What are you reading now?

[Bella Kemp]

I'm three thirds through Lawrence Durrell's Alexandria Quartet. The descriptive set pieces are wonderful. The painstaking analysis of sexual relations (particularly in the first part, Justine) bore me. Why can't they just enjoy a bit of slap and tickle?

I was inspired to read it again after reading his account of life on Corfu Prospero's Island. I have just acquired brother Gerald Durrell's account of their life there, My Family and other Animals, which looks an easier a read and far funnier. Although the opening sentence describing a rain swept Bournemouth is almost as rich as brother Larry's prose.

The word "pretentious" kept coming to mind as I read the first two parts of the Quartet.

I adore The Alexandria Quartet, but it's a bit like one of the more obscure Bruckner symphonies - it chugs along and you absorb it almost without thinking, and then there are glorious moments that stop you dead in your tracks and you think Wow!

[Richard Tarleton]

I adore The Alexandria Quartet, but it's a bit like one of the more obscure Bruckner symphonies - it chugs along and you absorb it almost without thinking, and then there are glorious moments that stop you dead in your tracks and you think Wow!

I read it around 40 years ago, was engrossed at the time, but can now remember precisely nothing about it, apart from the description of the barber in Alexandria conjuring up a haircut for [the client's] few remaining wisps of hair. Can't remember who the client was.

I remember a review of "Tunc" in (I think) the Observer - the sound of a heavy volume hitting the floor....

I recently read Douglas Botting's fine biography of Gerald, which includes a lot about other members of the family. Lawrence was more than a bit surprised at his semi-literate younger brother's literary success, but they seem to have had a close relationship.

[Padraig]

Of interest to readers of The Dead by James Joyce:

https://www.irishtimes.com/opinion/l...dead-1.4068361.

Further information:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-50390837

[LMcD]

Patrick Kidd's 'The Weak Are A Long Time In Politics' - a perfect cure for anyone suffering from Br*x*t Blues.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Patrick Kidd's 'The Weak Are A Long Time In Politics' - a perfect cure for anyone suffering from Br*x*t Blues.

- the title alone deserves some kind of award!

[Petrushka]

Goodbye to All That by Robert Graves.

I first read this book very many years ago, aged about 14, so it might well have been a young person's edition as it came out of the school library. His picture of life in the trenches in the First World War along with the many stupidities of the British Army is great writing.

(Another title that deserves an award!)

[Joseph K]

I finished Will by Will Self last night, and what a great enjoyable read it was.

Now: to return to Anna Karenina.

[Don Basilio]

Having finished The Alexandria Quartet and managed a long experimental work, I've picked up Proust again.

In the past I was bored by Swann's jealousy of Odette, so I may skip that bit when it gets bogged down. (I've just reached the ghastly Verdurins so I'll stay with them for a bit.)

[Conchis]

Having finished The Alexandria Quartet and managed a long experimental work, I've picked up Proust again.

In the past I was bored by Swann's jealousy of Odette, so I may skip that bit when it gets bogged down. (I've just reached the ghastly Verdurins so I'll stay with them for a bit.)

Quite a few Proustians on the forum.

It took me five months to read the whole thing a few years ago. The most rewarding reading experience of my life.

[teamsaint]

Eagle eyed newshounds will have spotted that The Book People have gone into administration.

They seem to have kept their trouble under wraps quite well.

[pastoralguy]

Eagle eyed newshounds will have spotted that The Book People have gone into administration.

They seem to have kept their trouble under wraps quite well.

Don't they sell CDs through Amazon and eBay?

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-50825483

[Pulcinella]

Eagle eyed newshounds will have spotted that The Book People have gone into administration.

They seem to have kept their trouble under wraps quite well.

Bang goes next year's jumbo Booker Shortlist set then.
Possibly no great loss!
I bought them this year after a gap, and partly regret doing so: have given up on two of the six.
Given that the Hilary Mantel will probably feature, I'll likely have read that by shortlist announcement time anyway.

[teamsaint]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-50825483

The Works also issued a profit warning recently. Never a good sign, but I suspect that they are a good deal more robust. The Works seem quite light on their feet with regard to store locations, and have an ambitious opening programme.

[teamsaint]

Don't they sell CDs through Amazon and eBay?

I wasn't aware of that. They do/did have a gift section of their business, which I don't think was particularly large scale.

If anybody does happen to be an eagle eyed newshound, please do try to upload a selfie to the forum...........:bigg