The Lawrence Durrell Centenary

2012 is a big year. The International Lawrence Durrell Society is planning a Centenary celebration.

http://durrell2012.com/

Sounds like reason enough for a group read of the Alexandria Quartet

Well, I'd go for that!

Though I've noticed a suspicious lack of "group reads" on Literary Snobs. In fact, it seems like it's the only group on LibraryThing that doesn't indulge in online bookclubbing.

I suppose it's a good thing. Just trying to agree on what to read could take months of heavy debate around here.

So, I should be dusting off my copy of Justine then...

In terms of "group reads", I say start a thread, put out a call, see what titles resonate with people. I don't recollect anyone formally proposing a group reading before but...why not?

-a ULYSSES reading group
-a forum for people trying to make some sense out of GRAVITY'S RAINBOW

Etc.

As far as group reads, I've never been a fan, either because it's a lame attempt to rack up numbers (Let's Read 99 Books This Year!) or equally lame attempts by middle-class white people to seem culturally sensitive (3 Cups of Tea, the Kite Runner, etc.).

Since this is a year-long celebration of Durrell, it would be fitting to read a book of his (any one, he wrote a lot), and then throw your feedback up on the appropriate thread. Durrell wrote novels, novel cycles, poetry, travel essays, and other non-fiction. Dangerously prolific. One could also start a similar thread on Durrell's unique brand of East-meets-West philosophy (Einsteinian physics meets Buddhist metaphysics).

... that is if 2012 doesn't usher in the apocalypse ...

Have posted on my blog about this - see here. Am going to reread some of his books to celebrate the centenary. Not so sure whether I'll attend the conference in June, though...

Along with all the serious Lawrence Durrell reading, I recommend his brother Gerald's My Family and Other Animals, which is hilariously funny and features a not-always-flattering portrait of big brother Larry.