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Lawrence Durrell
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Justine (Spanish Edition) Kindle Edition

Spanish Edition by Lawrence Durrell (Author), Aurora Bernardez (Translator) Format: Kindle Edition
4.1 4.1 out of 5 stars 366 ratings
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Justine, arranque del monumental Cuarteto de Alejandría y quizá la mejor novela jamás escrita de Lawrence Durrell, es sin duda la más invluyente de sus obras y ha dejado una huella indeleble en varias generaciones de lectores. Situada en la Alejandría cosmopolita y sensual de los momentos previos a la segunda guerra mundial y centrada en un personaje cuya búsqueda del placer constituye un método e aprendizaje, ofrece al lector una experiencia como pocos libros pueden proporcionarle.

La Alejandría de Durrell, donde la realidad y el sueño se funden, se ofrece como una ciudad de precisa belleza, comparable a la Roma de Hawthorne o al Paris de Proust.

Aquí asistimos a la belleza con que Darley, el narrador, refiere la historia de su pasión hacia la enigmática Justine, centro de unos amores cruzados. El desenlace, con una misteriosa muerte, es en realidad un final abierto que sólo cobra todo su sentido tras la lectura del resto del Cuarteto ("Balthazar", "Mountolive" y "Clea").

Un turbador relato en el que la inteligencia, la perspicaz observación del ser humano y la riqueza narraativa adquieren un protagonismo absoluto.

Esta monumental obra se encuentra disponible en tapa dura en nuestra colección Edhasa Literaria y se vende tanto individualmente como la obra completa en un estuche que incluye los cuatro volúmenes de la obra, El cuarteto de Alejandría. Así mismo también está disponible en bolsillo en nuestra colección Pocket Edhasa, tanto en volúmenes individuales como en estuche.

De esta novela han dicho:

"No creo que se pueda escribir una prosa más lúcida en inglés" HENRY MILLER

"Una de las obras más fascinantes jamás escritas" TERENCI MOIX
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  1. Book 1 of 4
    The Alexandria Quartet
  2. Print length
    270 pages
  3. Language
    Spanish
  4. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  5. Publisher
    Edhasa
  6. Publication date
    October 20, 2021
  7. File size
    826 KB
  8. Page Flip
    Enabled
  9. Word Wise
    Not Enabled
  10. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
  11. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

“Durrell makes Alexandria seem a glitteringly sophisticated, dazzlingly beautiful, and suffocatingly evil place. . . . The final effect is one of unity and great strength. A brilliant novel.” —Newsweek  “Here is a very remarkable novel: deeper in thought, more intricate in design, more distinguishable in style than most . . . Justine is altogether worth our delighted and admiring attention.” —New York Herald Tribune Book Review  

About the Author

Born in Jalandhar, British India, in 1912 to Indian-born British colonials, Lawrence Durrell was a critically hailed and beloved novelist, poet, humorist, and travel writer best known for the Alexandria Quartet novels, which were ranked by the Modern Library as among the greatest works of English literature in the twentieth century. A passionate and dedicated writer from an early age, Durrell’s prolific career also included the groundbreaking Avignon Quintet, whose first novel, Monsieur (1974), won the James Tait Black Memorial Prize, and whose third novel, Constance (1982), was nominated for the Booker Prize. He also penned the celebrated travel memoir Bitter Lemons of Cyprus (1957), which won the Duff Cooper Prize. Durrell corresponded with author Henry Miller for forty-five years, and Miller influenced much of his early work, including a provocative and controversial novel, The Black Book (1938). Durrell died in France in 1990.  

