A group of liberal-minded intellectuals got together in their youth to subsidise their friend, David Crimond to write the definitive book about their political beliefs. Now years later, there is no sign of the book, but Crimond is about to erupt into their lives again. Iris Murdoch has written twenty-three novels to date - all of which are published in Penguin. "The Book and the Brotherhood" was shortlisted for the 1987 Booker Prize.