zoom_in Click to enlarge

Under the Net

▲ ▼

description Under the Net Overview

Under the Net, published in 1954, was the debut novel by Irish-British philosopher and writer Iris Murdoch. Set primarily in London, it follows the picaresque adventures of Jake Donaghue, a struggling writer and translator navigating bohemian literary circles. The novel blends philosophical themes drawn from Murdoch's academic background with comic situations and elements of the traditional picaresque novel. It explores questions of truth, language, and authenticity through Jake's encounters with various characters, including his philosophical mentor Hugo Belfounder.

help Under the Net FAQ

What does the title Under the Net mean?

The title refers to the difficulty of capturing reality beneath the "net" of language, theories, and tidy explanations. That idea is linked to Jake Donaghue's troubled relationship with philosopher Hugo Belfounder and to the novel's interest in misunderstanding.

Why is Jake Donaghue searching for Hugo Belfounder?

Jake once turned his conversations with Hugo into a book without fully acknowledging their source, damaging their friendship. His attempt to find Hugo becomes part apology, part intellectual pursuit, and part comic chase through London.

Is Mister Mars really kidnapped in Under the Net?

Yes, Jake and his companions steal Mister Mars, a talented film-star dog, during one of the novel's farcical episodes. The dog becomes entangled in Jake's dealings with film executive Samuel Starfield.

Is Under the Net a philosophical novel or a comedy?

It is both a picaresque comedy and a novel about language, truth, art, and human relationships. Published in 1954 as Iris Murdoch's first novel, it uses Jake's chaotic London adventures to carry those philosophical concerns.

swap_horiz

Looking for Under the Net alternatives? Compare top competitors ranked & scored

arrow_forward