Iris Murdoch, once thought to be one of the most brilliant/intelligent woman in Britain has seen her reputation slump somewhat.
There are a host of interconnected reasons for this, but her well-documented descent into dementia (watching the Teletubbies happily etc.) has not helped.
I cannot do other than believe if she had walked into the River Ouse with her pockets full of stones her brand would now be different.
Better to burn out (or car crash or overdose or disappear in some unexplained manner) than to fade away.
Johnny Goodyear 