The Bell
Iris Murdoch's The Bell (1958) is a gay fiction novel. Much of the action takes place in Gloucestershire, England. It deals with married women, gay men, church bells and religious communities.
27 Open Library readers have it on their want-to-read list. It has been published in 71 editions across 5 languages.
It runs to roughly 319 pages — 5–6 hours of reading at an average pace.
About The Bell
A lay community of thoroughly mixed-up people is encamped outside Imber Abbey, home of an enclosed order of nuns. A new bell, legendary symbol of religion and magic, is rediscovered. Dora Greenfield, erring wife, returns to her husband. Michael Mead, leader of the community, is confronted by Nick Fawley, with whom he had disastrous homosexual relations, while the wise old Abbess watches and prays and exercises discreet authority. And everyone, or almost everyone, hopes to be saved whatever that may mean...Iris Murdoch's funny and sad novel is about religion, the fight between good and evil and the terrible accidents of human frailty.
Quick answers
Who wrote The Bell?
The Bell was written by Iris Murdoch and first published in 1958.
What genre is The Bell?
It is usually shelved as Gay Fiction.
How long is The Bell?
The median edition has 319 pages, about 5–6 hours of reading at 250 words per minute.
What books are similar to The Bell?
Readers who like it often enjoy Hemlock and After, A Single Man and Maurice.
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