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The Alexandria Quartet #2

Balthazar

lawrence durrell

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Balthazar, is the second volume of Durrell's The Alexandria Quartet, set in Alexandria, Egypt, during the 1940s. The events of each lush and sensuous novel are seen through the eyes of the central character L.G. Darley, who observes the interactions of his lovers, friends, and acquaintances. Balthazar, named for Darley's friend, a doctor and mystic, interprets Darley's views from a philosophical and intellectual viewpoint.

280 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1,1961
Series
The Alexandria Quartet
Places
alexandria, egypt, 

This edition

Format
280 pages, Mass Market Paperback
Published
February 19, 2002 by Sudamericana
ISBN
9781400000289
ASIN
1400000289
Language
Spanish; Castilian
Characters More characters

More editions

About the author

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lawrence durrell

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Lawrence George Durrell was a critically hailed and beloved novelist, poet, humorist, and travel writer best known for The Alexandria Quartet novels, which were ranked by the Modern Library as among the greatest works of English literature in the twentieth century. A passionate and dedicated writer from an early age, Durrell's prolific career also included the groundbreaking Avignon Quintet, whose first novel, Monsieur (1974), won the James Tait Black Memorial Prize, and whose third novel, Constance (1982), was nominated for the Booker Prize. He also penned the celebrated travel memoir Bitter Lemons of Cyprus (1957), which won the Duff Cooper Prize. Durrell corresponded with author Henry Miller for forty-five years, and Miller influenced much of his early work, including a provocative and controversial novel, The Black Book (1938). Durrell died in France in 1990.

The time Lawrence spent with his family, mother Louisa, siblings Leslie, Margaret Durrell, and Gerald Durrell, on the island of Corfu were the subject of Gerald's memoirs and have been filmed numerous times for TV.

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Community Reviews

Rating(4.2 / 5.0, 100 votes)
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Profile Image for Kimberly .
Jxk
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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I thoroughly enjoyed reading the first volume of this quartet. It was truly a captivating experience that left me eager for more.

However, when it came to the second book in the series, I found myself struggling. There were times when I was rather confused and couldn't quite follow the plot.

The story seemed to be too elusive for me, perhaps requiring a deeper level of understanding or a different perspective.

As a result, I am unlikely to read this particular book again. While I appreciate the effort put into creating it, it simply didn't resonate with me in the same way as the first volume.

Nonetheless, I will still look forward to exploring the remaining volumes in the quartet, hoping to find that same level of enjoyment and engagement that I had with the initial installment.
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Nara-Sama
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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İskenderiye Dörtlüsü continues to amaze me.


When I read many events in Justine and also looked at the notes shared by our narrator Balthazar, I thought 'aaa how is it? Was that event like this?' I got more into the story with Balthazar. Actually, the author's narrative language is not very simple, but it is very beautiful. I also enjoyed reading his long descriptions very much. The sentence that best summarizes the book may be “there are only as many realities as we want to think.” When I look at the events in Justine from here, I subscribe to this sentence.


“But you also know that it is an unchanging law of love that the so-called exactly sought people come either very early or very late.”

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DewDue
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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Justine is a significant part of Durrell's literary works. Building on her story, Balthazar plays an important role in achieving Durrell's literary objective for these four books.

While Balthazar may be slightly less cohesive and neatly bound compared to its predecessor, it still manages to maintain the reader's curiosity about its characters.

It delves deeper into their lives, adding more depth to the overall work.

The new information revealed in Balthazar fills in the gaps and provides a more comprehensive understanding of the story and the characters.

Durrell's writing style in Balthazar is as engaging as ever, drawing the reader in and keeping them hooked until the very end.

Overall, Balthazar is a valuable addition to Durrell's literary collection, contributing to the richness and complexity of his works.
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Sulfurian
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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What is Balthazar? It is indeed impossible to read without first devouring its'sibling' Justine. The whole idea is that Balthazar, a supporting character from that book, reads that book (the narrator Darley's memoirs) and provides an annotation of them from a different perspective.



You might describe this book as a story about character rather than plot, but that would be misleading. The characters are the plot. Their journeys, the changes in motivation and destination, the doubts, fears, and sudden twists of fate, the small moments when their minds realize something previously unknown - these are what drive the books forward.



