Travel Writing As A By-Product Of A Career - Lawrence Durrell
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Travel Writing as a By-Product of a Career: Lawrence Durrell
Introduction
Many renowned travel writers never set out to document their journeys. They found themselves chronicling exotic locales as a by-product of other careers. In today’s digital age, when it's believed we can explore the world from behind a screen, the art of travel writing might seem diminished. Yet, we are left with a rich legacy of travel literature, often emerging from unexpected sources.
The Accidental Travel Writer
Lawrence Durrell is a prime example. His passion for travel was influenced by his wandering family and career in the diplomatic corps. Durrell gained international fame with The Alexandria Quartet, inspired by his time in Alexandria, Egypt. Although many works in his extensive collection are known mainly to enthusiasts and collectors, they all share a common thread of exploring time and place.
Diplomatic Life and Literary Gems
Durrell's contemporaries included Harold Nicolson, a diplomat and author known for works like The War Years and Congress of Vienna. During Durrell's stint in diplomacy, he penned classics such as Esprit de Corps: Sketches of Diplomatic Life, capturing early 20th-century Yugoslavia. Despite the serious settings, his works are often humorous. Critic John Connell noted that Durrell wrote with a wit comparable to P. G. Wodehouse. Other notable works in this genre include Sauve Qui Peut and Stiff Upper Lip, detailing diplomatic misadventures with charming illustrations by Nicolas Bentley.
Beyond Diplomacy: A Traveler's Legacy
Durrell's literary travels extended beyond diplomatic tales. His other travel books include Prospero's Cell, Reflections on a Marine Venus, Bitter Lemons of Cyprus, Blue Thirst, Sicilian Carousel, The Greek Islands, and Caesar's Vast Ghost. These works highlight his love for exploration and rejection of a singular national identity, preferring to be labeled as cosmopolitan. Contrary to some beliefs, Durrell was classified as non-patrial in 1968 due to the Commonwealth Immigrants Act. This legal status mandated that he remain a perpetual traveler, needing a visa for each visit to Britain.
Conclusion
Lawrence Durrell’s life and works exemplify how travel writing can emerge from diverse experiences. His contributions demonstrate the enduring power of storytelling to transport readers to different worlds, even long after the journey is over.
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