When I reached the final words of Clea, a profound sense of disappointment washed over me.

Disappointment not only because the story had come to an end but also because I had to bid farewell to Alexandria.

Durrell描绘这座城市时充满了极大的热情与柔情，在某些段落中，我深受感动，几乎热泪盈眶。

那波光粼粼的大海、尘土飞扬的街道、享乐主义的狂欢节、阿拉伯街区……每当我因日常琐事不得不停止阅读时，这些画面都在我的脑海中挥之不去。

这四部书逐渐揭示了亚历山大港人民的故事，那些被这座城市所改变的人们。

尽管他们的命运可能有些可怕，但Durrell的笔触使其看起来既美丽又略带忧郁。

他们所有人的生活都交织在一张巨大的网络中，这张网络遍布埃及，是各种事件的催化剂，这些事件代表了以各种可能的形式去爱一个人的艰难。

总之，Clea给我带来了一次难忘的阅读体验，让我对亚历山大港这座城市有了更深的了解和感受。

I realized then the profound truth about all love: that it is an absolute, all-encompassing force that demands everything or forfeits all. The other emotions, such as compassion and tenderness, exist merely on the periphery, belonging to the constructs of society and habit.

My gratitude for M.J. Nicholls remains prominent in this celebration. It wasn't he who directly steered me towards this massive work. Honestly, I'm unable to gather any of MJN's inferences in the direction of Durrell. It was more Nicholls' spirit, that praiseworthy expansion on what we discuss when we review books on GR. Nietzsche initiated this process, loudly proclaiming that there are no facts, only interpretations. This leads us shining into the vortex of Durrell's 4D (apologies to Sherman and Peabody) tetralogy, with one name, one face, and one book for each dimension in that peculiar quantum way.

We commence at the End. The End, mind you, only of an Affair. There is something unctuous and queasy about this, much like Greene's masterpiece. Bendrix and Darley are well-suited for each other, but before one can Blitz the Casbah, the threads diverge and the emphasis progresses at a different angle, involving other souls. Some are deceased, while others are despairing. There is a dank, musky odor of incest here. This theme finds a strange counterpoint throughout.

The novel Balthazar takes the premise of Justine - foreigners misbehaving in the ancient city - and extrapolates it with an unknown resonance. A History worthy of Foucault is emerging midway through the second novel. Darley/Durrell is establishing a "great interlinear", a hypertext with contradicting testimony interspersed within his own account.

Montolive is my favorite among the set and a likely pinnacle of Durrell's ambition. The title character is a diplomat whose own troubled passion reverberates through the relationships of all the other characters, even as War looms on the horizon. The poems of Cavafy haunt the crackling descriptions of the feverish Egypt of the 1930s. This is a lost city buried beneath Islamic nationalism and a modern legacy of defeat and corruption.

The Quartet struggles to a halt in Clea, by far the weakest novel of the series. The necessary struggles of Darley and Clea felt so contrived that I have difficulty even thinking calmly about it now. What remains calm, however, are my memories of the book as an object. I purchased a hardcovered boxed set of the Quartet 20 years ago and attempted several times to find my footing in its opening pages. This was to no avail. Last fall, while limping around on a sore knee in Berlin, I went with my wife to an English Language second-hand bookshop just off of Karl Marx Allee. It is more pathetic than romantic to see an American limping abroad with his hands full of pretentious novels. Thus, I am guilty.

Lawrence Durrell, in my opinion, is undoubtedly the most renowned English novelist of the 20th century. I have devoured all of his books, yet "The Alexandria Quartet" stands out as his most outstanding work, set in Alexandria just before the Second World War.

It was initially composed of four novels: Justine, Balthazar, Mountolive, and Clea, which have now been combined into one. I first read this book approximately twenty years ago and I often revisit it to relish the exquisite style. I still hold a deep affection for it. Among all the sections, I particularly prefer the one on Mountolive. In it, he becomes entangled with Leila, an older woman, and gets married. He maintains contact with her and then returns to see her many years later. There is always a twist and something unexpected.

If someone were to ask me which single book I would choose to keep if I could only have one, without a doubt, it would be "The Alexandria Quartet". I find it extremely difficult to describe this remarkable style of writing. The author's vocabulary is awe-inspiring and the writing is sheer elegance.

The books that I have ever read are truly the most beautifully written ones.

Each word seems to be carefully chosen and placed, creating a magical and enchanting world within the pages.

The authors' vivid descriptions paint a picture in my mind, allowing me to vividly imagine the settings, characters, and their emotions.

The flow of the stories is seamless, captivating my attention from the very beginning until the end.

I find myself completely immersed in these books, forgetting about the outside world and losing track of time.

They have the power to touch my heart, make me laugh, cry, and think deeply about life.

These beautifully written books are not just a source of entertainment but also a source of inspiration and wisdom.

