pickAs part of the #readingenvysummerreading challenge to finish series, I finally read book 3 of the Alexandria Quartet by Lawrence Durrell, Mountolive. It follows the parallel story of Justine and Balthazar somewhat from the perspective of David Mountolive, British ambassador to Egypt. But it starts much earlier when he is a young diplomat living in Cairo, when he has a relationship with Leila, Nassim's mother. Ooh, intriguing. ⤵️
pickI love finishing a book in the morning because it gives me the rest of the day to mull it over and appreciate it. This book‘s last two chapters were brilliant- Durrell captured something of the perfect literary climax and caps out this three of four exquisitely adding power to the first two books of the quartet. Incredible.
A long thrilling silence fell in the room, in the corridor, on the balcony, the gardens everywhere - the silence of a relief which once more let the imprisoned blood flow in the heart and veins.
pickI listened to this whole book today since I had a big drive. It's the one I've liked the most so far from the Quartet, in part because it doesn't complicate itself unnecessarily, I guess. Romantic, mysterious, beautifully set in the Egyptian countryside and further info on all the entanglements of these characters we are coming to know so well. (Btw these audiobooks with the classical music and this narrator are amazing!)
Mountolive: El cuarteto de Alejandria | 
I'm hoping to get to Clea before the summer ends 4y