Durrell, Lawrence Anyone?

[VerbalAbuse]

Once hailed as one of the greatest contemporary English writers, nowadays no longer held in such high repute, but still well liked and read.

Who finds him interesting? Some of his works (the ones I've read) are charged with sexuality, intriguing situations and potent settings. I wouldn't be surprised if someone found his writing more erotic than most stuff posted on lit.

Do you find him interesting? Have you found inspirations in his writing?

 

[Kumquatqueen]

Now only really known as Gerald Durrell's older brother, I think. Never read any of his stuff (but a few of Gerald's). Any recommendations?

 

[VerbalAbuse]

Now only really known as Gerald Durrell's older brother, I think. Never read any of his stuff (but a few of Gerald's). Any recommendations?

Justine

 

[THBGato]

I've read some of 'Prospero's cell' which was well written, poetic, immersive.

But it was such a struggle to take him seriously. Gerald Durrell is such a favourite in our house (our teenagers quote him endlessly) that I can't help but think of him as the petulant young man who "threw a pamphlet of theosophy" at a donkey as it interrupted his "deathless prose".

 

[VerbalAbuse]

I've read some of 'Prospero's cell' which was well written, poetic, immersive.

But it was such a struggle to take him seriously. Gerald Durrell is such a favourite in our house (our teenagers quote him endlessly) that I can't help but think of him as the petulant young man who "threw a pamphlet of theosophy" at a donkey as it interrupted his "deathless prose".

He's a poet, if not in form, at least in substance.

 

[KittyOfSteele]

I know of him, mostly as both drawing him and D. H. Lawrence as part of lessons on caricatures, but also because he was a Henry Miller disciple. I haven't got the chance to read either of them, but I have read Miller.

 

[ElectricBlue]

Do you find him interesting? Have you found inspirations in his writing?

I eventually managed to get through the Alexandria Quartet, after the third attempt. Failed to get more than a quarter of the way through any of the others. His prose is so turgid and slow, but with small slices of light.

I suspect he was a writer people raved about because everyone else was, but I wonder how many actually finished? Inspirational? None whatsoever.

 

[Bramblethorn]

I've read some of 'Prospero's cell' which was well written, poetic, immersive.

But it was such a struggle to take him seriously. Gerald Durrell is such a favourite in our house (our teenagers quote him endlessly) that I can't help but think of him as the petulant young man who "threw a pamphlet of theosophy" at a donkey as it interrupted his "deathless prose".

Gerald was a childhood favourite of mine. I'm delighted to hear kids are still enjoying him!

 

[THBGato]

Gerald was a childhood favourite of mine. I'm delighted to hear kids are still enjoying him!

My daughter's latest challenge is to find a natural use for the adverb "sepulchrally". (She's been listening to a lot of This Mortal Coil, so I'm sure the opportunity will arise.)

"I suppose that means I'll catch it," said Margot, sepulchrally.

"No, no dear," said mother, distractedly, "it might not be catching."

"I don't see how you can have an epidemic that isn't catching," pointed out Larry, logically.

My wife thinks that the current anti-adverb trend is simply because modern authors are in a sulk, knowing they'll never use them as well as Gerald Durrell.