Darkstroke

The Sea, the Sea

The Sea, the Sea book cover
TS
Fiction Classics Philosophy

by Iris Murdoch, Mary Kinzie

starstarstarstar_halfstar
3.90 (10.8K ratings)
calendar_today 1978
description 528 pages

The Sea, the Sea by Iris Murdoch, Mary Kinzie holds a well received rating of 3.90 out of 5, based on 10.8K reader ratings. First published in 1978. The book spans 528 pages.

About The Sea, the Sea

Charles Arrowby, leading light of England's theatrical set, retires from glittering London to an isolated home by the sea. He plans to write a memoir about his great love affair with Clement Makin, his mentor both professionally and personally, and to amuse himself with Lizzie, an actress he has strung along for many years. None of his plans work out, and his memoir evolves into a riveting chronicle of the strange events and unexpected visitors--some real, some spectral--that disrupt his world and shake his oversized ego to its very core.In exposing the jumble of motivations that drive Arrowby and the other characters, Iris Murdoch lays bare "the truth of untruth"--the human vanity, jealousy, and lack of compassion behind the disguises they present to the world. Played out against a vividly rendered landscape and filled with allusions to myth and magic, Charles's confrontation with the tidal rips of love and forgiveness is one of Murdoch's most moving and powerful novels.

Detail Value
Author Iris Murdoch, Mary Kinzie
Published 1978
Pages 528
Genres Fiction, Classics, Philosophy
Average Rating 3.90 / 5.00
Total Ratings 10,849

Reader Ratings & Analysis

Rating Overview

3.9
starstarstarstar_halfstar
10.8K ratings
With a rating of 3.90, The Sea, the Sea is rated below the global average of 4.17. Compared to its genre average of 3.99, it performs on par.

How It Compares

3.90
This Book
3.99
Classics Average
4.17
Global Average

Frequently Asked Questions

What genre is The Sea, the Sea?

The Sea, the Sea is categorized as Fiction, Classics, Philosophy. Its primary genre classification is Classics.

Is The Sea, the Sea worth reading?

Based on 10.8K reader ratings, The Sea, the Sea has an average score of 3.90 out of 5.00, which is considered "Well Received."

How many pages is The Sea, the Sea?

The Sea, the Sea has 528 pages. It is a longer read suited for dedicated readers.

Who wrote The Sea, the Sea?

The Sea, the Sea was written by Iris Murdoch, Mary Kinzie. It was first published in 1978.

What is the ISBN for The Sea, the Sea?

The ISBN-13 for The Sea, the Sea is 9780141186160.0.

Data sourced from community book ratings and reviews. Last updated: April 15, 2026