Poems from an Attic: Selected Poems, 1936-95

by Iris Murdoch, Miles Leeson (Editor), Anne Rowe (Editor)

A definitive collection of poems by the major twentieth-century novelist and philosopher, newly discovered in the attic of Murdoch's former home.

While she is pre-eminent as one of the twentieth century's great novelists and philosophers, Murdoch's life as a poet has languished in the shadows. Yet throughout her life she wrote, revised and re-wrote a sizeable collection of poems; publishing some but keeping many private and - ultimately - shut in a chest in her attic.

Their recent discovery marks a significant literary event. Ranging over nearly six decades, these searing, confessional poems balance craft with playfulness; psychological insight with Murdoch's own personal feelings. As an autobiographical account, they are unlike anything else. They shine a new light on Iris Murdoch's turbulent relationships with men and women, her decades-long marriage and extraordinary life.

These radically honest poems are for anyone who have at one time or another gone soul-searching in the midst of heartbreak - and for those who have found solace in the quiet joys of friendship.

Genres: Poetry

192 pages, Hardcover

Published November 6, 2025

About the author

Dame Jean Iris Murdoch

Irish-born British writer, university lecturer and prolific and highly professional novelist, Iris Murdoch dealt with everyday ethical or moral issues, sometimes in the light of myths. As a writer, she was a perfectionist who did not allow editors to change her text. Murdoch produced 26 novels in 40 years, the last written while she was suffering from Alzheimer disease.

"She wanted, through her novels, to reach all possible readers, in different ways and by different means: by the excitement of her story, its pace and its comedy, through its ideas and its philosophical implications, through the numinous atmosphere of her own original and created world--the world she must have glimpsed as she considered and planned her first steps in the art of fiction." (John Bayley in Elegy for Iris, 1998)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iris_Mur...

Reviews

[Miranda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some really great poems here, a nice intro and an interesting essay at the end talking a bit about Murdoch's crazy private life. My faves included:
- Star-Fisher
- Poem for A, who asked for one when I was feeling uninspired
- Musical Evening for Three
- For B, who tried to persuade me of something in a somewhat Freudian metaphysical poem
- The "Conversations with a Prince" series of poems
- A Fallen Tree in the University Parks

I got this book out from the library but I'm sure I'll be reborrowing or buying it at some point to have a re-read!

[Karina · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great addition to my study of Murdoch. She is such a fascinating human and her poetry gives us insights into her brilliant mind.

[Răzvan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Te reîndrăgostești citEști „Poems from an Attic: Selected Poems, 1936–1995”, Iris Murdoch, Chatto & Windus, 2025
„Îți arăt ție fotografia asta ca să-ți amintesc / fricile pe care dragostea noastră triumfătoare le-a lăsat în urmă!” p.76 Iris Murdoch, „Poems from an Attic: Selected Poems, 1936–1995”, Chatto & Windus, 2025
Ce-ai zice dacă ai găsi, într-un pod prăfuit, un cufăr plin de poezii secrete ale unei genii literare? Exact asta s-a întâmplat cu Iris Murdoch! Celebra romancieră e cunoscută pentru viața ei „radicală”. Dar și pentru romanele inteligente. Ea a păstrat ascunsă, timp de decenii, o colecție incendiară de versuri. Descoperite în 2016, aceste „Poems from an Attic” te poartă prin 60 de ani de viață, explorând, în vocea proprie a lui Murdoch, iubiri intense (și bisexuale), gelozie, prietenii și tumult emoțional. E o incursiune brutal de onestă în inima și mintea unei scriitoare care a anticipat discuțiile despre fluiditatea sexuală cu mult înainte ca ele să devină mainstream. Atât de onestă că iese o carte despre care în sfârșit auzi că lumea intelectuală ar prefera să nu o știe publicată. Nu toate versurile sunt perfecte (spun cei care ai zice că știu cum ar trebui), dar toate sunt profund revelatoare. Miza? Să vezi cum se desface secretul iubirii, în toate nuanțele sale, direct prin ochii unei minți sclipitoare și pasionale.
„Dragostea alături de mine icnește și te dă peste cap-/ O, palme de caprifoi, așa moi, așa dulci-/ Departe în carnea mea durerea stă și dă la roată,/ Rupe trupul chinuit al dorinței” p.21 Iris Murdoch, „Poems from an Attic: Selected Poems, 1936–1995”, Chatto & Windus, 2025
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PghhI...

[Andrea Engle · Rating 4 out of 5]

In 2016, many years after Iris Murdoch’s death, two of this work’s editors were invited to explore the attic of her home. In an ancient oak chest they discovered ten manuscript notebooks, filled with poetry. Joined by two more colleagues, they prepared the work for publication. Wide-ranging, though somewhat uneven, the poems display a rare elegance, and include several sonnets. The editors’ essay at the conclusion of the book reveals the biographical connections of many of these poems. As Murdoch herself said: “Poets can express much more than novelists, this connected sense of something which is simple and lucid and true and non-bogus and at the same time oddly accidental.”

[Eline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Queer feminist icon, Iris Murdoc they could never make me hate you

[Syd Li]

IM will always have a special place in my heart not the least because her name (and that of John Bayley) hangs next to the door to my library. Oxford to Paddington is really touching.

[Kendall McClain · Rating 3 out of 5]

my man get that chin up!! Pretty in like an average way to me

[Julie King]

Published posthumously, these poems do not compare to the brilliance of Murdoch's novels and philosophical works.