Rich in invention, psychological truth and sheer entertainment, the five short novels that comprise The Avignon Quintet form one of the key works of an undisputed modern master.'Another constellation of Mediterranean mysteries and memories. This time it is not Alexandria, but Avignon: the old kingdom of the Popes, the capital of the ancient South of France, the heart of legendary Provence . . . The evocation of all of this is superb . . . Our old guide bleu in vintage form.' The Times

The Avignon Quintet: Monsieur, Livia, Constance, Sebastian and Quinx

the kingdom of kings and Popes, capital of the historic South of France, heart of legendary Provence. The entwined lives of a group of friends - and lovers - are transformed forever by the outbreak of World War II. But their dramatic present only plunges them further into the darkness of an ancient past, as they become entangled in buried plots, gnostic cults, religious rituals, and a mysterious hunt for hidden Knight's Templar treasure.   From Hitler's Europe to the medieval world, French chateaus to Egyptian deserts,  The Avignon Quintet  is an epic symphony of ecstasy and terror, madness and memory, passion and death. Consisting of five majestic novels -  Monsieur ,  Livia ,  Constance ,  Sebastian  and  Quinx  - it is a wild, wise masterpiece that could only be written by the literary master of his century, Lawrence Durrell.   'Entrancing ... Swooning ... Charged with Durrell's strange magic. ' Guardian   'An enigmatic and secretive work, a cluster of dark passages and gaudy treasure-filled caves ... Inventive gusto and fictive extravagance ... Sensational.'  London Review of Books   'Splendid ... Reckless all-or-nothing writing.' Sunday Telegraph     'A virtuoso, capable of extraordinary feats.'  New York Times    'Pungent and teasing ... There is some insidious power in him that keeps one reading.'  Observer     What readers are saying:  a masterful writer.'   'Magnificent ... An incredible level of writing that should be experienced by everyone who loves modern literature.'  'A masterpiece ... Unlike anything I've ever read.'   'The master at his peak.'   'The writing is spectacular, unlike anything today.'   'Deeply complex, very clever use of language and gripping. Highly recommended.'   'Hairs suddenly rise on the back of the neck ... Read with a glass of wine.'

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