“The Philosopher’s Pupil” is a landmark tragicomedy by the outstanding British writer Iris Murdoch, a recognized master of subtle psychological insight.
The life of the seaside resort town of Annisston quietly revolves around baths and healing springs. Quietly—until the town gets back its most famous native: Professor of Philosophy John Robert Rozanov, searching for a decent gentleman for his beautiful granddaughter. And his once-beloved student, long ago trading philosophy first for art history and then for drunken brawling and messy sexual relationships, tries to understand whether he truly wanted to drown his lawful wife on a rainy night—or whether it was only something he imagined…