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hadeanstars's review against another edition
4.0
Not my favourite Lawrence , which isn't to say that this is not still the work of an outright genius. It goes without saying, there are times that you do not fully identify with an author's subject, but you still recognise the magnificence of his or her gift. Many of these stories were a little bleak and perhaps depressing. So often, Lawrence was able to uplift the very mundane. He could make the poorest and most benighted existence sparkle with some profound glimpse of that beauty which cannot be bought. That is the purpose of any literature after all, to capture the beauty of life. Lawrence had that ability, perhaps more than any other writer. But he also had to write from within his own experience and from out of his own perceptions. I actually get the feeling that perhaps he wrote these stories during a bout of depression or illness, or at the very least, a bout of cynicism. In fact, I think they were a collection that he had been developing for a while and they were published just as he left Europe for the USA. It sits very much in the context of The Lost Girl and has that same feeling about it, and it is for me in a stark contrast to Twilight in Italy and Etruscan Places, which are both so transcendent. Perhaps his experiences of the continent had hardened his opinions about his home country. There is a note of cynicism about the English poor that seems most at odds with the Italian peasants, for example, who seem freer, despite their poverty. It is as though Lawrence was disillusioned by the English and by England at this time. Such a musing profoundly alters one's apprehension of the title.
But there are glimpses nonetheless of the brilliance. And the writing is generally flawless. What else can one say?
But there are glimpses nonetheless of the brilliance. And the writing is generally flawless. What else can one say?
riverss's review against another edition
4.0
He had no desire to give himself to the world, and still less had he any desire to fight his way in the world. No, no, the world wasn't worth it.
andreaitziar's review against another edition
3.0
Realmente no ha sido una historia que me haya entusiasmado pero tampoco puedo decir que la haya aborrecido. Simplemente no me ha llegado.
saraaaa's review against another edition
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
An interesting, quick read. I'm not familiar with Lawrence's work, and judging only by this short story, I probably wouldn't enjoy it too much. More that ¾ of the story were a mashing and overlapping of metaphors and consideration on early 20th century English society, that, while deep and thorough and interesting per se, were just too many. And the endless repetitions – sometimes it was words, sometimes entire phrases –, which at first seemed like a nice touch, an interesting stylistic device, by the first half of the book had already become unnerving. The racist and misogynistic considerations were hard to chew through, as well as all the times children were called "it", but I couldn't say if it was conveying the author's or the characters' thoughts.
The setting, though, was a delight to read about and imagine – such detailed and consistent features, each with its own significance – and it seemed to be alive and breathing with more life than the very protagonists.
It may be because of a personal thematic preference, but I found that the last part had a more natural flow to it.
The setting, though, was a delight to read about and imagine – such detailed and consistent features, each with its own significance – and it seemed to be alive and breathing with more life than the very protagonists.
It may be because of a personal thematic preference, but I found that the last part had a more natural flow to it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Misogyny, Racism, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Medical content
hannahlouise_'s review against another edition
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
blakeisgreene's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
doppelganger's review against another edition
4.0
"England, My England" 4.5/5
"No, he had no desire to defy Germany and to exalt England. The distinction between German and English was not for him the distinction between good and bad. It was the distinction between blue water-flowers and red or white bush-blossoms: just difference. The diferrence between the wild boar and the wild bear. And a man was no good or bad according to his nature, not according to his nationality."
"No, he had no desire to defy Germany and to exalt England. The distinction between German and English was not for him the distinction between good and bad. It was the distinction between blue water-flowers and red or white bush-blossoms: just difference. The diferrence between the wild boar and the wild bear. And a man was no good or bad according to his nature, not according to his nationality."
lnatal's review against another edition
3.0
Lawrence was an early 20th century controversial English writer. His works include; essays, novels, short stories, poems, plays, literary criticism and paintings. He believed that industrialization had dehumanized society. Emotional health and sexuality were common themes in his works. This collection of short stories was written between 1913 and1921. Many are set against the background of World War I. Stories included are: England My England, Tickets, Please, The Blind Man, Monkey Nuts, Wintry Peacock, You Touched Me, Samson and Delilah, The Primrose Path, The House dealer's Daughter, and fanny and Annie.
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