Reviews

The Alexandria Quartet by Lawrence Durrell

rhonaea's review

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4.0

A lengthy and fulsome read, each page packed full. The work of literary genius, but perhaps, I would, of it’s time. I can’t imagine I would have got much from this as a younger reader, it took the life experience to get my head round it.

philosophie's review

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5.0

Even though it took me ages to finish this massive read, the eloquence and the elegancy of the prose blew me away. I absolutely adored the fact that the plot was non linear,at least during the first 3 books, whilst the landscape descriptions were mesmerizing and haunting.
This is definitely an unparallel piece of art, full of philosophical reflections and beautifully written passages about love.

Yes, one day I found myself writing down with trembling fingers the four words (four letters! four faces!) with which every story-teller since the world began has staked his slender claim to the attention of his fellow-men. Words which presage simply the old story of an artist coming of age. I wrote: "Once upon a time…." And I felt as if the whole universe had given me a nudge!

drewsof's review against another edition

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5.0

Simply amazing. Heart-wrenchingly beautiful meditations on love, life, war, everything. The story of a group of people living in Alexandria just before World War II - but its so much more than that. Give yourself a few months and take your time - something I rarely, if ever, do - and soak up this book like a hot bath on a cool night. You will not be disappointed, I promise you.

REVIEWS (specific to the books):

Justine - http://wp.me/sGVzJ-justine
Balthazar - http://wp.me/pGVzJ-g6
Mountolive - http://wp.me/pGVzJ-gb
Clea - http://wp.me/pGVzJ-gg

ingridm's review against another edition

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challenging emotional slow-paced

3.5

philosophie's review against another edition

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5.0

Even though it took me ages to finish this massive read, the eloquence and the elegancy of the prose blew me away. I absolutely adored the fact that the plot was non linear,at least during the first 3 books, whilst the landscape descriptions were mesmerizing and haunting.
This is definitely an unparallel piece of art, full of philosophical reflections and beautifully written passages about love.

Yes, one day I found myself writing down with trembling fingers the four words (four letters! four faces!) with which every story-teller since the world began has staked his slender claim to the attention of his fellow-men. Words which presage simply the old story of an artist coming of age. I wrote: "Once upon a time…." And I felt as if the whole universe had given me a nudge!

avitalgadcykman's review against another edition

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5.0

So far, I read Justine, and Balthazar in the light of Justine. impressive prose, interesting characters.

rawcanenet's review against another edition

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challenging mysterious reflective slow-paced
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Beautify written

festivemanb's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional inspiring reflective fast-paced
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

joannawnyc's review against another edition

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4.0

I do like a novel (or series of novels) that examines a situation from all sides and makes each viewpoint seem plausible, and The Alexandria Quartet is a stunner of an example. Plus the setting in the middle east of the 30s only improves things.

darwin8u's review against another edition

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5.0

Here are my review of the individual books:

description

1. Justine
2. Balthazar
3. Mountolive*
4. Clea*

* Reviews in process