Science is the poetry of the intellect and poetry the science of the hearts affections. The alexandria quartet, series of four novels by lawrence durrell. Here is an excerpt regarding the first volume and character, justine 1957. The alexandria quartet, chapter 5 of a biography of laurence durell. That was the case with politics in the united states in 178389.
Feb 24, 2012 lawrence durrell, born 100 years ago, is best known for the alexandria quartet, a study of modern love with a plot full of surprises there are shocks around every dusty corner, writes jan morris. The book is in the tradition, too, of norman douglass south wind, a book about how not alexandria, but capri, makes its characters lose their moral bearings, and how losing their morality is actually the best thing that could happen to the characters. The alexandria quartet by lawrence durrell, 9780571283934, available at book depository with free delivery worldwide. The fourth book is a partial retrospective on the events of the first three books, set in. Few books have been awaited as eagerly as clea, the sensuous and electrically suspenseful novel that resolves the enigmas of the alexandria quartet. A critical and commercial success, the books present four perspectives on a single set of events and characters in alexandria, egypt, before and during world war ii. He is an impecunious wouldbe novelist he is actually writing the alexandria quartet during the course of the book, who makes his money by teaching and, briefly, spying and, during the war, working for the british embassy. Clea alexandria quartet by durrell, lawrence and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. This is corroborated by vipond who notes that the quartet, in the true modernist form reflects the modernist tradition while undermining it. May 10, 2015 political processes can be uncooperative, unpredictable and wrongheaded. I spaced reading of the four novels over two years, and always returned with joy and anticipation. Set in alexandria, egypt, in the years before, during, and after world war ii, the books follow the lives of a circle of friends and lovers, including sensitive darley. The alexandria quartet is unquestionably his most admired work, at heart a sensuous and brilliant evocation of wartime alexandria.
The magnificent final volume of one of the most widely acclaimed fictional masterpieces of the postwar era. Alexandria revisited is the alexandria quartet as good as we all thought it was when we first read it more than 20 years ago. Jan, 2019 open library is an initiative of the internet archive, a 501c3 nonprofit, building a digital library of internet sites and other cultural artifacts in digital form. The dazzling second volume of the alexandria quartet and enthralling and deeply disturbing work of gorgeous surfaces and endless deceptions. While i was reading les trois mousquetaires last week, i wondered a couple of times if it had served as partial inspiration for the alexandria quartet. Durrell is quite masterful and insightful when he allows his characters to be. Durrell published his fourpart novel in the period 19571960. The first three volumes describe, from different viewpoints, a series of events in.
Justine, balthazar, mountolive, clea durrell, lawrence isbn. October 10, 1982, sunday, late city final edition section 7. T he year 2012 was the centenary of the birth of lawrence george durrell, and the event was celebrated with the guardians online reading group of the alexandria quartet 195760, the publication by faber of a new edition of the quartet with a specially commissioned intro by jan morris and an important conference in london sponsored by the. The alexandria quartet is a ghost story in many ways, come to think of it. That said it remains a work that evokes an alexandria that has since been pretty comprehensively trampled in to the dust by a billion tourists feet. I am embarrassed to enjoy lawrence durrells alexandria quartet so much. Its events occur mainly in alexandria, egypt, in the period 19331945. A critical and commercial success, the first three books present three perspectives on a single set of events and characters in alexandria, egypt, before and during the second world war. The lush and sensuous tetralogy, which consists of justine 1957, balthazar 1958, mountolive 1958, and clea 1960, is set in alexandria, egypt, during the 1940s. Most impressive throughout the alexandria quartet is the nearly baroque poetic language. Darley attempts to reconcile himself to the end of his affair with the dark, passionate justine hosnani setting alight a beguiling exploration of sexual and political intrigue that the author himself described as an.