They have left a lasting impression on me and will always hold a special place in my heart.

I lived in the same place for 18 years of my life.

It is a place that holds a significant portion of my memories and见证了 my growth. I thought I knew it inside out.

But when I returned, it seemed so different.

Had the place changed, or was it me?

The answer, of course, is both.

This is the essence of Durrell's Quartet.

The book may be titled Alexandria, but that's just the setting.

It's not a travelogue; it's about how we perceive our surroundings and questions what is or was ever true.

Everyone has their own perception and experiences, and Alexandria itself has changed over time.

It's not the same in 1930 as it is in 1940.

The idea of weaving a story through multiple perspectives may not be novel, but Durrell does it masterfully.

Throughout the 4 books, I never grew tired of the story.

The story progresses even though the first three books cover the same time period.

Justine is a tale of love and pain in Alexandria.

The unnamed narrator is writing about his experiences in the city, filled with intrigue and messy relationships.

The characters are colorful, with painful pasts and many are corrupt, centered around a love triangle.

The title character is a young woman hardened by an abusive past that affects her present.

The writing is sensual and psychological, with a hint of mystery.

I'm looking forward to the next book.

Balthazar offers the same time period as Justine, but from Balthazar's perspective.

We get a deeper look at characters like Scobie, a cross-dressing secret service officer, and Pursewarden, an aloof English writer with biting dialogue that will make you laugh.

This book has a more direct and revealing tone compared to Justine's psychological and secretive one.

Still, there are clues, mysteries, and layers to uncover, which I assume we'll get in Mountolive.

Mountolive is another great installment.

Durrell's style is so diverse.

This book, again set in the same time as the others, is from Mountolive's point of view, an English Ambassador involved in investigating a crime involving those he cares for.

It has more mystery and intrigue, written almost like a spy novel.

As we read through all 3 books, we learn more about the characters and start to question our initial impressions.

It's a compelling read.

Clea, unlike the first three books, moves the story forward in time.

It starts with a bit more flowery prose than I prefer, but I was quickly hooked.

In a way, Clea serves as an epilogue.

Changes are everywhere: in relationships, in people, and in Alexandria itself.

Durrell ties up the story neatly, and when you're done, you'll want to flip through the previous books, feeling a bit nostalgic for some of the characters.

I've read that you can read the books out of order, but I don't see how.

Even though the three books cover the same time period, there are still story progressions within them.

My recommendation is to read them in order, but that's just my opinion.

Voluntary exile… Reminiscences… Memory of the past… Memory of life…

The sea is high again today, with a thrilling flush of wind. In the midst of winter, you can feel the inventions of spring. A sky of hot nude pearl until midday, crickets in sheltered places, and now the wind unpacking the great planes, ransacking the great planes…

I have escaped to this island with a few books and the child – Melissa’s child. I do not know why I use the word ‘escape’. The villagers say jokingly that only a sick man would choose such a remote place to rebuild. Well, then, I have come here to heal myself, if you like to put it that way…

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder… And beauty of a word is in the eye of the reader… And beauty of a thought is in the mind of the thinker… The Alexandria Quartet is a very beautiful book in all aspects. It is written in magical language that transports the reader to another world. The words seem to dance on the page, creating vivid images and emotions.

‘Science is the poetry of the intellect and poetry the science of the heart’s affections.’ This quote emphasizes the connection between science and art. Both are ways of understanding and expressing the world around us. Relativity reigns over everything. All events are relative, and their interpretation depends on the vantage point of the beholder. We must be open to different perspectives and interpretations to truly understand the complexity of life.

Beautiful - a word that evokes images of grace and charm.

Eloquent - the ability to express oneself with clarity and persuasiveness.

Haunting - something that lingers in the mind, leaving a lasting impression.

Airy - light and free, as if floating on a gentle breeze.

Meditative - conducive to deep thought and reflection.

Suave - smooth and sophisticated, with an air of confidence.

Cosmopolitan - worldly and diverse, influenced by cultures from around the globe.

Transcendent - rising above the ordinary, reaching a higher plane of existence.

Poetic - having the beauty and expressiveness of poetry.

Romantic - filled with love and passion, or having an idealized view of life.

Pessimistic - having a negative outlook, expecting the worst to happen.

Ruminative - given to deep thought and consideration.

Opaque - not transparent, difficult to understand or see through.

Mournful - expressing grief or sadness.

Tender - gentle and caring, showing affection.

Modern - of or relating to the present time, up-to-date and innovative.

Erotic - arousing sexual desire or excitement.

Imaginative - having a rich and creative imagination.

Masterful - showing great skill and expertise, in control and confident.

Magnificent - extremely beautiful, impressive, and grand.

These words describe a wide range of qualities and emotions, each adding a unique dimension to our understanding of the world and those around us.