In some ways, now that I'm used to Durrell's style, I enjoy it more. Outwardly, he may seem pretentious, throwing in some French, Latin, Greek, and expecting you to understand, making discreet references to classic texts or philosophical doctrines in ways that go beyond mere literary allusions. But the truth is, he isn't. Because there is no pretense. This is truly who Durrell is and how he thinks. While one might feel that he wrote this novel specifically for the educated exiles from England of his era, it has a democratic view of people that fits in with the American novels of earlier in the same century.



I can't wait to read Mountolive and Clea now. The richly drawn characters of the first two books now exist in my memory like real people - the loquacious Pombal, the perverted and broken Scobie, the pathetic Melissa, the desperate Narouz, the ethereal (yet somehow earthy) Clea, the feeble Darley, the bitter Pursewarden, the rigid Nessim, the sly Balthazar, the charismatic Mountolive (as yet still relatively underdeveloped), and of course the endlessly fascinating Justine. It is a testament to Durrell's skill that in two relatively slim books, he has not only sketched these vast characters but also the great and nuanced topography of their city, their Alexandria. Brilliant stuff.
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Noura
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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The phrase "mas lindo que el primero" means "more beautiful than the first" in Spanish. It can be used to describe something or someone that is even more attractive or appealing than the initial one.

For example, if you see a second flower that you think is more beautiful than the first one you saw, you could say "Esta flor es mas lindo que el primero."

This expression can also be used in other contexts, such as when comparing two works of art, two buildings, or two people. It emphasizes the superiority or enhanced beauty of the second item in relation to the first.

In conclusion, "mas lindo que el primero" is a simple yet effective way to convey the idea of something being more beautiful or better than the previous one. It allows us to express our appreciation and admiration for the enhanced qualities of the second object or person.
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wakka9ca
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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Iskenderiye Quartet's second book, which I also loved, is about Balthazar...

Darley now lives on a desolate and remote island. Balthazar comes to the island with notes about the events in the first book in his hand. These notes allow us to look at what is described in Justine again with a new and different perspective...

The book reminded me once again how important perception and details play in human life. Seeing, judging, and evaluating events and people from only one point of view, and only measuring ourselves often leads us to make mistakes...

Of course, the main characters are impressive, but in this book, Nessim's mother, Leyla, and his sister, Narouz, attracted my attention the most; their broken and incomplete lives touched my heart...

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MayaLoux
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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This is the second volume of Lawrence Durrell’s “The Alexandria Quartet.” It truly isn't a stand-alone work.

Basically, it retells the story of “Justine” from the perspective of Balthazar. If you haven't read “Justine,” it would hardly make any sense.

The Irish narrator’s name in Justine is now disclosed as Darley. This occurs a few years after the first book. Darley left Alexandria and relocated to a remote Greek island. He has taken custody of a child born to his late lover Melissa after her affair with Justine’s husband Nessim. Justine has gone to Palestine (in the 1930s) and lives on a kibbutz. Nessim has no interest in the child. Darley has written a novel “Justine” and sent it to Balthazar for review. This is that story.

It is indeed fascinating to witness the same characters being understood and interpreted differently depending on the point of view. “Balthazar” elaborates on the events in “Justine” with greater detail. Alexandria is depicted as a pre-WW2 city of entitled European expatriates, Muslim Arabs, Coptic Egyptians, artists, homosexuals, transvestites, and spies. The references to children being used as prostitutes in brothels are extremely disturbing, yet there is no judgment. There is a sense of hedonism coexisting with intolerance. Life seems uglier and more dangerous than in “Justine.” One cross-dressing male character is beaten to death by sailors in a hate crime. Moslem women are circumcised. Disrespect to the Koran may be punished by mutilation. This was published in 1958. It's just disturbing.

Durrell is a master in his use of words and manages to create memorable characters. Nevertheless, there appears to be no joy in their lives. It's just a depressing read. Onward to #3 “Mountolive” nonetheless.
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muks
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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The second piece of the quartet maintains and even surpasses the level of the previous one.

Here, the narration becomes a constant review of the events from several perspectives, delving deeper into some of the characters and introducing new voices.

However, the main character still remains... the city.

The city is not just a backdrop but a living, breathing entity that shapes the lives and fates of those who inhabit it.

It is a place filled with history, secrets, and contradictions, and through the different perspectives presented in the story, we get a more comprehensive and nuanced understanding of its complexity.

The author skillfully weaves together the various storylines and characters, creating a rich and engaging tapestry that keeps the reader hooked from beginning to end.

Overall, the second piece of the quartet is a remarkable achievement that builds on the strengths of the first and sets the stage for what is yet to come.
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