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B09JSVGWV8
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Edhasa (October 20, 2021)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ October 20, 2021
  • Language ‏ : ‎ Spanish
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 826 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 270 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.1 4.1 out of 5 stars 366 ratings

About the author

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Lawrence Durrell

Lawrence Durrell

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Born in Jalandhar, British India, in 1912 to Indian-born British colonials, Lawrence Durrell was a critically hailed and beloved novelist, poet, humorist, and travel writer best known for the Alexandria Quartet novels, which were ranked by the Modern Library as among the greatest works of English literature in the twentieth century. A passionate and dedicated writer from an early age, Durrell’s prolific career also included the groundbreaking Avignon Quintet, whose first novel, Monsieur (1974), won the James Tait Black Memorial Prize, and whose third novel, Constance (1982), was nominated for the Booker Prize. He also penned the celebrated travel memoir Bitter Lemons of Cyprus (1957), which won the Duff Cooper Prize. Durrell corresponded with author Henry Miller for forty-five years, and Miller influenced much of his early work, including a provocative and controversial novel, The Black Book (1938). Durrell died in France in 1990.

Customer reviews

4.1 out of 5 stars
366 global ratings

Customers say

Customers find the book lushly beautiful, elegant, and dazzling. They say it's worth reading and entertaining. Readers describe the narrative style as flashbacks, contemporary action, and interesting twists. However, some find the story boring and pretentious. Opinions are mixed on the writing quality, with some finding it lush and well-written, while others say it rambles and is of little worth.

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BeautyValue for moneyNarrative styleRomanceWriting qualityBoredom
8 customers mention "Beauty"8 positive0 negative

Customers find the book lushly beautiful, with beautifully done structure and images. They also appreciate the elegant writing, lyrical passages, and beautiful descriptive paragraphs.

"...JUSTINE is pretty dazzling. I’m eager to find out whether Durrell can sustain this level of writing. Five stars." Read more

"...The structure and images are beautifully done...." Read more

"...and semi lucid description of the hunting party is a small jewel of elegant writing. I can't wait to re read Balthazar. Justine Hayward" Read more

"...in flashbacks, contemporary action, lyrical passages, and beautiful descriptive paragraphs." Read more

7 customers mention "Value for money"7 positive0 negative

Customers find the book worth reading and entertaining. They mention it's popular among the generation just older than theirs.

"...It was a very popular book among the generation just older than mine, but by the time I came along Durrell was a bit passé and the new..." Read more

"...They are truly addictive reading." Read more

"...It is definitely worth the time it takes to read it and attempt to decipher it's structure...." Read more

"...Sensual, sexual, devious. Really, just a wonderful read. Poses a bevy of interesting philosophical and religious questions...." Read more

4 customers mention "Narrative style"4 positive0 negative

Customers find the narrative style interesting. They say the story unfolds in flashbacks, contemporary action, and lyrical passages. Readers also mention the first person narrative is both vague and precise. They also say the book is a great story of Alexandria and Egypt.

"...The first person narrative is both vague and precise, meandering in time and sentiment while etching certain scenes in marble...." Read more

"I had forgotten how well written this was. The story unfolds in flashbacks, contemporary action, lyrical passages, and beautiful descriptive..." Read more

"Some interesting twists in the story." Read more

"Great story of Alexandria and Egypt...." Read more

3 customers mention "Romance"3 positive0 negative

Customers find the romance in the book great, effective, and not merely sentimental. They also appreciate the hauntingly descriptive gifts.

"...Every page is saturated with Durrell's hauntingly descriptive gifts. The prose is lush and the voice is distant, distinct, but far away...." Read more

"This a great book written in a romantic era...." Read more

"...picked up anywhere, but the writing also is very effective and not merely sentimental and dated sexually." Read more

25 customers mention "Writing quality"15 positive10 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the writing quality of the book. Some mention the prose is lush, while others say it's rambling and repetitive.

"...The author demonstrates a keen observation of human psychology, and there's no one in this cast of characters that doesn't have petty moments,..." Read more

"Extremely we'll written, but too slow and repetitious." Read more

"I was not impressed. A rambling narrative of little worth." Read more

"...Both books are old fashioned writerly books, filled with passages just to show the author's writing chops...." Read more

4 customers mention "Boredom"0 positive4 negative

Customers find the book boring, pretentious, and depressing. They also say it's not for modern readers, with too much fluff.

