The International Lawrence Durrell Society Herald

Number 29 May 1, 2013 Anne R. Zahlan and David Radavich, Acting Editors Susan S. MacNiven, Founding Editor

The President’s Column conference offered to new Correspondence.” These efforts colleagues and the continued and others mark the continuing James Gifford, activity since are the best tributes importance of Durrell’s works th President, ILDS one could offer to the sprit of beyond his 100 year. Durrell 2012, and I thank the Each year also brings colleagues and dear friends whose sadness, and in 2013 we said our The past year has brought energies made the celebration ave atque vale to friends, mentors, remarkable events to the happen. and colleagues. Ray Morrison, a International Lawrence Durrell The centenary year brought longstanding member of the ILDS Society and, more generally, to abundance to the International whose A Smile in His Mind’s Eye: A research on Durrell’s works. I am Lawrence Durrell Society. Open Study in the Early Works of privileged to have served as the Road Media has published the Lawrence Durrell appeared in 2005 Society’s president while we ebook editions of Durrell’s works through the University of Toronto celebrated the centenary with in America, as has Faber & Faber in Press, passed away. Those who Durrell 2012, the seventeenth On the UK. Faber also released new attended Durrell 2012 met the Miracle Ground conference, at editions of The Alexandria Quartet Cypriot poet and travel writer Niki Goodenough College, London, and and The Black Book with fresh Marangou, who became a fast the British Library. The introductions by Jan Morris and friend to the Society before passing remarkable organizational skills of D.B.C. Pierre. Additionally, in a traffic accident this past Charles Sligh brought this event to Jennifer Condon’s recording of the spring. “You gone, the mirrors all a crescendo with media and public opera Sappho by Peggy Glanville- reverted,” but we all remember. attention continuing throughout Hicks (libretto by Durrell) was But 2014 approaches. To and beyond the centenary year. released on CD. An exceptional celebrate the achievements of our That the projects set in motion by new book, discussed in the Durrell past and to support future work, Durrell 2012 continue to play out 2012 sessions at the British we will all draw together again in testifies to Charles’s exceptional Library, was Joanna Hodgkin’s May 2014 for our eighteenth gift for bringing people together in biography of Nancy and Lawrence conference, On Miracle Ground good will. I must also acknowledge Durrell, Amateurs in Eden. Hodgkin XVIII, in Vancouver, British the generous support of Ilyas (who also writes as Joanna Hines) Columbia. Please join us all in Khan, without whom we would not is Nancy’s daughter and sister to Vancouver to remember, to plan, have enjoyed this exceptional Penelope Durrell Hope, and her and most importantly, to celebrate celebration. work has drawn much attention. the present. The capacious spirit of the The British Library has released a event was infectious, and the CD of Durrell’s readings, environment of mutual support interviews, and musical has demonstrably continued with performances in their Spoken the ongoing renewal of Deus Loci, Word series (including, in this case, several collaborative scholarly “sung” words as well). Radio projects, and now planning for our Australia has also released a eighteenth conference. The special program on Durrell and inviting welcome our London Henry Miller, “A Wartime ILDS Herald 2

