Alexandria between the wars was a place that Durrell brought to life in the most vivid and enchanting way.

I firmly believe that there will never be a writer as sensual, lyrical, and painterly as Durrell. His portrayal of the society in Alexandria, Egypt, was nothing short of exquisite. It was a labyrinthine, incestuous, brilliant, and tangled web of relationships and emotions.

Just a single page of his work contains more beauty and artistry than the entire New York Times Bestseller list combined. The four interwoven masterpieces that he created are truly a work of genius.

If given the opportunity to write any book, I have no doubt that I would choose to write something as magnificent and captivating as these. They are a testament to Durrell's talent and his ability to transport readers to a world that is both strange and wonderful.

I have just finished reading "Justine" - the first novel. The language used in this book is truly a star. It is hypnotic, insightful, poetic, abstracted, stupefying, and sublime. In fact, it is ridiculously overwritten 73% of the time, with two similes packed into a metaphorical sentence and so on. It really struck me as being exactly the sort of supreme Euro literary tradition that Knausgaard wanted to break away from. The characters in the novel are clear, although they all seem to be caught in the Alexandrine amber of the language. The story is sexy and subtly sensationalist. Not much happens in the present, but there are really dramatic events in the past. At times, it can be soporific, but it is always worth a slow and careful reading. I plan to read "Balthazar," the second novel, later this summer. Right now, I need to read something a little lighter, something in which every image is not so highly modified and significant.

Το είχα ξαναπιάσει πριν από 2 χρόνια - το 2017. Δεν ήμουν έτοιμος τότε. Αυτό το έργο έχει το δυναμικό να δημιουργήσει εμπόδια γύρω του και να προκαλέσει περιέργεια. Το ξαναέπιασα φέτος. Ήταν ένα καλοκαιρινό ανάγνωσμα διακοπών. Γύρισα από τις διακοπές στο νησί, αλλά το ταξίδι συνεχίστηκε για λίγες εβδομάδες ακόμη - στη χώρα του Νείλου.

Είναι πραγματικά ένα αριστούργημα! Είναι πολύπλοκο και πυκνό, με μια ποικιλία από ιδέες που τον καθιστούν ενδιαφέροντα. Η ουσία και η επιφάνεια ανταγωνίζονται μεταξύ τους, κάνοντας την ανάγνωση μια προσπάθεια για να δούμε ποια θα μας τραβήξει περισσότερο την προσοχή.

Υπάρχουν τέσσερα βιβλία (Τζαστίν, Μπαλτάζαρ, Μάουντολιβ, Κλέα) που όλα μιλούν για τον Περσγουόρντεν, τον κεντρικό ήρωα, γύρω από τον οποίο αναπτύσσεται η ιστορία. Και μόνο για τη γνωριμία με την Τζαστίν και τον ψυχισμό της αξίζει να διαβαστεί. Όσοι έχουν προβλήματα με τον αρχέγονο τύπο της «μοιραίας γυναίκας» θα βρουν εδώ όλες τις απαντήσεις.

Είναι μια αναγνωστική εμπειρία που θα μείνει στη μνήμη, αν καταφέρουμε να διανύσουμε την απόσταση που μας χωρίζει από τους ήρωες και να τους συναντήσουμε στη μέση της διαδρομής. Δεν θέλω να πω περισσότερες λεπτομέρειες, γιατί αυτό θα σβήσει την απογοήτευση.

From the Frontspiece: Durrell's wartime sojourn in Egypt led to this masterpiece which he completed in Southern France, where he settled permanently in 1957.

#1 Justine 4*

  Lawrence Durrell's Alexandria villa faces demolition

Lawrence Durrell's time during the war in Egypt was a significant period that ultimately gave birth to a masterpiece. He completed this work in Southern France, where he made a permanent home in 1957. The book Justine, which is rated 4 stars, is part of his notable works. Alongside this, there is a concerning situation regarding Durrell's Alexandria villa. It is facing the threat of demolition. The image provided gives a visual of what might be lost. The link takes readers to an article that further details this alarming development. This villa holds great significance not only for its connection to the renowned author but also as a potential piece of literary history. The fate of this villa remains uncertain, and it has caught the attention of many who are interested in Durrell's life and works.