This atmospheric, poetic quartet of novels, undoubtedly one of the great english works of the postsecond world war period, is set in wartime alexandria, with its politics, passions, corruption and vice. At first glance, they all seem terribly exotic, in part because of their alexandrian setting, which seems to shape character in mysterious ways. A critical and commercial success, the first three books present three. The alexandria quartet, chapter 5 of a biography of laurence. Three of the books are written in the first person, mountolive in the third. It is he that sees or hears of much of the action and reports it. It is richly compelling, especially in this quietly powerful reading. Hope you find my views on the book and later on the whole quartet interesting and fall in love with the books as much as i did. Borrow ebooks, audiobooks, and videos from thousands of public libraries worldwide. There are, in fact, two writers as characters in the book and durrell manages to make them both talented, artistic and eloquent and yet utterly distinct.
One of the cleverest things about the dumas novel is the way he reinterprets early 17th century french history as really being about the romantic lives of anne of austria, on the large scene, and dartagnan, on the small one a sort of sherlock. The alexandria string trio or duo is an excellent alternative to a string quartet where space is restricted or where budgets are limited. No survey of the alexandria quartet could do without mentioning its authors aptitude for language. It is difficult to capture the satisfaction of reading the alexandria quartet. The alexandria quartet by lawrence durrell, 9780571283934, available at book. Some years and one world war was after his bizarre liaisons with melissa and justine, the irish migr darley becomes enmeshed with. The alexandria quartet is a very beautiful book in all the aspects. Aug 31, 2016 the alexandria quartet is a tetralogy of novels by british writer lawrence durrell, published between 1957 and 1960.
The alexandria quartet is a sequence of four novels published between 1957 and 1960 by british writer lawrence durrell. A link to the summary of the alexandria quartet and other information can be found at the enotes link below. One of the best things about the quartet is delving deeper into an overarching story with each of the first three novels. Immediately download the the alexandria quartet summary, chapterbychapter analysis, book notes, essays, quotes, character descriptions, lesson plans, and more everything you need for studying or teaching the alexandria quartet. Justine 1957, balthazar 1958, mountolive 1958, and clea 1960. I first read them as separate novels when i was 1718.
Three of the books are written in the first person, mountolive. Apr 02, 2011 the alexandria quartet is the most famous and successful book of the british author lawrence durrell 19121990. The alexandria quartet is a tetralogy of novels by british writer lawrence durrell, published between 1957 and 1960. The lush and sensuous series consists of justine 1957 balthazar 1958. The alexandria quartet is a striking and sensuous masterpiece, breathing vivid life into each of its unforgettable characters and the dusty mediterranean city in which they live. Lawrence durrells series of four novels set in alexandria. The alexandria quartet book series by lawrence durrell includes books justine, balthazar, mountolive, and several more. Mar 29, 2012 t he conversation about the alexandria quartet has been so fascinating this month that im reluctant to bring it to a close. Buy a cheap copy of the alexandria quartet book by lawrence durrell.
Set of four paperback novels justine, balthazar, mountolive, clea lawrence durrell on. The alexandria quartet, a tetralogy written by lawrence durrell and consisting of four novels, justine 1957, balthazar 1958, mountolive 1959 and clea. Youve probably heard enough from me, but theres far more to discuss. The alexandria quartet ebook by lawrence durrell author. For example, hamilton wanted a consolidated government.
Set in egypt before and during world war ii, each of the first three books narrates the same sequence of events from a new perspective. Never miss a show track your favorite bands and get show alerts for your area. The alexandria quartetseries overdrive rakuten overdrive. Lawrence durrells series of four novels set in alexandria, egypt during the 1940s.
See the complete alexandria quartet series book list in order, box sets or omnibus editions, and companion titles. Clea was my absolute favorite of the alexandria quartet novels. The alexandria quartet is the story of the life and loves of a young british man, darley, who lives in egypt during world war ii. The passage above is placed toward the end of the series first novel, justine, as part of the books final extended scene. The alexandria quartet by lawrence durrell librarything. Revisiting lawrence durrells the alexandria quartet paul. The alexandria quartet by lawrence durrell goodreads. The acclaimed first novel of the alexandria quartet, and the celebrated story of an allconsuming love transcending time and place. It was an early passion of mine and one i revisit for the blowsy comfort it provides and for the disconcerting peelingoff.
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