This book contains two dialogues written as if to be performed, but I listened to the audiobook read by a single narrator and it was fine. Iris Murdorch, along with being an accomplished novelist is also a trained philosopher with a PhD and so course understands the nature of philosophy and philosophical discussion, elements that show up in many of her novels, and especially that of the relationship between master and mentee/student and teacher.
These dialogues, one about the nature and role of art in society, and one about the nature and role of religion in society are both interesting in the ways that they discuss those ideas. I find the art dialog to be the one I am more interested in in terms of my orientation to art and language, but as far as society goes, given that I live in the United States, I have to reckon with the role and importance of religion, but at the societal level and on the interpersonal one as well.
The charm of both dialogues is two-fold. Among her many expertises, Iris Murdoch seems to really understand youth and how youth informs knowledge. So the ideas of the boys in each one are audacious, foolhardy, and earnest — rash and invective at times, and both supremely confident and self-conscious at the same time. So watching her not only put Socrates in the role of teacher, but also infusing the dialogues with personality is a great success.
The other charm is that Plato is represented here as an annoyed failed poet who is clearly smarter than every other student, but reticent to speak up except when absolutely compelled, upon which time he thoroughly settles the matter.
(Photo: https://www.amazon.com/Acastos-Platonic-Dialogues-Murdoch-1986-12-30/dp/B01K0U1I3W/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1572448775&sr=8-1)