"...This may have been considered great writing 50 years ago but to me it was boring, difficult to follow and rather pretentious...." Read more

"...leitmotif that runs through Lawrence Durrell's oeuvre that is tremendously depressing...." Read more

"...Hard to follow the story. Boring and pretentious. At least I did it." Read more

"Not for modern readers. Too much fluff." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

Maureen
5.0 out of 5 stars It’s a book, you can read it. What else do you need to know?
Reviewed in the United States on July 27, 2024
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It arrived on time and in good condition.
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OKen
4.0 out of 5 stars great classic still seems unassailable, even with flaws
Reviewed in the United States on January 16, 2024
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I first read this book before going over to Alexandria as an exchange student in 1976, which is, of course practically half a century ago. The quartet at that time was hailed as singular, certainly a classic not only about life in Egypt at a certain time, but about Life at any time. In the decades since, several Egyptians have related that Durrell's work is still in their constellation of great books on Egypt, even if many of them are irritated that it wasn't written by an Egyptian. ("The Education of an Alexandrian," for example, was written precisely to give the quartet some competition--but it didn't give it much competition.)
The literacy of this novel, including as it does poetry from Cavafy, thoughts on Plotinus and on other ancient classics, also has the advantage that it takes the city of Alexandria itself as one of the main characters of the tale---perhaps it is the main character. Many writers have tried to copy this formula, usually without comparable success.
There can also be criticisms, of course. Durrell consistently sees the inhabitants in terms of "colors"--or race if you will. These people are "brown," these are "black." Without any of those characterizations being correct. But he employs such terms. Some readers have pointed out, "Well, not a lot actually happens in these four books." But again, it is the vision of the city which is the main event.
The author demonstrates a keen observation of human psychology, and there's no one in this cast of characters that doesn't have petty moments, makes misguided decisions, or expounds questionable philosophies. But that is part of the charm of the characters.
My usual quick note to readers of this quartet is, if you don't have all the time in the world, just read "Justine," and "Clea." The two books in the middle are not as good. There was also a movie made of "Justine," with Dirk Bogarde, which was godawful; don't even bother looking for that. There are too many poetic and lyrical descriptions to somehow make it into a movie.
For those who have actually lived in Egypt or the city of Alexandria, the books indicate a clear and gratifying knowledge of famous landmarks and the neighborhoods. This is unheard of in books about Egypt, except perhaps those by Mahfouz.
I'm rereading "Justine" after a 45-year gap. It's still impressive.
Enjoy!
One person found this helpful
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krebsman
5.0 out of 5 stars Challenging at times, but worth it
Reviewed in the United States on September 4, 2016
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I’ve been hearing about The Alexandria Quartet ever since I was a teenager in the 60s. When it was published in the late 1950s it was immediately hailed as a great intellectual achievement. It was a very popular book among the generation just older than mine, but by the time I came along Durrell was a bit passé and the new intellectual darlings were the freewheeling satirists Joseph Heller and Terry Southern. However, THE ALEXANDRIA QUARTET always had a devoted following and has never been out-of-print. Jan Morris, in this edition’s superb introduction, opines that it is unlikely to ever be. I don’t think I could state anything here that could be more helpful than Morris’s Introduction. She praises the book, but also warns the reader that Durrell can be outrageously pretentious at times. (She hits the nail on the head when she writes about Durrell’s flashily arcane vocabulary.)

I had difficulty getting into the book, but I kept reading. I’m glad I did. It seems at first to be a lot of poetic stream-of-conscious meanderings, but gradually the pieces start to fit together and the reader sees how the characters are interrelated. Most of what happens is beneath the surface, with characters trying figure out what the other characters are thinking; there are few real events in the novel, and the major ones take place offstage.

