The Good Apprentice

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**The Good Apprentice**
Author	Iris Murdoch
Country	United Kingdom
Language	English
Publisher
Released	1985

The Good Apprentice is a 1985 novel by Iris Murdoch.

[edit] Plot introduction

Edward Baltram is a depressed individual overwhelmed with guilt. He had given his best friend Mark a sandwich laced with a hallucinogenic drug for a joke. After Mark, still high, falls to his death from a window, Edward is wracked with guilt afterwards and gives up on life. In search of his father, Jesse Baltram, Edward sets off for Seegard - his father's gothic house full of many surreal surprises, away from the harsh reality of London. As Edward progresses through the novel, he experiences a debilitating crisis of conscience.

[edit] Plot summary

Spoiler warning: Plot and/or ending details follow.

A parallel to Edward's story, is Stuart's - the brother of Edward. Stuart decides to give up his studies, disappointing his father and goes in search of the 'good' - whatever that may be. However to live a life of celibacy where he is mocked by everyone is not easy as Stuart may think.

While Edward seeks redemption and Stuart salvation, another character seeks love. Midge McCaskerville is having an affair with her husband's best friend, Harry Cuno - stepfather to Edward Baltram and father to Stuart Baltram. Her passionate love affair comes to a head after two years when she is disgraced publicly and falls unexpectedly in love with Harry's son, Stuart. Left with a difficult decision Midge turns to Edward for support.