Jackson is not the only one with a dilemma. Since I put it down I've been mulling over how I feel and what I want to say about this book. Like the other four or five Iris Murdoch books that I've read, this story has haunted me a bit, perplexed me alot, and made me think about alot of different things.After reading an Iris Murdoch novel, I generally wake up in the morning thinking about some aspect of the book. The image I can't escape from is that of an intricate line of dominoes---when the first one topples the remaining pieces gracefully (and quickly) start cascading down the line. In Jackson's Dilemma a broken engagement starts the domino effect and the reader is pulled into the maelstrom of activity that follows.This story was not as compelling as other Murdoch tales, but I understand this is her final novel and her writing reflects some limitations in her health and ability. Even though I didn't enjoy this book as much as the others I've read, I still am fascinated by the universe she represents in her books. I am more challenged by her writing than that of any other contemporary writer. This story didn't have the strident, omnipresent, essence of evil that is central to some of her other books. The contrast of good and evil is masterfully presented in some of her writing. But what IS here, either behind the scenes, or hidden behind a curtain, is the Deux ex Machina that propels the dominoes into action. There is always a force present in Murdochs books. Whether the reader understands it, or accepts it, is not the issue. Something powerful is present--and it influences the behaviour of the characters. For better or worse. But always, fascinating and thought provoking.
While reading this, I could not help but think of Ian McEwan and my (probably irrational) hatred of his novels. Murdoch's characters in this book, as in the others I have read (notably, The Sea The Sea), are largely unsympathetic, taking themselves very seriously, obsessed with trivial events, and reveling in a level of drama not at all called for by their situations. Despite all this, Murdoch's books, like McEwan's, are page-turners for me.The difference, though, is that I love Murdoch. I don't know what it is about her characters - perhaps it is that, along with their many flaws, they also realize their limitations, and are engaged in trying to do better and be better than they are. In Jackson's Dilemma, the annoyance of reading about the rather petty concerns of a bunch of well-educated, wealthy, underemployed British friends is somehow overcome by the silly but amusing and humanizing insight into their motivations and hopes. It shouldn't be enough to get the reader past the often overwrought passages in which Benet or Rosalind or Jackson think about how s/he can possibly undo the ultimately inconsequential infraction that just occurred, but it is.
What do You think about Jackson's Dilemma (1997)?
Kinda of like a nice meal followed by shitty coffee... Interesting romanticized characters, ridiculous dialog/ inner monologues, and a neat but somewhat unpredictable ending. Edward is by far the best character. I may never read another Murdoch novel again unless I am trapped in a B&B in some remote part of Alaska in February and it is the only thing tucked on a bookshelf next to the bible and old Reader's digests. In other word palatable but not my favorite kind of thing. (I did finish it after all ).
—Rachel Marie-Crane Williams
Her last novel. Many seem to think that she wasn't very well. I found "Jackson's Dilemma" rather good fun but incredibly confusing. And not very well written. At times it felt that no one was able to hear the latest gossip or even open their front door without "almost fainting".On the plot, I thought we'd established that Edward "liked Benet ... but he did not get on with Benet's friends"? And we know that Edward only visited Penndean once before Uncle Tim's death ... and yet suddenly he's a firm part of the "Uncle Tim set" and Benet's like a father to him and everyone's simply devastated when the wedding doesn't happen.Was Jackson Jesus? Was Cantor the devil? When we meet Cantor at Barker's he has "thick blondish heavy hair ... he with his large blue eyes, yet wild, like an animal". Jackson meets Cantor a few days later and he "was a young man with thick long dark hair and large wide open staring brown eyes". Is this an homage to the Elias Canetti character in "Flight from the Enchanter"? "Jackson glanced down and saw that it was a hundred pound note". A £100 note? What does this mean?I confess that I'm not entirely clear on what Jackson's dilemma was. Is she being ironic? Jackson does an awful lot, and always seems rather sure of himself; coming and going as his will dictated. Is it at the end, and whether he should remain with Benet?
—David
A romantic comedy about a group of friends who have Shakespearean romantic mix-ups... only, in this version, everyone has an emotionally intense personality, is suffering from an existential crisis, and has a classical education. I liked seeing the view of a romantic comedy from inside the head of intense, intelligent people. I did not like that it felt like chunks of the story were missing and... worst of all.... spoiler coming**********I never did find out what Jackson's dilemma was!! I stayed up late for no reason! To be fair, maybe the entire book was a remake of Two Gentleman from Verona or Dante's Inferno or another classic and maybe I just didn't get it.
—April