Vice President’s Report any number of landmarks from Gentleman—the water-colourist the writer’s biography lie close to whose work for many years Durrell 2012: Goodenough College. Nearby sites distinguished Faber’s printings of include: the former location of Lawrence Durrell’s books. All of The Lawrence Durrell Caduceus Press, publisher of the artworks and personal items Centenary Durrell’s first volumes of featured in the Opening Exhibition poetry—Ten Poems, Bromo appeared on loan from various Charles Sligh, Bombastes, and Transition; the private collections from around Vice President, ILDS Faber & Faber offices at 24 Russell the world. Durrell 2012: The Square, where T. S. Eliot first read Lawrence Durrell Centenary The year 2012 marked the manuscript for The Black extends great appreciation to the what would have been the one- Book; the Slade School of Art, staff of Foyles Books and to these hundredth birthday of Lawrence where Nancy Myers Durrell collectors for their generosity. Durrell. During the week of 13-16 studied; and a number of other June, members of the Durrellian addresses located up International Lawrence Durrell and down Guilford Street, the road Society gathered, together with a immediately adjacent to host of scholars and readers from Goodenough College. These are around the globe, to mark the the very London streets and occasion. With events held at the neighborhoods that contributed British Library and at their sights and sounds to the Goodenough College, London, writer’s earliest novels, Pied Piper On Friday, 15 June, the Durrell 2012: The Lawrence of Lovers (1935), Panic Spring British Library opened up its Durrell Centenary was in every (1937), and The Black Book manuscript collections and sense a fitting way to reflect upon (1938). With all of these rich Conference Centre for a special and celebrate the life and work of biographical and literary day highlighting its archive of Lawrence Durrell. associations in mind, Centenary Lawrence Durrell materials. In a The main events of Durrell attendees were afforded the series of small-group viewing 2012 were held at Goodenough opportunity to immerse sessions, Rachel Foss, Curator of College, London. Located in the themselves in a part of London Modern Manuscripts, offered leafy green-space of Mecklen- that—according to historian and Durrell Centenary attendees burgh Square in Bloomsbury, and biographer, Michael Haag— direct access to a roomful of within easy walking distance of Lawrence Durrell “never left treasures—including typescripts the British Library and London’s behind.” for Pied Piper of Lovers and Panic major academic campuses, Several exhibitions and Spring; the notebooks and type- Goodenough College was a archival talks were held in honor scripts used for Justine and serendipitous choice of venue for of the Centenary, and these events Balthazar; and letters selected the Centenary. Lawrence Durrell’s presented a glimpse of an from Lawrence Durrell’s unrivaled assembly of items correspondence with Gerald relating to Lawrence Durrell’s life Durrell, Alan G. Thomas, and and art. On the evening of others. Taken together with panel Wednesday, 13 June, the Opening presentations on the Durrell Exhibition at Foyles Books archives at Faber & Faber, the featured a gallery filled with Morris Library (Southern Illinois previously unseen photographs, University, Carbondale) and the letters, and works in manuscript, Université Paris Ouest Nanterre, formative years in London (1923- along with a number of paintings the Centenary exhibitions at 1935) were centered on by Oscar Epfs (Lawrence Durrell), Foyles Books and the British Bloomsbury and Fitzrovia, and Nancy Durrell, and David Library presented attendees ILDS Herald 3 with the most Durrelliana ever session’s panel of eminent collected in any place or at any biographers and An Open Letter from Mme time. (For their work in planning historians—including Ian Françoise Kestsman- and facilitating the British Library MacNiven (Lawrence Durrell: A Durrell: events, the organizing committee Life), Michael Haag (Alexandria: for Durrell 2012: The Lawrence City of Memory), and Joanna To Everybody I know and also those I don't know. . . . Durrell Centenary would like to Hodgkin (Amateurs in Eden)— express deep appreciation to discussed the pleasures and the I am so sorry not to be able to Rachel Foss, Corinne Alexandre- problems of researching and come and celebrate Larry's Garner, and Isabelle Keller- writing about Durrell’s life. memory with you. But like Privat.) Additionally, Eleni Verhagen everybody I am becoming In addition to panel shared songs and memories older and older and very sessions featuring 40 presenters drawn from the time she spent as tired. I know you have done a from 19 different countries and Lawrence Durrell’s housekeeper. lot to prepare for this the day of special exhibits and Finally, during the Durrell celebration and I thank you talks at the British Library, a Centenary Banquet, held in the deeply for that. bounty of plenary sessions and Great Hall of London House, But please, don't be too keynote addresses marked the Goodenough College, a series of academic;—Try to remember significance of Lawrence Durrell’s addresses and speeches capped him as an ordinary human Centenary. Plenary talks held in off the London events in true being with a way of thinking the Large Common Room at celebratory style. Featured and feeling that is deeply Goodenough College featured the speakers delivering remarks at poetic. following speakers addressing the banquet included: aspects of Durrell’s biography and James Gifford (President, Don't forget that first he was writings: International Lawrence Durrell —he is!!—one of the greatest Leo Mellor (Murray Society); Ian S. MacNiven (Past poets of the last century, Edwards College, Cambridge), President and Founding Member, perhaps the greatest one. “Durrell in Context: Interwar International Lawrence Durrell Of course he is best known for Writers & the Cityscape of Society); Anthea Morton-Saner his novels and travel books, London”; (Curtis Brown Group Ltd, retired); but listen to his poems. It is Corinne Alexandre-Garner Susanna Nicklin (Director of only through his poems that (Université Paris Ouest Nanterre), Literature, British Council); one can hope to be able to feel “Manufacturing Dreams— Suzanne Joinson (Writer and his deep mind and sensibility. Lawrence Durrell’s Fiction Literature Adviser, British Revisited Through Chirico’s Council); Christopher Butler And also don't forget his Metaphysical Paintings”; (Christ Church, Oxford). wonderful laugh—so deep, Anthony Hirst (Durrell The official program full of life and dark humour. School of Corfu), “Einstein or printed for Durrell 2012: The In front of such a soul the only Escher?—Whose ‘Relativity’ Lawrence Durrell Centenary way to behave is to read him Really Informs The Alexandria featured a special “Open Letter” and to listen to the silence, Quartet?”; from Françoise Kestsman-Durrell, full of his mind. Mark Morris (University of and it is fitting to conclude this Alberta), “In the Days of Sappho retrospect by recalling her charge I hope very much that you —Lawrence Durrell’s Plays, 50 that we all remember Larry not will have a great meeting, full Years On.” only as a novelist and travel- of the joy and pleasure of An entire special session writer, but also as a human being togetherness, and I send a lot was dedicated to the topic of and as a poet, “one of the greatest of thanks to each of you for “Lawrence Durrell at 100: Durrell poets of the last century.” being there for him. & The Biographer’s Art.” The ILDS Herald 4

