Collected Poems 1931-74
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Lawrence Durrell's success as a novelist may have tended to obscure his achievement as a poet and in poetry. It is primarily as a lyrical poet of places that he was acknowledged to excel, but in Collected Poems it will be found that the range of feeling and ideas, of wit and experience, and also of style, is remarkable. The whole volume is charged with Durrell's response to the 'spirit of place', which is one of this exceptional gifts as a writer.
'They range from affecting and beautiful love poems to skilful, succinct portraits and robust ballads . . . Rich in ideas.' -- Alan Ross
'As a lyrical poet . . . he is the equal of Auden.' -- Gavin Ewart
'Durrell's poetry compels the highest standard of judgement . . . The effect of reading him is to have one's love of poetry rekindled . . . Genuine life, genuine emotion, genuine art.' -- John Wain
Lawrence Durrell
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.
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