Iris Murdoch
6
Book Series
45
Total Books
📚 Where to Start?
Publication Order of Standalone Novels
Best for beginners - Start with "Under the Net" (1954)
Publication Order of Short Stories/Novellas
Popular choice - Start with "Something Special" (1957)
Publication Order of Collections
Popular choice - Start with "A Year of Birds" (1978)
Publication Order of Plays
Popular choice - Start with "The Three Arrows" (1973)
About the Author
Iris Murdoch is an Irish and British published author. She also went by Dame Jean Iris Murdoch. She was a novelist, philosopher, and lecturer. Murdoch was born July 15, 1919 in Dublin, Ireland. She was the daughter to Irene Alice and Wills John Hughes Murdoch. Her father came from a family that farmed sheep and worked as a civil servant. He would enlist in 1915 as a soldier, serving in the first World War in France. He would eventually become a second lieutenant. Her mother was from a family in Dublin that was solidly middle class and was a trained singer. Her parents were married in 1918 after meeting in Dublin. She was their only child. When she was very young they decided to move to London. Her father worked as a clerk for the Ministry of Health. Iris went to progressive independent sch. Iris Murdoch is the author of over 45 books across 6 series. Their most famous work is the Publication Order of Standalone Novels series, which has garnered millions of readers worldwide. With such a prolific career, Iris Murdoch has established themselves as one of the most influential authors in contemporary fiction.
Book Series in Publication Order
Publication Order of Standalone Novels
27 books
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Under the Net The Publication Order of Standalone Novels series continues with 'Under the Net', another thrilling entry from Iris Murdoch.(1954) ⭐ Start here
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The Flight from the Enchanter In 'The Flight from the Enchanter', readers discover a captivating tale that continues the Publication Order of Standalone Novels saga.(1956) ⭐ Start here
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The Sandcastle In 'The Sandcastle', readers discover a captivating tale that continues the Publication Order of Standalone Novels saga.(1957) ⭐ Start here
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The Bell Experience the magic of 'The Bell' as it builds upon the beloved Publication Order of Standalone Novels universe.(1958) ⭐ Start here
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Cloches The Publication Order of Standalone Novels series continues with 'Cloches', another thrilling entry from Iris Murdoch.(1958) ⭐ Start here
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A Severed Head Experience the magic of 'A Severed Head' as it builds upon the beloved Publication Order of Standalone Novels universe.(1961) ⭐ Start here
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An Unofficial Rose Join the adventure in 'An Unofficial Rose' as the story unfolds across the Publication Order of Standalone Novels series by Iris Murdoch.(1962) ⭐ Start here
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The Unicorn Join the adventure in 'The Unicorn' as the story unfolds across the Publication Order of Standalone Novels series by Iris Murdoch.(1963) ⭐ Start here
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The Italian Girl Join the adventure in 'The Italian Girl' as the story unfolds across the Publication Order of Standalone Novels series by Iris Murdoch.(1964) ⭐ Start here
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The Red and the Green In 'The Red and the Green', readers discover a captivating tale that continues the Publication Order of Standalone Novels saga.(1965) ⭐ Start here
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The Time of the Angels The Publication Order of Standalone Novels series continues with 'The Time of the Angels', another thrilling entry from Iris Murdoch.(1966) ⭐ Start here
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The Nice and the Good 'The Nice and the Good' is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Standalone Novels series, set in the world Iris Murdoch has created.(1968) ⭐ Start here
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Bruno's Dream The Publication Order of Standalone Novels series continues with 'Bruno's Dream', another thrilling entry from Iris Murdoch.(1969) ⭐ Start here
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A Fairly Honourable Defeat 'A Fairly Honourable Defeat' is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Standalone Novels series, set in the world Iris Murdoch has created.(1970) ⭐ Start here
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An Accidental Man Experience the magic of 'An Accidental Man' as it builds upon the beloved Publication Order of Standalone Novels universe.(1971) ⭐ Start here
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The Black Prince In 'The Black Prince', readers discover a captivating tale that continues the Publication Order of Standalone Novels saga.(1973) ⭐ Start here
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The Sacred and Profane Love Machine 'The Sacred and Profane Love Machine' explores themes of love and relationships in this compelling entry of the Publication Order of Standalone Novels series by Iris Murdoch.(1974) ⭐ Start here
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A Word Child Join the adventure in 'A Word Child' as the story unfolds across the Publication Order of Standalone Novels series by Iris Murdoch.(1975) ⭐ Start here
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Henry and Cato 'Henry and Cato' is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Standalone Novels series, set in the world Iris Murdoch has created.(1976) ⭐ Start here
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The Sea, The Sea Experience the magic of 'The Sea, The Sea' as it builds upon the beloved Publication Order of Standalone Novels universe.(1978) ⭐ Start here
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Nuns and Soldiers Experience the magic of 'Nuns and Soldiers' as it builds upon the beloved Publication Order of Standalone Novels universe.(1980) ⭐ Start here
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The Philosopher's Pupil 'The Philosopher's Pupil' is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Standalone Novels series, set in the world Iris Murdoch has created.(1983) ⭐ Start here
