Justine

The Alexandria Quartet, Book 1

By: Lawrence Durrell

Narrated by: Nicholas Boulton

Justine is the first volume in the Alexandria Quartet, four interlinked novels set in the sensuous, hot environment of Alexandria just before the Second World War. Within this polyglot setting of richly idiosyncratic characters is Justine, wild and intense, wife to the wealthy businessman Nessim, a Mari complaisant. Her emotional and sexual wildness fuels a highly charged atmosphere that, caught famously by Durrell’s poetic language, made Justine (1957), and the three novels that complete the Quartet - Balthazar (1958), Mountolive (1958), and Clea (1960) - both a critical and a popular success.

©1957 Lawrence Durrell (P)2021 Naxos AudioBooks UK Ltd.

Such a subtle reading of human relationships!

Alexandria is both the background and the real hero of the story. Each character is a world in themselves. Beautifully written but you have to stay focused in the first two parts to understand who is who.

Too highly regarded by critics?

I am unsure, after reading/listening, why this book (and series) is considered a classic. Is there a great metaphor within the story? I don’t think so.

Magnificent Fiction!

This book is beautifully written and narrated. The prose is rich and full of body. I absolutely love it!!

Dark writing

Very Oppressive, it relates a story about Justine. Justine has a very dark past. It is not particularly engrossing. Definitely not enjoyable. I do not find the character(s) intriguing.

Doesn’t hold up

Flowery pretentious. I couldn’t care about the characters. I liked it once, like a first girlfriend whose charms have long since faded. .