Despite a surfeit of explanation marks and italics to show emotion, this book enchants in its depiction of wealthy people deciding what to do about life and love. You feel for the main character, Benet, because you see his thoughts, which are tormented despite the triviality of the topic (the relationships of others, friends and family). ( )

Classic Murdoch composition. Nuggets of excellence, though not her best piece. Understandably - this was her last work before Alzheimers took a firm grasp. ( )

When Edward Lannion, the master of Hatting Hall, is dumped the night before his wedding, his life as well as the lives to his friends are thrown into turmoil. No one is sure why Marian called the wedding off and they worry that she is the victim of foul play. It seemed like it took me forever to get through this book. The first half of the book was filled with the self-pity of the characters. The way they were carrying on, you would have thought that they were the one left the night before their wedding instead of their friend. I understand why they would be upset and feel sorry for their friends, but at times it seemed like they were considering suicide because their friends did not get married. It became tedious fast. The second half the of book picked up a little bit as the reader learned what happened and why, but it all seemed a bit pointless and I think I missed the point of the book as I got to the end and still did not understand what the deal was with Jackson, the title character. I do know that this was Murdoch's last novel and researchers have discovered that this book was affected by early symptoms of her Alzheimer's. I will probably try another of her earlier novels to see if it is her style that was my problem, or if it was just the circumstances surrounding this book. ( )

This novel started out well enough but I gradually lost the will to carry on and really skim read by the last 50 pages just to get to the end and see who was going to live happily ever after with who.

The characters were marvellously drawn and engaging and the plot is a good one. We start on the eve of a wedding when a note from the bride to be is received calling the wedding off. The circumstances behind this are gradually revealed.

The novel has a timeless quality. I was all the time looking for clues; no mobile phones but normal phones. Cars but little idea of what kind. Some people had jobs and you could fly to Australia. The drama is that of an Edwardian melodrama or even farce at times, as people move around each others houses and proclaim undying love for each other.
A disappointing read for me. ( )

Murdoch's wide range of characters interact dramatically allowing Jackson's Dilemma to come alive with feelings of guilt, regret, desire, hope, frustration and especially love.

Why does Benet feel overly-responsible to those around him? Does he feel he is required to replace Uncle Tim? Tim intuitively understood, accepted and helped so many friends and acquaintances. Many of these people are polite to Benet but wish he didn't involve himself in their affairs. Fortunately, the mysterious Jackson is able to set things straight. ( )