Iris Murdoch — The Good Apprentice

London, Chatto and Windus, 1985. First edition. Cloth. The first edition of this novel by Irish author, Iris Murdoch. 'The Good Apprentice' is Murdoch's 22nd novel in her extensive bibliography. It follows the story of Edward Baltram's path to redemption and his step-brother Stuart's aims for salvation. Edward, a college student, gives his best friend a hallucinogenic drug as a joke. Whilst high, his friend Mark falls to his death from a window and Edward is wracked with guilt and depression. This novel was shortlisted for the Booker prize. Iris Murdoch was a British novelist and philosopher, born in Ireland. Primarily her novels focus on themes of morality, spirituality and sexuality. A prominent philosopher, she is now increasingly accredited for her work in the field of philosophy, most notably her work on the reinterpretation of Aristotle and Plato, as well as her discussions of moral philosophy. In her lifetime Murdoch wrote 26 novels, as well of a series of short stories and several philosophical papers. In the original full cloth binding and held in original unclipped dustwrapper. Externally, excellent with just some minor bumping to the head of spine. Dustwrapper is excellent with a small amount of shelfwear to the head. Prior owner's inscription to the recto of front endpaper, M F Judge. Internally, firmly bound. Pages are slightly age toned due to paper used, with just the odd spot. Near Fine . Ill.: None. Near Fine/Near Fine.