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, presented here in sumptuous bindings by the Chelsea Bindery. "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 vols, octavo. Finely bound by the Chelsea Bindery in red, blue, yellow and red morocco respectively after the design of the original cloth bindings, titles to spines gilt on contrasting coloured labels, plain blue endpapers, twin rule to turn-ins, all edges gilt. Housed in a red leather entry slipcase. A fine 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.