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The Good Apprentice 'The Good Apprentice' is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Standalone Novels series, set in the world Iris Murdoch has created.(1985) ⭐ Start here
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The Book and the Brotherhood The Publication Order of Standalone Novels series continues with 'The Book and the Brotherhood', another thrilling entry from Iris Murdoch.(1987) ⭐ Start here
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The Message to the Planet Experience the magic of 'The Message to the Planet' as it builds upon the beloved Publication Order of Standalone Novels universe.(1989) ⭐ Start here
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The Green Knight Join the adventure in 'The Green Knight' as the story unfolds across the Publication Order of Standalone Novels series by Iris Murdoch.(1993) ⭐ Start here
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Jackson's Dilemma Join the adventure in 'Jackson's Dilemma' as the story unfolds across the Publication Order of Standalone Novels series by Iris Murdoch.(1995) ⭐ Start here
Publication Order of Short Stories/Novellas
1 books
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Something Special In 'Something Special', readers discover a captivating tale that continues the Publication Order of Short Stories/Novellas saga.(1957)
Publication Order of Collections
2 books
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A Year of Birds Experience the magic of 'A Year of Birds' as it builds upon the beloved Publication Order of Collections universe.(1978)
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Poems from an Attic: Selected Poems, 1936-95 'Poems from an Attic: Selected Poems, 1936-95' is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Collections series, set in the world Iris Murdoch has created.(2025)
Publication Order of Plays
5 books
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The Three Arrows In 'The Three Arrows', readers discover a captivating tale that continues the Publication Order of Plays saga.(1973)
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The Three Arrows and the Servants and the Snow The Publication Order of Plays series continues with 'The Three Arrows and the Servants and the Snow', another thrilling entry from Iris Murdoch.(1974)
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Acastos The Publication Order of Plays series continues with 'Acastos', another thrilling entry from Iris Murdoch.(1986)
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Joanna Joanna In 'Joanna Joanna', readers discover a captivating tale that continues the Publication Order of Plays saga.(1994)
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The One Alone Join the adventure in 'The One Alone' as the story unfolds across the Publication Order of Plays series by Iris Murdoch.(1995)
Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books
8 books
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Sartre: Romantic Rationalist Join the adventure in 'Sartre: Romantic Rationalist' as the story unfolds across the Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books series by Iris Murdoch.(1953)
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The Sovereignty of Good 'The Sovereignty of Good' is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books series, set in the world Iris Murdoch has created.(1970)
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The Fire and the Sun 'The Fire and the Sun' is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books series, set in the world Iris Murdoch has created.(1976)
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Existentialist Political Myth The Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books series continues with 'Existentialist Political Myth', another thrilling entry from Iris Murdoch.(1989)
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Metaphysics as a Guide to Morals Join the adventure in 'Metaphysics as a Guide to Morals' as the story unfolds across the Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books series by Iris Murdoch.(1992)
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Existentialists and Mystics The Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books series continues with 'Existentialists and Mystics', another thrilling entry from Iris Murdoch.(1997)
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Iris Murdoch, A Writer at War: Letters and Diaries, 1939-1945 'Iris Murdoch, A Writer at War: Letters and Diaries, 1939-1945' is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books series, set in the world Iris Murdoch has created.(2002)
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Living on Paper: Letters from Iris Murdoch, 1934–1995 'Living on Paper: Letters from Iris Murdoch, 1934–1995' is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books series, set in the world Iris Murdoch has created.(2015)
Publication Order of Anthologies
2 books
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Women Writing 'Women Writing' is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Anthologies series, set in the world Iris Murdoch has created.(1979)
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Best for Winter 'Best for Winter' is an essential installment in the Publication Order of Anthologies series, set in the world Iris Murdoch has created.(1979)
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Who is Iris Murdoch?
Iris Murdoch is a bestselling author known for 6 book series containing over 45 books. Popular series include Publication Order of Standalone Novels, Publication Order of Short Stories/Novellas, Publication Order of Collections. Their work has captivated millions of readers worldwide.
Q: What is the best Iris Murdoch book series to start with?
For readers new to Iris Murdoch's work, we recommend starting with the Publication Order of Standalone Novels series. This series showcases the author's signature style and is considered one of their most accessible and engaging works. With 27 books, it offers a perfect entry point to Iris Murdoch's writing.
Q: How many books has Iris Murdoch written?
Iris Murdoch has written over 45 books across 6 different series. From thriller mysteries to fantasy adventures, their diverse body of work offers something for every reader.