Balthazar by Lawrence Durrell

Description

“Balthazar” is the second novel in Lawrence Durrell’s “Alexandria Quartet,” a series of four interconnected novels set in Alexandria, Egypt, before and during World War II. Published in 1958, “Balthazar” continues the exploration of themes such as memory, perception, and the subjective nature of truth that Durrell introduced in the first novel, “Justine.” The story is narrated by Darley, a British writer living in Alexandria, and follows his ongoing relationships with Justine, Melissa, and other characters against the backdrop of the city’s cosmopolitan atmosphere. Through intricate prose and multiple perspectives, Durrell creates a rich tapestry of interconnected lives, exploring the complexities of love, desire, and identity in a turbulent and exotic setting.