[ilds] Gidgeon of Rhodes

[Denise Tart & David Green]

Well, it has been a lively few days on the list - quelle maleur! Maybe A. Durrell and R. Pine should should seek out a riverside meadow and exchange shots with a potato gun or some such. I am sure the good doctor could dig out his odd coloured shoes for the occassion. 

Charles, I am flattered that you ask for my suggestions as to where to go next with discussions of Durrell's work. I have been thinking of Reflections of a Marine Venus as, to me, this is Durrell's happiest island book - untainted by the nostalgia of Prospero's Cell or the bitter politics of Bitter Lemons. 

In letters to friends describing his new island, he wrote passages of such lyrical rapture that they gave the impression of being sketches for his projected book.    - Bowker 165

Here in Marine Venus is Durrell back on a beautiful Greek island with a great cast of eccentric English gents including one of my favourite, Gidgeon.
although Durrell generally disliked the mindless military establishment and often aimed blows at it, (Scobie the transvestite / Scobie the British commander in Greece) the Character of Gidgeon is painted in a kindly light; after an initial prejudice

"Gigeon Stood among a cluster of egngineers and seamen, abstractly reading a book. I recall thinking to myself that he looked the personification of orthodoxy: the monicle, the clipped silver air, the polished boots... if I were to spend 24 hours in his company, I thought, I should undoubtedly spend them in politely deffering to judgements based on popular prejudice....His rather obvious glass eye regarded the world from time to time with what seemed to me like a somewhat boorish indifference.."  (Marine Venus p 3)

In Gidgeon's case appearances turn out to be deceiving. Comment on Gideon - the name itself is paradoxical.

David Green






Denise Tart & David Green
16 William Street, Marrickville NSW 2204

+61 2 9564 6165
0412 707 625
dtart at bigpond.net.au
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