Iris Murdoch's first novel is set in a part of London where struggling writers rub shoulders with successful bookies, and film starlets with frantic philosophers. Jake is captivated by a majestic philosopher, Hugo Belfounder, whose profound and inconclusive reflections give the book its title - under the net of language.

Jake is clever, lazy and scraping by in London as a hack translator.

Jake loves Anna. Anna is an elusive and lovely singer. Anna loves Hugo. Hugo is a fireworks manufacturer turned movie producer and majestic philosopher. Hugo loves Sadie. Sadie is a glossy and dazzling film starlet. Of course, Sadie loves Jake. Then there’s Marvellous Mister Mars, the famous hound, who might or might not be Jake’s ticket up and out of this mess.

‘A dazzling story, light and comic in touch’
The Times

‘A brilliant talent’
Times Literary Supplement

WITH AN INTRODUCTION BY CHARLOTTE MENDELSON