Justine by Lawrence Durrell. Summary of the book.

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Justine by Lawrence Durrell: Summary of the Book

Justine is a novel written by Lawrence Durrell and published in 1957. The story is set in Alexandria, Egypt and follows the lives of its protagonist, Justine, and her circle of friends. It is the first novel in the Alexandria Quartet, a series of four novels that explore the relationships between its characters and the city of Alexandria.

The novel is widely acclaimed for its vivid descriptions of the city and its characters. It is also praised for its exploration of the theme of love, both in its romantic and platonic forms. Justine is a complex and deeply emotional story that deals with themes of longing, regret, and guilt.

Plot Summary: Justine is the story of a group of people living in Alexandria, Egypt, in the late 1940s. The novel opens on the day of the wedding of Justine, a beautiful young woman from a wealthy family, and her fiancé, Darley. Justine is in love with Nessim, a wealthy Jewish man, but is forced to marry Darley due to her family’s insistence.

The novel follows the intertwining lives and relationships of Justine, Nessim, and their circle of friends and family. As the story progresses, Justine’s marriage to Darley begins to unravel, and her love for Nessim grows. The novel explores the consequences of forbidden love, and the inner turmoil of its characters. It also examines the fragile nature of the city of Alexandria, which is in a state of decline due to political and economic unrest.

Themes: The main themes of Justine are love, longing, regret, and guilt. The novel examines the consequences of forbidden love and the inner turmoil of its characters. It also explores the idea of love in its various forms, from romantic love to platonic love. The novel also explores the idea of loss, as the characters struggle to come to terms with the city’s decline.

Interesting Facts:

  • Justine was the first novel in Lawrence Durrell’s Alexandria Quartet.
  • The novel is set in Alexandria, Egypt, in the late 1940s.
  • The novel was highly acclaimed upon its publication and is still widely regarded as one of Durrell’s masterpieces.
  • The novel was adapted into a movie in 1969, starring Anouk Aimee as Justine.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Who wrote Justine?

A: Justine was written by Lawrence Durrell and published in 1957.

Q: What is the plot of Justine?

A: Justine is the story of a group of people living in Alexandria, Egypt, in the late 1940s. The novel follows the intertwining lives and relationships of Justine, Nessim, and their circle of friends and family. As the story progresses, Justine’s marriage to Darley begins to unravel, and her love for Nessim grows. The novel explores the consequences of forbidden love, and the inner turmoil of its characters.

Q: What are the main themes of Justine?

A: The main themes of Justine are love, longing, regret, and guilt. The novel examines the consequences of forbidden love and the inner turmoil of its characters. It also explores the idea of love in its various forms, from romantic love to platonic love. The novel also explores the idea of loss, as the characters struggle to come to terms with the city’s decline.

Q: How was Justine received upon its publication?

A: Justine was highly acclaimed upon its publication and is still widely regarded as one of Lawrence Durrell’s masterpieces. It is praised for its vivid descriptions of the city and its characters, as well as its exploration of the theme of love.

Q: Has Justine been adapted into a movie?

A: Yes, Justine was adapted into a movie in 1969, starring Anouk Aimee as Justine.

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