Damien
Bellamy put down
'Perhaps he won't
Lucas was sitting on
In the evening

[Glastonbury Romance]
Moy, upstairs
Below in Aleph's
My dear son
My dear Father Damien
Bellamy usually
'You lost us
Clement had let
Peter Mir had departed
Harvey was sitting
Harvey summoned
'I have something
The kitchen was
Back in her bedroom
Upstairs in her room
Sefton, lying
Clement was pacing
Bellamy was reading
? Bellamy was pleased
? My dear son
? Bellamy was deeply
'Well, he's late
'Wait, please
The Saturday after
'Why, Moy, whatever
On the previous evening
? Why didn't you come
Anax had
Meanwhile Clement and Moy
'So you all play
'How interesting about
Passing Clement
Moy was sitting
'Whatever possessed you
The sound of dancing
'Everything deep
'It's still terribly
Clement, realising
My dear son
My dear Father
My dear son
'So he wouldn't
Y2: Breakfast at Clifton

Latin: virtuti paret robur = strength obeys virtue
Y2: 'Hello Harvey
'So he's kicking
Clement, not at home
Harvey's taxi
He parted from
'Come,' said Lucas
After the sound
Harvey had found
'Well, you're the only
Moy, well aware
Sefton, lying
? 'What did you dream
My dear Father
My dear Bellamy
? When he received
So it's fixed
When Bellamy had gone
It was Thursday
Once outside
'We are too early
Bellamy was sitting
'Are you hurt
'And turn right here
Bellamy, never allowed
Clement was not cross
? Clement drove the Rolls
The morning came
Clement woke


Chapter 3 - Mercy
Bellamy was standing
Not many minutes later
Bellamy had, at Clifton
'Well, what
Y3: 'Look at this

ama et fac quod vis = love and do what you will [Augustine misquote]
? Clement read
Harvey was sitting
Y#: The next hour

rollmops 

übersichtliche Darstellung  = surveyable representation [Wittgenstein]

Y3: It was fifteen
'Pull him up
When Clement returned
'Maman, please
? Harvey relied on
Yes, 'everyone'
Y3: Peter's house

experto crede = Trust in one experienced
Y3: 'Come on in


Chapter 4 - Eros
Bellamy was standing
Clement mounted
'You're sure
'So you agree
Two more days
? Moy spent the two hours
'You've just
Y4: Sefton lay

Sophocles: 'Never to have been born is best.
Everyone knows that, and a close second,
once you have appeared in this life, is a quick
return, as soon as you can, to where you came from'
Y4: Moy came in
Soon after Moy
'What did you
'I do hope
Sefton, at home
? Louise, coming
'Where's Cora
On the next day
? My dear Mrs Anderson
? Clement said to the girls
? Dearest dearest Louie
? Sefton closed her eyes
Harvey and Sefton
'Moy, I've brought
? Louise longed
Clement had visited
Now Sefton
On the next morning
'So you've got used
Later, dressed
Walking back
Dearest Louie
Dearest Aleph
'Well,' said Louise
'What's all this
Meanwhile at Clifton
'But how did you

Chapter 5 - They Reach the Sea
Bellamy had intended
It was the morning
At this very moment
? Moy had secretly
Bellamy was sitting
You are deeply stained
As Bellamy put down
Moy picked up
When Bellamy

X: The Message to the Planet (1989)

 seven parts, ?132 subsections

CHARACTERS
1,355,043

WORDS
242,812

 [wikipedia] [goodreads] [editions/covers] [info]

reviews-with-spoilers [dexter]

 To Audhild and Borys Villers

Audi later became the 2nd Mrs Bayley

 👦 Alfred Ludens
 💄 Alison Merrick
 👳 Dr. Marzillian
 👩 Franca Sheerwater
    Gildas Herne

👧 Irina Vallar

🎨Jack Sheerwater
    Maisie Tether

🧙 Marcus Vallar
 😷 Patrick Fenman

🗿 Axle Stone

 

 PART ONE 'Of course we have
'Of course he may be dead
Franca had seen the pale white moon
'In faith I know not why
Gildas had gone home
At this moment Irina
Franca and Ludens stood at the foot
? Franca, sitting on the bed
? The sun was shining into the kitchen
? 'Do you mind if I open
? Jack and Ludens had walked down the road

Part Two Free bicycles
? The drive turned away into trees
Ludens was alone
'The central structure
Breakfast did occur
'Franca, Franca
Lunch consisted of curried
'Tadpoles
Ludens followed Marcus
Ludens was following Irina
When Ludens got back
The sun was already high

Part Three Irina's hand
Ludens had brought up
At an earlier time
? Franca became aware
'Henceforth I shall be
? Marcus, thus present
'How I wish
On the following evening
? The vicious force
Irina was sitting
After a moment
'I think I've found a place
Marcus said, 'Come in
'Lift your end
? They departed
Upstairs in the studio
That morning Franca
'I want to show you
The words 'I love you

Part Four 'You said
? As time passed
Ludens had removed
'Mr Luddens
'Excuse me, there's
'Why did you disappear
Irina had not been
'Now Dr Ludens
Ludens had left Marzillian
Irina came out
'Oh, _Franca!_'
'What's the cottage like
Ludens had indeed
Marcus slept
He woke to find
The Axle Stone
'So you've let
'My folks were
Ludens had been delayed
Franca was listening
'You hold the torch

Part Five It all began
It was soon after
? Then something happened
'Marcus, I want to say
Ludens was crawling
At Benbow, when Ludens
'I wasn't accosting
Earlier, when his morning
On the following morning
After lunch Marcus disappeared
The next morning, when
'What's the matter, Irina
'You don't think we
? My dearest one
? Franca, after shedding
'Why did you let her in
'Is that all
? Healer Discovered
? The article was accompanied
The sun was shining through
'Now listen to me, Marcus
? Half an hour later
'How did you find out
? Franca had been
The atmosphere of the
In the next days
'Hello, donkey
The change which Ludens
Ludens, deep in slumber
The time between then
One thing which amazed
When Marcus had retired
'Why are you still here
'Perhaps I shouldn't
My dear, my very dear
Franca, sitting
A taxi had taken
When he reached Benbow
'He told you he had
'You're sure you don't
The little spare bedroom
Later on he awoke
In the days that followed
? I am sorry
? This letter exasperated
The 'evening talk'
The next day was chaotic
'But whatever
He awoke in the early light
Ludens, still damp
? To his surprise
? He went to his
Irina stayed in bed

Part Six Dear Dr
'I hope you don't
Ludens opened
I write to say
The letter to Ludens
Ludens arrived
'So the great incarnation
The 'bar' mentioned
What Franca read
? Ludens, watching Franca
Ludens was on the telephone
During the interim
She thrust her key

Free Bicycles.

Part Seven 'So you're
'Discretion is one