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sub_dividedI decided to finish Clea (final book in Lawrence Durrell's Alexandria Quartet) instead of Anathem. Hard to discuss this series without giving away key plot points but I will try.
Justine: See previous post.
Balthazar: The author of Justine is living in self-exile on a small Greek island. One day he's visited by a friend from Alexandria who brings the manuscript of his first book - that is, Justine - only the friend has made notes in the margins correcting misinterpretations and (partially) clarifying events. Also critiquing style - most of all he complains that the author (whose name is Darley) has been taking himself too seriously! He has overlooked the basic absurdity of the human condition! So Darley sets out to rewrite Justine in light of this new information. The resulting book, Balthazar, is easier to read mainly because Darley, humbled, develops a sense of humor.
Or as I told bell:
Mountolive: The only book in the series written in third-person. It's with this book that you realize, if you hadn't before, that Lawrence Durrell can write very precisely when he wants to - the literary allusions, dense metaphors, andpretension atmospheric lyricism of the first two books were an aesthetic choice. Most of it is from the point of view of David Mountolive, a British diplomat who's likable, good-looking, intelligent, correct and...that's about it. XD; He does his job faultlessly but doesn't seem to have any outside interests or hobbies. Which probably explains why he falls for two women (first one, then the other) with extraordinarily rich inner lives...but I'll step away from the spoilers, XD.
Because the series shifts to focus on characters with actual power in the colonial administration, this is the book where you finally learn everyone's day jobs. It's also the book where you finally learn the exact nature of the glue that binds Justine and Nessim together. The truth is stranger, and more powerful, than anything I'd imagined. Gave me goosebumps. This was probably my favorite book because I really love political intrigue. (And mysticism.)
Darley's complaints about Alexandria (that its inhabitants are dirty, poor, venal, and frequently insane) morph into "impartial" observations on the corruption and depravity of Egyptian governmental officials. But at least there's a little bit more context this time! orz.
Clea: This is set after the first three books, and during the Second World War. All of the characters have come into their own, more or less, and Darley and Clea decide that they have "outgrown" Justine. (Which made me feel a bit sorry for her.) A long discussion of writing followed by a romantic interlude followed by a series of shocking events. The ending points to future adventures for the characters that are fun to imagine. Beautiful writing. I don't want to analyze this book, I want to sit here and quote from it. XD; WHICH IS PROBABLY THE CORRECT RESPONSE TO THESE BOOKS ANYWAY. Bell got some good ones in her posts a few months ago.
Other commentary:
Charmian (no spoilers), Charmian (spoilers)
Someone who's read these books and remembers them, please come discuss the characters with me! Darley, Justine, Clea, Melissa, Nessim, Narouz, Scobie, Balthazar, Pursewarden, Liza, Mountolive, Leila, Da Capo and Pombal are the ones I really remember, though Telford and Maskelyne made an impression as well.
EDIT: spoilers in comments. terrible ones! don't look.
Justine: See previous post.
Balthazar: The author of Justine is living in self-exile on a small Greek island. One day he's visited by a friend from Alexandria who brings the manuscript of his first book - that is, Justine - only the friend has made notes in the margins correcting misinterpretations and (partially) clarifying events. Also critiquing style - most of all he complains that the author (whose name is Darley) has been taking himself too seriously! He has overlooked the basic absurdity of the human condition! So Darley sets out to rewrite Justine in light of this new information. The resulting book, Balthazar, is easier to read mainly because Darley, humbled, develops a sense of humor.
Or as I told bell:
Balthazar is much funnier than Justine. With Justine it's like, THIS IS A SERIOUS NOVEL AND IT WILL ALL END IN TRAGEDY, whereas in Balthazar there were some sections that had me literally rolling on the floor. (Crossdressing is always funny!!!) It's almost like the author's friends read the manuscript of his first book and told him that he needed to lighten up, XD.
What else. Clea's story had the most emotional resonance for me. Nessim becomes more interesting the more you learn about him. Charmian knows my thoughts on Pursewarden, which are spoilery, besides.
Mountolive: The only book in the series written in third-person. It's with this book that you realize, if you hadn't before, that Lawrence Durrell can write very precisely when he wants to - the literary allusions, dense metaphors, and
Because the series shifts to focus on characters with actual power in the colonial administration, this is the book where you finally learn everyone's day jobs. It's also the book where you finally learn the exact nature of the glue that binds Justine and Nessim together. The truth is stranger, and more powerful, than anything I'd imagined. Gave me goosebumps. This was probably my favorite book because I really love political intrigue. (And mysticism.)
Darley's complaints about Alexandria (that its inhabitants are dirty, poor, venal, and frequently insane) morph into "impartial" observations on the corruption and depravity of Egyptian governmental officials. But at least there's a little bit more context this time! orz.
Clea: This is set after the first three books, and during the Second World War. All of the characters have come into their own, more or less, and Darley and Clea decide that they have "outgrown" Justine. (Which made me feel a bit sorry for her.) A long discussion of writing followed by a romantic interlude followed by a series of shocking events. The ending points to future adventures for the characters that are fun to imagine. Beautiful writing. I don't want to analyze this book, I want to sit here and quote from it. XD; WHICH IS PROBABLY THE CORRECT RESPONSE TO THESE BOOKS ANYWAY. Bell got some good ones in her posts a few months ago.
Other commentary:
Charmian (no spoilers), Charmian (spoilers)
Someone who's read these books and remembers them, please come discuss the characters with me! Darley, Justine, Clea, Melissa, Nessim, Narouz, Scobie, Balthazar, Pursewarden, Liza, Mountolive, Leila, Da Capo and Pombal are the ones I really remember, though Telford and Maskelyne made an impression as well.
EDIT: spoilers in comments. terrible ones! don't look.