Bitter Lemons of Cyprus
2 journalers for this copy...
In the preface, Durrell states that this is not a political book, but a somewhat impressionistic study of the moods and atmospheres of Cyprus during the troubled years 1953 to 1956.
He lived in the Greek village of Bellapais (now in North Cyprus), and "watched the unfolding of the Cyprus tragedy both from the village tavern and from Government House... I wanted to keep the book free from the smaller contempts, in the hope that it would be readable long after the current misunderstandings have been resolved as they must be sooner or later."
Now over 50 years later the misunderstandings are still not resolved.
He lived in the Greek village of Bellapais (now in North Cyprus), and "watched the unfolding of the Cyprus tragedy both from the village tavern and from Government House... I wanted to keep the book free from the smaller contempts, in the hope that it would be readable long after the current misunderstandings have been resolved as they must be sooner or later."
Now over 50 years later the misunderstandings are still not resolved.
I dug this out again because I noticed it on someone's wishlist. I've been reading through it quickly and have looked up some background information on the author, who was portrayed recently in the TV series about the Durrells based on his brother Gerald's books set in Corfu*.
I've always liked Bitter Lemons and also Durrell's book about Aphrodite, set in Rhodes. But now I see that in keeping the narrative "free from the smaller contempts" as mentioned in my first JE, I wonder if he considered his wife (the second of four) as a smaller contempt, also - as she is not mentioned at all although I think she was with him on Cyprus (they divorced shortly afterwards). He does say in passing that he is trying to teach his daughter Greek - and I've seen it confirmed that his daughter Sappho lived with him. From the book one gathers that he is a convivial, friendly, intelligent person though from all the research I've done, he was not at all a "nice man", treating all his wives badly, drinking heavily, and lewd in his sexual exploits. Sappho committed suicide and made grave accusations against him but there is no evidence they were true.
Setting all that aside, this gives a readable and clear view of Cyprus under British rule, at a time when many of the Cypriots were calling for union with Greece, a situation that led to conflict, invasion by Turkish troops and the division of the island, with a frontier through Nicosia.
There's a receipt inside the front cover informing me that I bought this in 1992! I think at the time I was editing a guidebook to Cyprus.
*Strangely enough, Gerald Durrell describes his brother Lawrence as living with the rest of the family, where in fact he was lodging in a separate house with his first wife and daughter.
I've always liked Bitter Lemons and also Durrell's book about Aphrodite, set in Rhodes. But now I see that in keeping the narrative "free from the smaller contempts" as mentioned in my first JE, I wonder if he considered his wife (the second of four) as a smaller contempt, also - as she is not mentioned at all although I think she was with him on Cyprus (they divorced shortly afterwards). He does say in passing that he is trying to teach his daughter Greek - and I've seen it confirmed that his daughter Sappho lived with him. From the book one gathers that he is a convivial, friendly, intelligent person though from all the research I've done, he was not at all a "nice man", treating all his wives badly, drinking heavily, and lewd in his sexual exploits. Sappho committed suicide and made grave accusations against him but there is no evidence they were true.
Setting all that aside, this gives a readable and clear view of Cyprus under British rule, at a time when many of the Cypriots were calling for union with Greece, a situation that led to conflict, invasion by Turkish troops and the division of the island, with a frontier through Nicosia.
There's a receipt inside the front cover informing me that I bought this in 1992! I think at the time I was editing a guidebook to Cyprus.
*Strangely enough, Gerald Durrell describes his brother Lawrence as living with the rest of the family, where in fact he was lodging in a separate house with his first wife and daughter.
going to someone who has it on her wishlist.
Tu m' as vraiment gatee chere amie. Ce livre c' est le troisieme dans le meme enveloppe qui est arrive ce matin dans ma boite a lettres. Merci beaucoup pour le livre de L .Durrell "Bitter lemon of Cyprus'. Tu es vraiment adorable!!!!!
