This poignant story looks at the choices available to an Irish woman in her twenties. Yvonne's mother and uncle would like her to marry her current suitor. Yvonne wants to hold out for something special. A Saturday evening date reveals just how differently Yvonne and her suitor define “special.” The evening's events lead Yvonne to reassess her options.

This story was published in its entirety after Murdoch's death as a stand-alone illustrated book. While it has a strong sense of place in the outskirts of Dublin, the characterization is a bit weak. I wonder if Murdoch didn't have it published because she wasn't satisfied with it. ( )

I have never read any of Iris Murdoch's books, so I thought this was a quick way of getting a feel for her. This is a very short story, and Iris Murdoch's only short story, but it gets right to the point quickly, being set as it is over just one night. It left me wondering what sort of life the two main characters will go on to live, not a happy one I feel. ( )

This recently discovered story – apparently from the 1940s – reveals Murdoch’s talent at an earlier stage than most of her novels. The story seems a bit awkward in parts, and does not have that smooth flowing prose of her novels, especially, The Bell, The Book and the Brotherhood, and The Green Knight. Nevertheless, as I work my way through her 26 novels (I am about half-way through), I enjoy seeing a slightly different side of one of the 20th century’s great novelists. Michael McCurdy adds interesting illustrations of scenes from the story.

After reading Peter Conradi’s thoroughly detailed biography, I can see some of the young Murdoch and her attitude toward marriage in Yvonne Geary. She does not seem inclined toward marriage, and Sam Goldman does not seem a good fit for the independent minded Yvonne.

A nice slim little book, and only because I am spoiled by the wonderful prose of Murdoch do I give this 4 stars.

--Jim, 3/13/11 ( )

Bought 18 May 2008 - Booth's Bookshop, Hay-on-Wye

Something special indeed - a short story by Murdoch, previously unpublished except in an unfindable anthology, and in Japan. It's an odd little story, written in the 1950s and set on one evening in an atmospheric Dublin. Apart from the lake, hidden garden and capricious woman, this does not have many Murdochian hallmarks, but it's an entertaining and wistful, if overly short, read. ( )