The Sandcastle

The Sandcastle 

Author: Iris Murdoch

The quiet life of schoolmaster Bill Mor and his wife, Nan, is disturbed when a young woman, Rain Carter, arrives at the school to paint the portrait of the headmaster. Mor becomes aware of new desires and a complex battle develops, involving love, guilt, magic and art. Mor's teenage children and their mother fight discreetly and ruthlessly against the invader. The headmaster, himself enchanted, advises Mor to seize the girl and run. The final decision rests with Rain. Can a 'great love' be purchased at too high a price?