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.

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.”

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.

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.

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.

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...

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.

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.

Alexandria is a place that holds a certain allure. It has a rich history and a unique charm that attracts people from all over the world. The ancient city was once a center of learning and culture, and its influence can still be felt today.

  "A única maneira de permanecermos fiéis ao tempo — escreve Baltasar — consiste em intercalar as realidades, porque em cada ponto do Tempo as possibilidades são infinitas na sua multiplicidade. Viver é escolher. Reservar perpetuamente o nosso juízo, escolher perpetuamente."

This quote by Baltasar emphasizes the importance of choosing and reserving our judgment. In a place like Alexandria, there are countless possibilities and realities to explore. We must be open to new experiences and make choices that will shape our journey.

The image of Alexandria, with its beautiful architecture and bustling streets, evokes a sense of wonder and excitement. It makes us want to delve deeper into its history and discover the stories that lie within its walls.

Whether we are visiting Alexandria for the first time or returning for another adventure, we can always find something new and exciting to explore. It is a place that invites us to choose, to learn, and to grow.

This was an amazing book. It truly had the potential to be an effortless 5/5 read. However, it faced the intimidating task of living up to its predecessor, Justine. While I did have a greater fondness for Justine, it is essential to give credit where it is due. The creativity demonstrated in this book is remarkable. It manages to turn everything that occurred in Justine on its head, yet without nullifying what had been done before.

Either way, I am certain that my entire experience of reading Justine has been irrevocably altered by the new information presented in this book. Nevertheless, I really, really enjoyed reading it and found myself breezing through the pages. There are numerous other books on my shelf that I渴望 to read. But I don't want to disrupt the rhythm of this quartet. So, Mountolive might very well be the next one on my reading list.

I also want to mention that I am truly glad that we were able to gain more insights into the character of Nessim in this book. Although he still remains as mysterious as ever. Additionally, I liked the new aspect of Pursewarden that was revealed here. It completely contradicted the way I had perceived him while reading Justine.

Overall, this book has been a captivating read and has left me eager to continue with the rest of the quartet.

3.5 stars. What a surprise - the second quarter part is much more exciting than the first, although in this annotation, the philosophy is emphasized.

"Baltazar" is full of mysteries. Some are revealed, there are several characters, and the events of the first part appear in a different light. Fascinating! I give it just under 4 stars with the hope that the next part is even better.

This book takes the reader on a journey filled with unexpected twists and turns. The first part sets the stage, introducing the characters and the initial situation. However, it is in the second quarter that the story truly comes alive. The mysteries start to unfold, and the reader is left on the edge of their seat, eager to discover what will happen next.

The author has done a great job of creating a complex and engaging world. The characters are well-developed, each with their own motives and secrets. The plot is tightly woven, and every detail seems to have a purpose. Overall, "Baltazar" is a great read that keeps you hooked from start to finish.

This book is set in the early modern period, which lies between the World Wars. During this time, cars and telephones were still considered novelties. It was also a time when people would cover their lovers with numerous vampire-like, weasel-sized kisses. It was a long-lost and forbidden era, a "Classical" age that will never come back. Lawrence Durrell manages to quite successfully capture the pre-Freudian sexual liberation of a European mind when it confronts the ancient erotic lifestyles of the far East.

I would suspect that if Lawrence Durrell were alive today, he would think that many of today's journalists and literary figures are misled into believing that the classical period we know best is in the present. Sadly, trying to restore the classical era by imitating our current scientific cosmology actually goes against the purpose of postmodern literature. In my view, the purpose of literature today is to present the personality crisis of a human subject whose being has been erased. While the remnants of philosophy in a Lawrence Durrell or a Henry Miller seem to leave us clutching at straws, our current literary scene demands a writer whose thinking shows a more in-depth Marxist understanding of the world situation. Two stars.