I was reluctant to begin a multi-volume work. This one is different. JUSTINE easily stands alone. It is complete within itself. I never had the feeling that it was a “prequel.” According to Lawrence’s introduction of the second volume, of the four books, only the last volume CLEA is a sequel. He compares the first three volumes to siblings, rather than sequels. The first three all deal with the same characters at the same time, but are told from different points of view. JUSTINE is pretty dazzling. I’m eager to find out whether Durrell can sustain this level of writing. Five stars.
10 people found this helpful
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E T A
3.0 out of 5 stars Three Stars
Reviewed in the United States on August 18, 2014
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Extremely we'll written, but too slow and repetitious.
2 people found this helpful
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pwl
5.0 out of 5 stars the go-to on the allstar team
Reviewed in the United States on December 13, 2004
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If the Alexandria Quartet was an allstar team (as i think it certainly should be, put it against any series of stories, bible included:)) then Justine would have to be the superstar. Balthazar and Mountolive, solid role players, stars in their ownright, but still fall in the shadow of their older sister. Now I've heard talk that Clea is really the true star, and I really want to agree - however Justine started it all and somehow holds a slight edge over Clea, which doesn't mean that Clea gives any quarter to any book - she just came happened to come second.

I was surprised to see 1 and 2 star reviews. I'd suggest to these people to read it again. All four together form this incredible little space in a world far away - characters so enjoyable and delightful - a city and culture so different yet completely understandable. Justine starts is all off and if you commit totally during those first few pages, the rest will be one of the most satisfying reads you've had the pleasure of.

The premise of Justine could be seen a simple. It's about love and how much pain it can cause. Alone Justine would be a simply stunning book, but leading off for 4 makes it a true revelation. There is pain and joy in this book at anyone can relate to, in fact embrace, and once you get there, the book is difficult to put down.

Lawrence Durrell doesn't miss a word, doesn't blink an eye, planting surprises in each corner of his mysterious Alexandria. Reading this book one can't help but think of another way to live, in another place, with all the secrets that hide in the eyes of everyone you see.

Justine is a great book. Sometimes it takes a little effort to get the prize.
16 people found this helpful
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Robert L. Heinrichs
2.0 out of 5 stars Two Stars
Reviewed in the United States on August 9, 2014
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I was not impressed. A rambling narrative of little worth.
4 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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Eric Hamel
5.0 out of 5 stars Great bang for your $
Reviewed in Canada on October 8, 2021
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Great service quick shipping and excellent condition
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Fennec
5.0 out of 5 stars Un roman envoutant (les 4 tomes)
Reviewed in France on August 15, 2017
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Alexandrie dans les années trente, des personnages que l'on voit vivre et dont on découvre qu'ils échappent à tout jugement, la politique occidentale représentée par l'Angleterre opposée au réveil de l'Egypte, la montée de l'Islam opposée aux Coptes, etc. Tout cela est exprimée dans une écriture foisonnante où se régalent les métaphores. Les longues descriptions font vivre ce qui est exprimé.
2 people found this helpful
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Ahmet Emrah AKARKARASU
5.0 out of 5 stars Atrevido
Reviewed in Spain on December 14, 2013
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Muy buena lenguaje, por lo tanto podéis acabarlo en 2 días. Y además es un poco atrevido para su momento.
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Kim
5.0 out of 5 stars Incomprehensible but Erotic
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 26, 2011
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I've just finished reading this book for the first time. As a middlebrow I realised early on that there was no point wondering exactly what Durrell meant - just read on, otherwise one would never get through it. The book is aimed at far more intelligent and cultured people than myself. (It would be nice if there were an annotated "For Dummies" edition - but perhaps it would be impossibly long. I'd probably buy it though.) What I got out of this primarily was the depiction of Justine as a woman who inspires spiritual love. It reminds me of the pre-Raphaelites who are generally denounced as pornographers nowadays. It's surprising to me that Durrell is not denounced similarly. Certainly the Justine character is hyper-erotic. Perhaps the characters in the story are mythical rather than realistically human. Anyway I've ordered Vol 2 - "Balthazar".
24 people found this helpful
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Mrs. G. Bulcock
4.0 out of 5 stars Four Stars
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 6, 2016
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A bit too heavy going - excellent use of language.
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