Poems from an Attic

Selected Poems, 1936-95

Iris Murdoch, Anne Rowe, Miles Leeson , Rachel Hirschler

$34.99

Hardback

Forthcoming
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English

Chatto & Windus
06 November 2025

Poetry; Poetry by individual poets; Western philosophy, from c 1900 -

Newly discovered, an intimate collection of poems that shine a light on Iris Murdoch's own life and loves

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.

By: Iris Murdoch
Edited by: Anne Rowe, Miles Leeson, Rachel Hirschler, Frances White
Imprint: Chatto & Windus
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions: Height: 222mm, Width: 138mm, Spine: 25mm
Weight: 400g
ISBN: 9781784746124
ISBN 10: 1784746126
Pages: 192
Publication Date: 06 November 2025
Audience: General/trade , College/higher education , Professional and scholarly , ELT Advanced , Primary
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Forthcoming

Iris Murdoch (Author) Iris Murdoch was born in Dublin in 1919. After working in the Treasury and in the UN, she discovered philosophy, eventually becoming Fellow at St Anne's College, Oxford. Her philosophical concerns are at the heart of the 25 novels for which she became famous, gaining the Whitbread Prize for The Sacred and Profane Love Machine and the Booker Prize for The Sea, The Sea. Until her death in 1999, she lived in Oxford with her husband, the academic and critic, John Bayley. She wrote poetry all her life. Rachel Hirschler is the lead transcriber with the Iris Murdoch Collections at Kingston University Archives. Miles Leeson, Anne Rowe and Frances White are leading academics and editors who have published widely on Iris Murdoch's life, philosophy and novels. Together they administer and contribute to the work of the Iris Murdoch Research Centre, the Iris Murdoch Society and the Iris Murdoch Review.