[ilds] BITTER LEMONS

[Godshalk, William (godshawl)]

I have a friend, Michael Atkinson, who reads -- he says -- 40 pages of of any book that has been recommended to him. If any 40 pages, he does not like the book, he moves on to the next book. 

My father was a dipper. He would read a few pages or paragraphs, maybe even read the end of the book. I rarely saw him give up on a book, but he challenged every  book to keep his interest.


So, William, I recommend either method to you. As Maugham says, life is short, and there are so many books to read

Bill

.
W. L. Godshalk *
Department of English    *           *
University of Cincinnati*   * Stellar Disorder  *
OH 45221-0069 *  *
________________________________________
From: ilds-bounces at lists.uvic.ca [ilds-bounces at lists.uvic.ca] On Behalf Of William Apt [williamapt at austin.rr.com]
Sent: Friday, October 14, 2011 2:01 PM
To: ilds at lists.uvic.ca
Subject: [ilds] BITTER LEMONS

Dear all:

I loved PROSPERO'S CELL and REFLECTIONS ON A MARINE VENUS for Durrell's abstract, poetic portrayal of his experiences.  Both books are demanding, not user-friendly, and require a great deal of concentration and reflection.  Both books captivated me from the outset.

40 pages into it, I find BITTER LEMONS to be unsatisfying.  Except for the introductory scene in Venice, it is a straight forward narrative about quaint personalities Durrell encounters:  interesting to a point only, and lacking the lyricism I loved in the former two books.

Am I not giving BITTER LEMONS enough of a chance?

WILLIAM APT
Austin, Texas