Despite being only approximately two-thirds the length of The Balkan Trilogy, it took me longer to finish reading The Levant Trilogy.
Olivia Manning is not to blame, but rather the awry emotional state I was in when I read the latter. I even entertained the thought of setting it aside for a lighter read, but I was rewarded for pressing on. I’m glad I trusted the recommendation of friends who thought the trilogies are worth experiencing. As I approached the Levant’s third book, my pace finally picked up and I could hardly put it down again; and by the time I turned the last page, I was not ready to let Guy and Harriet Pringle go.
Among other things, I think the second trilogy is a surprising critique on imperialism and British presence in the Levant. (“Lord, the things we do to other people’s countries.”)
And as I re-viewed the six books mentally, it felt to me like the twenty years of writing between the first volume and the last is a peeling away of life’s layers of unrealistic romanticism; so that by the end, one is left with the stark nakedness of reality — of war, marriage, and life.
Is it a bleak depiction of life? Not entirely. Manning seemed to say that it all depends on how you play the cards you’re dealt.
The Book-Butterfly 
I see you are watching it too… is it any good? I really don’t watch tv/films, but I think I wouldn’t mind seeing how the film adaptation is.
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You really are my sister from another dad and mom! Hahaha I don’t watch that much tv or films either! The most films I’ve watched in a month occurred when I went into a phase of Iranian cinema. In fact, I’m not done with the first episode of Fortunes of War until now. I always find something else to do or read. Hahaha I’ll let you know when I finally get to sit down and watch the entire series. It won’t be anytime soon. 😂
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Haha sister from another mister! Lol. My husband is a total movie buff… he still says he can’t believe he married someone who hasn’t watch Titanic. This is us every night on the couch – him watching movie, me head in a book! Not talking to each other at all. We do have a happy marriage! Lol 😂😂😂
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