Justine
Now reissued by Faber & Faber in four beautifully-designed individual volumes, Lawrence Durrell's magnificent tetralogy begins with Justine, originally published in 1957. Here Durrell establishes the unforgettable world of Alexandria and first introduces us to some of the cast whose stories went on to form one of the twentieth centuries most enduring masterpieces. This is followed by Balthazar and Mountolive (both from 1958) and concludes with Clea, written in 1960.
Synopsis
Rediscover one of the twentieth century's greatest romances: a seductive tale of four tangled lovers in wartime Egypt, introduced by Andre Aciman
Walking slowly home through the dark avenue of trees, tasting the brackish harbour wind, I remembered Justine saying harshly as she lay in bed: 'We use each other like axes to cut down the ones we really love.
Alexandria: the great winepress of love. Trams, palm trees, and watermelon stalls lie honey-bathed in sunlight; in darkened bedrooms, sweaty lovers unfurl. But in a world trembling on the brink of war, passion and death are inextricable. When a penniless Anglo-Irish schoolteacher begins an affair with Justine - a married Egyptian lady of unparalleled glamour - their partners, Melissa and Nessim, are sucked into a whirlpool of jealousy and violence.
One of the twentieth century's greatest romances, rich in political and sexual intrigue, Lawrence Durrell's scandalous 'investigation of modern love' set the world alight in 1957 and - as Andre Aciman reveals - it burns just as brightly today.
Publisher information
- Publisher: Faber & Faber
- ISBN: 9780571356065
- Number of pages: 304
- Dimensions: 195 x 130 x 25 mm
- Weight: 50g
- Languages: English
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