On Miracle Ground XVII Adrian Dannatt ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Lynne Roberts Simon Ings Durrell 2012: The Lawrence Christopher Butler Durrell Centenary expresses Mark Morris gratitude to Françoise Kestsman Leo Mellor and the Estate of Lawrence Peter Baldwin Durrell for their willingness to Sandeep Parmar provide necessary permissions for The University of Tennessee at Centenary publications, events, Chattanooga and exhibitions. Fairleigh Dickinson University, Vancouver Durrell 2012: The Lawrence Université Paris Ouest Nanterre Never before available in book Durrell Centenary extends its form, Lawrence Durrell’s Judith has appreciation to Ilyas Khan for his Photos from London recently been published in a generous patronage of the limited edition of 500 copies by the Centenary events at Goodenough Durrell School of Corfu. Set in College. Palestine at the end of the British administration, the novel began life The following people and in 1962 as a treatment for a film of institutions also made invaluable the same title starring Sophia contributions to success of the Loren, and was serialized in five Durrell Centenary: issues of Woman’s Own in 1966. Anna Davis [Curtis Brown] Durrell later rewrote and expanded Rachel Foss [British Library] the treatment, and it is the Rachel Alexander [Faber & expanded version that is printed Faber] here and introduced by Richard Miriam Robinson [Foyles Books] The “Triumvirate,” Charles Sligh, Pine. Copies of this and other Jennifer Condon [Sappho: Opera James Gifford, and Paul Lorenz, Durrell School publications are in 3 Acts] with a picture of Her Majesty, available from Colenso Books; Simon Toombs [Folio Society] Queen Elizabeth II. write [email protected] for Suzy Joinson [British Council] details or order through Susanna Nicklin [British Council] www.amazon.co.uk. James Bantin [Special Collections, Alyscamps Press of Paris Morris Library] marked the centenary of Durrell’s Lee Durrell [Durrell Wildlife birth with an attractive limited Conservation Trust] edition broadside of Elegy on the Sam Jordison [Guardian Books] Closing of the French Brothels, John Hope which originally appeared in Joanna Hodgkin volume 8 of Now (1947) and was Anthea Morton-Saner subsequently included in the Mary Byrne collection On Seeming to Presume. Michael Haag Colenso Books stocks the Elegy as Ian MacNiven The Durrell 2012 banquet in the well as several more Alyscamps Peggy Fox Great Hall of London House, publications of interest to ILDS Isaac Sligh Goodenough College, London. members. Stela Ghetie Those other two Eleni Verhagen musketeers of pre-war Parisian Philip Pulan days, Anaïs Nin and Henry Miller, ILDS Herald 5

