Justine, Favourite Bits

"A city becomes a world when one loves one of its inhabitants" writes Durrell, in the first book of the famous Alexandria Quartet, Justine.

We take a peek at this history ridden city and its characters. I wanted to write up some of my favourite bits from the book, to have them permanently lying here. It is upsetting, but the book is from my university's library and I am to return it back if I ever wish to graduate and leave.

"At this she put out her hand and placed it on mine while she laughed, wrinkling up her nose: laughing with such candour, so lightly and effortlessly, that there and then I decided to love her." p.55

"..what I lack of heart I make up in soul." 

"If this was love then it was a variety of the plant which I have never seen before." p.66

"It is hard to fight with one's heart's desire; whatever it wishes to get, it purchases at the cost of soul." p.87

"There was something exhausting and perverting about loving so well and yet loving so little." p.112

"I saw that pain itself was the only food of memory: for pleasure ends in itself - all they had bequeathed me was a fund of permanent health - life-giving detachment." p.160

and on a page, there was a short paragraph on the ends of Mediterranean.. mentioning Cyprus, Salamis.. i would like to keep that for myself.

Until next time
Zehra