- Hardcover
- Publisher: Faber And Faber (1957)
- ASIN: B0037UAX9I
- Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 3,251,872 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
Bitter Lemons of Cyprus
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
75 of 81 people found the following review helpful
Format:Mass Market Paperback
Forget all those insipid Peter Mayle books and the myriad imitations that they spawned. This is the real thing; a book about settling in a new country, buying a house (the funniest chapter in the book) and the slow realisation that, politically, the situation is becoming untenable. Bitter Lemons, which starts off so optimistically, is a sad commentary on the inability of people to get along with each other. Take this book away with you this summer and Mr Durrell's unique ability to evoke the Spirit of Place (see his collected letters) will stay with you and haunt you long after you return home from your tame Greek beach holiday.
57 of 62 people found the following review helpful
Format:Mass Market Paperback
The first issue here is over the name of the book, It is NOT `Bitter Lemons of Cyprus'; it was published as `Bitter Lemons', and that title has far more contextual meaning. Lemons are bitter sweet, and that defines Durrell's relationship with Cyprus, his village, the villagers and indeed the UK, which he generally referred to as Pudding Island. I will declare an interest: I adore Cyprus; this book was a main reason for me to visit, and subsequently, some 20 years ago we bought an arty house in a beautiful village. We have spent eight years living amongst some of the most generous, open and warm-hearted people on earth. This rings out from Durrell's book too. His descriptions are precise, accurate, affectionate and objective. In parallel with his attempts to make a home in the fabulously arty and beautiful village of Bellapaix, we watch in horror as the strategic political hypocrisies and cynicism play out at courtyard level. This era of Mediterranean history is not without shame for all the actors involved in it, and the victims are invariably the individuals caught up in the dangerous world of international politics mixed with nationalism, fear and misunderstandings; made the more dangerous by external meddling. Sounds horribly familiar to events elsewhere in the world, thereby proving that those who do not learn from the mistakes of history are condemned to repeat them. This book is a salutary lesson of the problems faced not only in buying a house in a foreign country, but also the problems of buying acceptance into a foreign culture, and inevitably the tragic price of failure. Bitter sweet. Bitter Lemons, indeed.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Mass Market Paperback
This is one of the most inspiring books I ever read. I loved it cover to cover. This one and "Esprit the corps" are really funny at places, but also moving tales of living in other cultures. The tragic history of modern Cyprus is an alarming background of this very personal tale.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
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Bitter Lemons of Cyprus
Firstly, Great price, good condition and very speedy delivery. In time to take with me to Northern Cyprus. Read more
Firstly, Great price, good condition and very speedy delivery. In time to take with me to Northern Cyprus. Read more
Published 18 days ago by Keith
Greater in-depth idea of North Cypriot life
This is a thoroughly enjoyable and easy read which gives a good insight to North Cypriot life, especially prior to 1974. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Puffin
good read
Have been to North Cyprus several times as I have family there, when visiting Bellapais, everyone makes a big thing about Laurence Durrell and his book, and yet probably, most... Read more
Published 5 months ago by marj
dream island
This book is so easy to read.It helps us understand all the troubles with Turks & Cypriots yet oozes sunshine, beauty and tranquility. Read more
Published 5 months ago by grangran
Cyprus, tragic comedy
Nostalgic memoir of interest to me as I visited Kyrenia and ate lunch under the Tree of Idleness. Durrell (the author) is said to be a good poet -- I have not read his poetry. Read more
Published 13 months ago by esl
v good
Interesting read describing life in N Cyprus at a pragticularly difficult time in its history. Vivid word pictures of local populace, of terrain and of life in the area at the... Read more
Published 24 months ago by Mr. Edward Gregory
why has this book not been made into a mini series
Other reviewers are being a bit pedantic over the title of this superb book. Yes it was first published as bitter lemons, but I think the new title gives it more gravitas. Read more
Published on 6 April 2010 by Mr. K. Puddephatt
Poetry in Motion
First and foremost Durrell was a great poet. When he writes, this leads to a wonderfully descripitive use of words. Read more
Published on 4 Mar 2010 by Martin P. Lowe
Bitter Lemons of Cyprus
Lawrence Durrell's personal account of Cyprus during the troubled period leading up to independence is fascinating. Read more
Published on 13 Feb 2009 by T. Stonehouse
A tale of two cultures
Hope, discovery, humour, tragedy and greed are portrayed with great literary skill in a captivating and very readable style in this excellent non-fictional story. Read more
Published on 3 Feb 2007 by Dr. E. Korusoy
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