Books

First editions, first impressions, of Durrell's enduring masterpiece, a study of love and political intrigue in Alexandria, Egypt, before and during the Second World War. An attractive set in the dust jackets. "The four novels emerged in rapid succession from 1957 to 1960 and elicited wildly divergent but generally favourable reviews, praising or attacking Durrell's luxuriant prose, his highly romantic recreation of Alexandria, and his self-proclaimed use of Einstein. Only with the Quartet sales did Durrell begin to live from his writing" (ODNB). Thomas & Brigmore 27, 29-30, 33. Anthony Burgess, 99 Novels, The Best in English Since 1939, 1984. Four works, octavo. Original variously coloured cloth, spines lettered in gilt on coloured grounds. With dust jackets. Small bookseller's tickets to front pastedowns. A very good set, spine of Balthazar toned, spine of Justine slightly leaning, spine ends lightly bumped, minor rubbing to board edges, light offsetting and foxing to preliminary and end matters, in like unclipped jackets, extremities rubbed, jackets of Justine and Balthazar foxed with spine panels browned and a little chipped at ends, minimal tape repair to their versos, minor marks to other jackets, overall a bright, sharp set.

Mountolive is the third volume of The Alexandria Quartet series by British author Lawrence Durrell. Set in pre-World War II Alexandria, Egypt, Mountolive is part of a sequence of novels that tell a complex story of passion, politics, and betrayal. The series is celebrated for its rich and intricately woven narrative and exploration of modern love.