have also been receiving attention. the first volume of Nexus appearing 2” and an array of book reviews Sky Blue Press has published a in his lifetime. Yet he went on to bound to be of interest to facsimile of the 1939 edition of write another hundred pages or so Philhellenes. Theodore The Winter of Artifice, Nin’s of what would have been its second Stephanides’ delightful Autumn second work of fiction and a volume. Paris publisher Autrement Gleanings collects the Corfu volume in the Villa Seurat imprint released a translation of those memoirs of the scientist whose of Obelisk Press. (The others were pages as Nexus 2: Vacances à enthusiasm and wide-ranging The Black Book and Henry Miller’s l'étranger in 2004, and now John knowledge profoundly influenced Max and the White Phagocytes.) Libbey in the UK and Indiana both Lawrence and Gerald Durrell. This new edition is introduced by University Press have published It also includes a selection of Benjamin Franklin V and editions of Miller’s notes as Paris Stephanides’ decidedly backward- represents the first complete and 1928: Nexus II, each with an looking poetry and a short fantasy unexpurgated American edition. introduction by Tom Thompson in which Lawrence Durrell is Sky Blue has also published The and drawings by Garry Shead. In magically transformed into a Portable Anaïs Nin. For details, see addition, Australia’s Bolinda Audio bishop! Published jointly by the http://www.skybluepress.org. has released a version on three Durrell School of Corfu and the Another welcome CDs read by Lynn Hard. International Lawrence Durrell publication from Alyscamps is a Simon Fenwick describes Society, the volume is edited by revised, 106-page limited edition the eventful lives and exuberant Richard Pine, Lindsay Parker, of Nin’s Paris Revisited, which correspondence of three writers James Gifford and Anthony Hirst. recounts Nin’s return to Paris in —two famous and another who Although Norman Douglas 1954. This edition includes an deserves to be better known—in seldom wrote directly about afterword by publisher Karl Orend “Shanks's Europe: Patrick Leigh Greece, he repeatedly paid tribute as well as photographs of places Fermor, Lawrence Durrell and Xan to Magna Graecia, those regions of and people (including Durrell and Fielding: A Friendship.” Fenwick’s southern Italy settled by the Miller) mentioned in the text. article, which quotes generously ancient Greeks. Several years ago Frederick Turner from the correspondence, the Norman Douglas celebrates Miller and his most appeared in the TLS for Nov. 16, Forschungsstelle of the famous work in Renegade: Henry 2012, pages 16-17. Vorarlberger Landesbibliothek Miller and the Making of Tropic of In “Age of Gold? British and (near Douglas’s Austrian Cancer (Yale University Press). Greek Writers and Artists in birthplace) inaugurated biennial Appearing on the fiftieth Athens 1945-50,” Sir Michael symposia devoted to him. More anniversary of the novel’s Llewellyn Smith considers a unique recently, Neugebauer Verlag has triumphant publication in the period, discussing Durrell, Leigh begun issuing attractive volumes of United States by Grove Press, Fermor, Rex Warner, Bernard letters to and from this “grand Renegade is a volume in the Spencer, John Craxton, and many man,” as Nancy Cunard described publisher’s “Icons of America” more figures who passed through him. The first volume, Respectful series. Jeanette Winterson’s the Greek capital in the years Ribaldry: A Selection of Letters from somewhat dismissive review in following World War II. Wonders Norman Douglas to Faith Compton the New York Times Book Review Sir Michael, “Could it happen Mackenzie, came out in 2008, and brought a spirited response from again?” Sadly enough, his answer is since then four more volumes have Michael Haag, who pointed out no. “The circumstances that appeared. For details, search the that “Miller, the late-arriving brought it about will not recur.” (German-language) site of the American in Paris, could have You can read the entire article in Landesbibliothek at written a book of utter despair number 47 of The Anglo-Hellenic http://vlb.vorarlberg.at, and to and degradation in keeping with Review (Spring 2013), pages 3-6, obtain copies of the symposia and the times, but instead he sings.” along with Lt. Colonel Michael letters, as well as other Douglas Miller left his series “The Rosy Westropp’s “Secret War in the items, contact the publisher at Crucifixion” incomplete, with only Aegean Islands during World War [email protected]. ILDS Herald 6

