Manifesto

Some things bear repeating.  The subject matter of this forum is Lawrence Durrell, man and artist.  All comments about his life and work are welcome, and that includes disagreeing with anything said.  In fact, I expect disagreement.  Say whatever you want.  We all have our owns crotchets and hobbyhorses.  Mine has to do with Durrell's creative processes — why he wrote what he did and what drove him to it.  I see him as a highly complex and obsessive writer, who used his work as a way to deal with his personal problems.  That is my bias.  It is akin to Thomas Mann's treatment of art as a form of sickness.  So I am inclined to explore Durrell's creative psychology or pathology, if you will.  I do not think looking into the complexities of Durrell's life destroys the pleasure of reading his great contribution to world literature.  But you may disagree with that statement, should you so choose.  Durrell's work offers many pleasures and new discoveries, and anything pertinent to the man is open to discussion.  —  BR