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taleofabibliophile's review against another edition
2.5
Graphic: Ableism, Cursing, Infidelity, Sexual content, and Classism
Moderate: Homophobia and Lesbophobia
Minor: Animal death, Cancer, Death, Racism, Antisemitism, and Death of parent
bookishevy's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I've always wanted to read this book, so when I saw a free version on Audible, I downloaded it immediately.
This book explores the extramarital affair between Constance (Connie) Chatterley and her husband's gamekeeper Oliver Mellows. Connie's husband Clifford is paralyzed from the waist down due to an injury sustained in WWI. Connie grows bored with Clifford and his fellow intellectuals. Her young body yearns for something physical, especially given how sexually liberated she was as a teen. Clifford can't satisfy her. What's a girl to do?
Although this wouldn't pass for spicy today, I can see why it was so controversial when it was privately published in Italy in 1928 to avoid censors and only available to subscribers in England. But Lawrence couldn't get an international copyright, so there were a lot of pirated versions available. I imagine people clutching their pearls while reading such obscenities. Lawrence really pushed it with his descriptions of sex.
But the story is about a lot more than a torrid love affair. Class and industrialization are also explored. Clifford comes from an upper-class family that made its fortune in mining, and he wants to increase technology to make mining more efficient. He doesn't care about the workers. He actually despises the working class, making Connie's affair with the gamekeeper all the more satisfying. Connie is more in touch with nature and hates how the rise of industry is making her surroundings ugly.
There are also discussions about how men like Clifford don't really like women. They see women as their property; there to serve a specific purpose. Connie is Clifford's wife but can only serve as his companion. He can't provide her body the stimulation it craves.
Even though I've always wanted to read this story, I didn't think it would hold my attention, but thanks to Lydia West's amazing performance and Lawrence's many metaphors for orgasm, I was thoroughly entertained. đ€Ł
Moderate: Infidelity and Classism
ellen_suth's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Graphic: Infidelity, Sexism, Sexual content, and Classism
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Antisemitism, and Sexual harassment
riverofhorton's review against another edition
Graphic: Ableism, Body horror, Chronic illness, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Fatphobia, Infertility, Infidelity, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Excrement, Antisemitism, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Cultural appropriation, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Sexual harassment, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
hjb_128's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Graphic: Infidelity, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual content, Pregnancy, and Classism
Moderate: Ableism, Antisemitism, War, and Injury/Injury detail
writeasiread's review against another edition
Graphic: Classism
Minor: Rape and Antisemitism
wordsmithreads's review against another edition
3.0
Graphic: Infidelity and Sexual content
Moderate: Ableism, Cursing, Infertility, Misogyny, and Classism
Minor: Pregnancy
jedore's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Iâve never met the man yet who was capable of intimacy with a woman, giving himself up to her. That was what I wanted. Iâm not keen on their self-satisfied tenderness, and their sensuality. Iâm not content to be any manâs little petsy-wetsy, nor his âchair Ă plaisirâ either. I wanted a complete intimacy, and I didnât get it. Thatâs enough for me.â
Lady Chatterlyâs Lover is a risquĂ© visit to the English countryside just after World War IIâŠfilled with passion, drama, and enlightenment.
It was after I watched the Netflix movie (with Emma Corrin and Matthew Duckett as Lady Chatterly and Mellors, respectively) that I was searching at the beginning of my To Be Read list for my next read. It was an obvious choice!
While the movie focused almost solely on Lady Chatterlyâs marriage and sizzling affair, the book dives deeper into the parallel societal evolution going on at the time (the shift from titled property ownership and farming to industry), as well as sexism, classism, sex, and the (timeless) differences between men and women. Like many classics, there is a fair amount of pontificating, but I found it surprisingly relatable and enlightening.
Fortunately, the book doesn't shy away from steamy sex scenes and has the added perk of covering the philosophical aspects of romantic relationships. Though, Lawrenceâs obsession with âloins,â âwombs,â and âbowelsâ was definitely chuckle-worthy and mildly distracting.
As a woman who was stifled on the âgood girlâ path for 39 years, I was cheering Lady Chatterley on and reveling in her newfound physical AND emotional intimacy with Mellors. You go, girl.
Graphic: Infertility, Infidelity, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual content, Medical trauma, and Classism
Moderate: Pregnancy
Minor: War
reubenlb's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Cursing, Sexism, Sexual content, and Classism
Moderate: Pregnancy
Minor: Antisemitism
kaanda's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Sexual content and Classism