—critical articles, book reviews, or At OMG XI (Corfu, 2000) creative work—to the editor at there was a panel session on DEUS [email protected]. teaching Durrell, which I found to be enormously helpful. If others On Teaching Durrell are preparing to teach Durrell, LOCI especially the AQ, and want to get in touch, I would be more than Notes from happy to pass on the ups and Anna Lillios Linda S. Rashidi downs, ins and outs of my experiences. Deus Loci is flourishing! Two In this Spring 2013 semester I am issues related to Lawrence teaching (for the second time) the Durrell’s centenary are currently English Senior Seminar, capstone Topics researched by Linda being prepared for publication. course for our English majors here Rashidi’s students at Mansfield Articles for the first issue, volume at Mansfield University. The University 13, were collected by Robert seminar is entitled Lawrence Haslam, a Durrell aficionado from Durrell’s Alexandria Quartet: Magic 1. The Strange Narration of the AQ: Is Darley Dead? England. Rob’s collection, entitled and Mindscape. I have an amazing group of 14 students this semester, 2. Our Perspective of Darley Emended Readings, aspires to re- through Different Points of and I barely have to teach the class. assess Durrell’s oeuvre for the View st 21 -century reader and to right We spent the first half of the course 3. Issues of the Foreigner Voice wrongs committed by past British doing a close reading of Justine, 4. Parents and Children: Power in negative reviewers, who, Balthazar, Mountolive, and Clea. Peril according to Rob, didn’t Each week, the students wrote 5. Borderlands within the AQ understand Durrell’s ethos. informal response papers about 6. Defining “Love” in the AQ Volume 13 includes articles by everything from Durrell’s use of 7. The Shape of a Woman Corrine Alexandre-Garner, Mary symbols to whether Nessim is really 8. Existentialism: Determining Meaning in the AQ Byrne, Michael Haag, Robert crazy to the reliability of the 9. The Development of Self through Haslam, Isabelle Keller, Ray omniscient narrator. The students are now preparing their major Sexual Interactions Morrison, Clive Scott, Fiona 10. Durrell’s Conception of the Tomkinson, Dianne Vipond, and papers, which they will present in Relationship between Man Ralph Yarrow. David Radavich, public forum at the end of the and Place the poetry editor, has directed a semester. Several of these are 11. Perceptions of Truth and Reality White Mice contest for the issue. conference worthy—at least in my in the AQ This year’s winning poets are opinion. 12. Reimagining the AQ through Its Steve Lautermilch, Julia Older, In my previous incarnation Minor Characters Jerome L. Wyant, Brian Clark, and of this course, I kept to a rigid 13. Nessim Hosnani: A Relativistic Paul Solar. The issue concludes structure, introducing lots of Portrait with moving reminiscences by secondary works and insisting that Durrell’s friends, including Anthea students familiarize themselves Morton-Saner, Paul Gotch, with background material as well as Barbara Robinson, Frédéric previous analysis of the Quartet. Jacques Temple, Peter Baldwin, This time around, I have focused Mary Byrne, Ralph Steadman, more on student interpretation and Paula Wisenlef, and Richard Pine. close reading. And I have let the Volume 14, the centenary students burrow around and dig out edition, will be prepared for their own secondary sources. For publication this summer. the most part, this approach has Please send submissions been successful. ILDS Herald 7

