The Alexandria Quartet: Justine, Balthazar, Mountolive, Clea

Rediscover one of the twentieth century's greatest romances
Lawrence Durrell's seductive tale of four tangled lovers in wartime Egypt is described as 'stunning' (André Aciman) and 'wonderful' (Elif Shafak).

Alexandria, Egypt

Trams, palm trees, and watermelon stalls lie honey-bathed in sunlight; in darkened bedrooms, sweaty lovers unfurl. But in a world trembling on the brink of the Second World War, passion and death are inextricable.

When Darley, a penniless schoolteacher, begins an affair with Justine—a married Egyptian woman of unparalleled glamour—their partners, Melissa and Nessim, are sucked into a whirlpool of jealousy and violence.

A Modern Love Masterpiece

One of the twentieth century's greatest romances, Lawrence Durrell's scandalous 'investigation of modern love' set the world alight in 1957. Rich in political and sexual intrigue, this epic masterpiece burns just as brightly today.

Introduced by Jan Morris, this omnibus edition collects all four novels together in all their glory: Justine, Balthazar, Mountolive, and Clea.

What Readers Are Saying

Justine (Book 1):

• 'Sometimes you discover a new author and know you're going to be friends for life ... One of the most beautiful books I've ever read.'
• 'I absolutely adored this book ... I felt sucked into it with an amazing force by the beauty of the words ... The backdrop of 1930s Egypt's literary circles and bohemian relationships is mesmerising ... Breathtaking.'
• 'Shimmering and dreamlike ... One of the most beautifully written books I've read ... All of life is here; can't wait for the next one.'
• 'Lush, brutal, beautiful ... Durrell captured a place and time that will never exist again.'
• 'What makes this novel truly spectacular is the language, the episodic jumps in time, the lush lyricism, and how Durrell so deftly manages to tie this all into both the city of Alexandria and the themes of passion, love, and jealousy.'

Critical Acclaim

• 'A masterpiece.' — Guardian
• 'A formidable, glittering achievement.' — TLS
• 'One of the great works of English fiction.' — Times
• 'Dazzlingly exuberant ... Superb.' — Observer
• 'Brave and brazen ... Lush and grandiose.' — Independent
• 'Legendary ... Casts a spell ... Reader, watch out!' — Guardian
• 'Lushly beautiful ... One of the most important works of our time.' — NYTBR