I've just reread the Quartet after a forty-year interval. During these four decades, I've indulged in hundreds of books. And in recent years, I've even ventured into writing fiction of my own. Once upon a time, I was completely overwhelmed by Durrell’s remarkable descriptive power. His explosive creativity left me truly humbled.

As I returned to the exotic city of Alexandria through the pages of the Quartet, I couldn't help but wonder if I would once again be transfixed by the same kaleidoscope of words. Those words that had once rotated my view of love and life so profoundly.

Four volumes later, the answer is a resounding YES. Although my understandings have undoubtedly evolved over the years, these books still remain one of my few benchmarks for judging a masterpiece. They have withstood the test of time and continue to captivate me with their beauty, depth, and insight.

It's truly a remarkable experience to revisit these books and discover that they still have the power to move and inspire me after all these years. I'm grateful to have had the opportunity to rediscover this literary gem and look forward to many more readings in the future.

Here are my reviews of the individual books:

First, there is "Justine". It presents a captivating story that draws the reader in from the very beginning. The characters are well-developed, and the plot is full of twists and turns that keep you on the edge of your seat.

Next, "Balthazar" is another interesting read. It offers a unique perspective and a different set of characters that add depth to the overall narrative. The writing style is engaging, making it easy to get lost in the story.

Then, we have "Mountolive". Although the review is still in process, from what I've read so far, it shows great promise. The story seems to be evolving in an exciting way, and I'm looking forward to seeing how it all concludes.

Finally, "Clea" is also in the process of being reviewed. However, based on the initial impressions, it appears to be a book that will keep you hooked until the end. The cover image gives a hint of the mystery and intrigue that lies within the pages.

Overall, these books seem to offer a diverse range of stories and experiences that are sure to appeal to a wide variety of readers.

This book truly reminds me of Moby Dick. It contains some profound and true ideas that have the potential to make one think deeply. However, my God, the reading experience has been a slog. The sentences are constructed in a rather complex manner, filled with long, archaic words. There are clauses, sub-clauses, and even sub-sub-clauses, which make the text seem convoluted and difficult to follow.

I really wanted to enjoy this book, but as we all know, life is short. After getting to around page 100 or so, I found myself too bored to continue. It's a pity because I can sense the value that might be hidden within its pages, but the way it is written has made it a struggle for me to engage with. Maybe with more patience and a different approach, I might be able to appreciate it better in the future.

I really made an effort.

I managed to get through the entirety of the first book and halfway through the second one.

However, the disjointed narrative had a significant impact on me. It left me completely unengaged and uninterested.

As I was reading, I came to the realization that I simply didn't have any concern for any of the self-absorbed characters.

I didn't care in the slightest about what was going to happen to them.

At that particular point in time, I made the decision that continuing to read would be nothing more than a tiresome chore.

It just didn't seem worth the effort anymore, considering how little I was getting out of it.

I felt that there were other books out there that would be more likely to capture my attention and hold my interest from start to finish.

Zeus gets Hera on her back,

but finds that she has lost the knack.

Extenuated by excesses,

she is unable, she confesses.

Nothing daunted Zeus, who wise is,

tries a dozen good disguises.

Eagle, ram, and bull and bear,

quickly answer Hera's prayer.

One knows a God should be prolix,

but... think of all those different ******!

The recent violence against Coptics in Egypt, claimed by many to be the worst the country has seen in at least 300 years, adds a further layer of resonance and relevance to this extraordinary novel.

"Layering" is an appropriate term for Durrell's technique. In an effort to step outside the linear nature of storytelling, he has created a series of re-tellings which work upon each other and re-write each other. His pacing of "reveals" is pitch-perfect and, at times, genuinely thrilling.

Layering also occurs when considering the literary techniques on display. The first novel in the quartet is very much of the turn-of-the-century style, modernist, traditionally told, full of rather naïve exoticisation and riffs on love. But as we move onward and our perspective shifts, the techniques shift too. Hints of the post-modern and the post-colonial shimmer to the surface, and one realises that the quartet as a whole is something much greater than the sum of its parts.

Alexandria at the end of the Empire is a city of many layers. Layers of history, religion, politics, class, and sex are all expertly brought into play.

Criticisms? Well, Durrell does at times allow his language to become overly flowery or "purple." However, as this is mainly the case in the first novel, which is written by one of the characters, it can perhaps be excused. There is also much that a follower of Said would criticise, but for a novel set in the 1930s and written in the 1950-60s, much can be overlooked. Finally, there is far too much gender essentialism for my queered sensibilities, with lots of that "Woman is X" "Man is D" rubbish that sounds lovely and poetic but means very little.

Nevertheless, I suppose the simplest thing to say about this book is that my reading of it was a pleasure from start to finish. It is a bona-fide masterpiece in the old style and often breathtakingly well written.