Clawson, William Godshalk, and with places associated with Fiona Tomkinson. These board Durrell in other parts of the world, members, along with former and Canada is a host country presidents, will lead ILDS until the attractive to many potential 2014 conference when elections are attendees. A Call for Papers will be again held. issued in the near future: it will 2014 Conference: A major appear on the Web site at topic of discussion at the business www.lawrencedurrell.org as well meeting was the location of OMG as in the next issue of the Herald. XVIII. A plurality of those present In addition to extensive discussion Micro-Minutes: expressed interest in Cyprus or New of Deus Loci and the contents of York as the next meeting place, with the next two issues, the Web site ILDS Meetings Corfu and Istanbul also favored. and the online bibliography, and the need for more communication Anne Zahlan Executive Board Meetings in with members, the board 2012 and 2013: addressed financial need on the The 2012 Business Meeting: The ILDS Executive Board part of the Society. A decision was As part of On Miracle met on 17 June 2012, the day after made to offer a Life Membership Ground XVII, a general business the London business meeting. In in the International Lawrence meeting was convened on 16 June addition to review and assessment Durrell Society, at the rate of $800 2012, in London, England, ILDS of London 2012: The Lawrence for an individual and $1000 for a President James Gifford presiding. Durrell Centenary, there was couple. Life members will be (Detailed minutes will be discussion of criteria for recognized in Society publications. submitted for approval at the determining a 2014 conference 2014 business meeting.) In location. It was decided that the addition to reports on many president would communicate with London in the Aftermath activities of the Society including those who had expressed interest in the Web site, the on-line hosting to indicate issues to be discussion group, Deus Loci, the addressed in proposals. A time-line Herald, book publications, and for considering proposals was academic-conference established, providing that a participation, other items on the decision on the 2014 site be reached agenda were news from the at the February 2013 meeting of the Durrell School of Corfu, board. consideration of locations for the By the time of the 2013 ILDS next Durrell conference, and Executive Board meeting in society elections. Louisville, Kentucky, the Cyprus and Elections: A slate of Corfu proposals to host the 2014 officers was presented by the conference had been withdrawn, Nominations Committee (Don and New York and Istanbul were on As Durrell 2012 came to a close, Kaczvinsky, David Radavich, hold. In the meantime, a proposal Pamela and Greg Francis Dianne Vipond). There being no had been received from the celebrated their 20th wedding additional nominations from the Fairleigh Dickinson University anniversary at a Bloomsbury floor, the slate was accepted. campus in Vancouver, British restaurant. Elected by acclamation were: as Columbia. After discussion, the president, James Gifford; as vice board voted to accept the proposal president, Charles Sligh; as to hold OMG XVIII in Vancouver. secretary-treasurer, Paul Lorenz; This location honors the custom of and, as members-at-large, James alternating North American venues ILDS Herald 8

“No, you should have picked one from a poem Being written softly with a brush— The breathless ideogram for love we writers hunt.” —Lawrence Durrell, “A Bowl of Roses”

A Call for Poems on ISLANDS

The White Mice Poetry Contest

First Prize: $100. Second Prize: $50. Honorable Mentions: Publication. Winning poems will be published in Deus Loci, journal of the International Lawrence Durrell Society.

Deadline: October 1, 2013. Submit one to three poems, all previously unpublished (and not to be published during the course of the contest), and a brief biography. Electronic submissions are preferred. All poems will be considered for publication. Since all submissions are read anonymously, your name and address (including e-mail) must appear on cover sheet only. Manuscripts cannot be returned.

Reading Fee: $10. Special Subscription Offer: $15. This includes the reading fee plus a one-year subscription to Deus Loci (normally $10). Payment may be made online at http://www.lawrencedurrell.org/mice.htm

Send electronic entries (preferred) to: [email protected].

Send hard copies (with a check made out to Deus Loci) to: Deus Loci White Mice Poetry Contest David Radavich 6216 Glenridge Road Charlotte, NC 28211

“Words I carry in my pocket, where they breed like white mice.” —Lawrence Durrell to Henry Miller ILDS Herald 9

The International Lawrence Durrell Society Membership Form Membership in the Society entitles you to receive The International Lawrence Durrell Society Herald, the Society's membership directory, and advance information about the biennial Lawrence Durrell conferences and activities. Your membership dues help fund these conferences as well as other Society activities and publications.

Name: ______

Home Address: ______

Office Address: ______Home Telephone: ______Office Phone: ______FAX:______E-Mail: ______

Where do you prefer to receive mail?______

_____ Student single membership is $15.00 a year. _____ Regular single membership is $25.00 a year. _____ Regular double membership (two people, one address) is $30.00 a year. _____ Life membership (individual) is $800. _____ Double Life Membership (two people, one address) is $1000.00.

I wish to pay my membership dues for ______year(s)/life. Contributions to the International Lawrence Durrell Society are tax deductible under U.S. law [509 (a) (1)]. I wish to make a tax-deductible contribution of ______.

Subscriptions to Deus Loci: The Lawrence Durrell Journal: ($10/year. For subscriptions to be sent outside of North America, add $2/year surface mail or $8.00 for air). Enroll me for a subscription to Deus Loci ______.

Amount Enclosed: ______

Mail this form and your check or money order in U.S. dollars payable to the International Lawrence Durrell Society to: Paul H. Lorenz, Secretary/Treasurer, International Lawrence Durrell Society 3201 S. Beech Street #40, Pine Bluff, AR 71603 USA