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lakiesha's review against another edition
dark
reflective
slow-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
2.5
bean27's review against another edition
5.0
Absolutely insane. Maddening, messy perfection.
During the first third I was feeling disappointed, feeling that the Rainbow was infinitely better. But that changed as I kept reading.
Lawrence truly understands human relationships and the contradictory nature of true feelings.
Also, I think you have to read both The Rainbow and Women in Love to get a full picture.
During the first third I was feeling disappointed, feeling that the Rainbow was infinitely better. But that changed as I kept reading.
Lawrence truly understands human relationships and the contradictory nature of true feelings.
Also, I think you have to read both The Rainbow and Women in Love to get a full picture.
mysteriesofmar's review against another edition
4.0
well, i didn't see any of that coming.
in all fairness, i read this book not knowing it's technically a sequel, but that didn't detract from my enjoyment. i didn't read the first book of the series (and i don't think i ever will, unless a copy magically lands in front of me for free) but this book can be enjoyed without much backstory in my opinion. the two sisters (ursula & gudrun) come from the first book and are probably more explored in the first book, so maybe don't skip it if you don't want their background first.
there are a few twists in this book that i hadn't seen coming. in fact, one of the big plot points went completely over my head and when i realised it, i couldn't believe that i hadn't noticed earlier. there were some parts of the book that moved slow while the action occurred rather quickly and curtly, which can be painful for some people, so i would avoid this if you hate that kind of movement. but, either way, it unfolds well and is a good read overall.
full review to come on the blog.
in all fairness, i read this book not knowing it's technically a sequel, but that didn't detract from my enjoyment. i didn't read the first book of the series (and i don't think i ever will, unless a copy magically lands in front of me for free) but this book can be enjoyed without much backstory in my opinion. the two sisters (ursula & gudrun) come from the first book and are probably more explored in the first book, so maybe don't skip it if you don't want their background first.
there are a few twists in this book that i hadn't seen coming. in fact, one of the big plot points went completely over my head and when i realised it, i couldn't believe that i hadn't noticed earlier. there were some parts of the book that moved slow while the action occurred rather quickly and curtly, which can be painful for some people, so i would avoid this if you hate that kind of movement. but, either way, it unfolds well and is a good read overall.
full review to come on the blog.
glock_shmee's review against another edition
5.0
Critical, exploratory, opulent! What a treat to have and hold this book. Reading it took me literally years, but I am so glad I savoured every part and truly understood every moral argument and temperament that was laid out.
I loved it and I completely understand if anyone hates it for being so chewy and hard to read. It answered and started so many questions around why we love and how we act in partnerships, friendships etc. Time to watch the movie and hopefully not ruin this special feeling I have.
I loved it and I completely understand if anyone hates it for being so chewy and hard to read. It answered and started so many questions around why we love and how we act in partnerships, friendships etc. Time to watch the movie and hopefully not ruin this special feeling I have.
liv_acting's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
tense
slow-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
4.25
sarah_nera's review against another edition
2.0
I didn't love DH Lawrence as much as I thought I would.
hadeanstars's review against another edition
5.0
The best novel I've read this year, and it's instantly into my top 5. Top 3? Only Hemingway's For Whom the Bell Tolls comes close to this in recent memory. You cannot compare them of course, they are both works of complete power and beauty.
Haunting, strange, intense and beautiful are all words which describe some aspect of the experience of reading this. In my view it's a more profound work than Sons and Lovers or maybe I should say that it is less conventional, and more beautiful. I could happily read it again, in spite of the haunted and sad feeling with which I was left upon completing it. It's also a difficult novel. Much of the interplay between the main characters is intense and in Birkin's expositions in particular, there are difficult and almost intangible concepts which require intense concentration to decipher. For the first third of the novel I have to admit, I was flummoxed by this. I even became slightly irritated with the author, it seemed as though Lawrence was trying to show how clever he was - not least because the character of Birkin was allegedly so nearly autobiographical, and it grated until I began to understand Birkin a little better. Ultimately he was consistent and true, and that became clear and comfortable once I had got to know him.
And not all of the concepts are easy either. The format and character of love between men is a major theme of the book. Not that this is a 'difficult' theme, only that Lawrence seemed to be on a precipice himself. It was documented that Lawrence experimented with homosexuality at the time of writing, and his wandering confusions about his own sexuality are all too clear. All the beauty and magnetism is owned by the men of the story. The women are by comparison, although not exclusively, mundane and drab, like birds of paradise.
Ultimately, this is a stunning, brilliant and beautiful novel that makes most other books I have read this year seem a little childish and shallow, even if they are not. This seems to me to demonstrate what a giant Lawrence was and remains. I will certainly read more.
Haunting, strange, intense and beautiful are all words which describe some aspect of the experience of reading this. In my view it's a more profound work than Sons and Lovers or maybe I should say that it is less conventional, and more beautiful. I could happily read it again, in spite of the haunted and sad feeling with which I was left upon completing it. It's also a difficult novel. Much of the interplay between the main characters is intense and in Birkin's expositions in particular, there are difficult and almost intangible concepts which require intense concentration to decipher. For the first third of the novel I have to admit, I was flummoxed by this. I even became slightly irritated with the author, it seemed as though Lawrence was trying to show how clever he was - not least because the character of Birkin was allegedly so nearly autobiographical, and it grated until I began to understand Birkin a little better. Ultimately he was consistent and true, and that became clear and comfortable once I had got to know him.
And not all of the concepts are easy either. The format and character of love between men is a major theme of the book. Not that this is a 'difficult' theme, only that Lawrence seemed to be on a precipice himself. It was documented that Lawrence experimented with homosexuality at the time of writing, and his wandering confusions about his own sexuality are all too clear. All the beauty and magnetism is owned by the men of the story. The women are by comparison, although not exclusively, mundane and drab, like birds of paradise.
Ultimately, this is a stunning, brilliant and beautiful novel that makes most other books I have read this year seem a little childish and shallow, even if they are not. This seems to me to demonstrate what a giant Lawrence was and remains. I will certainly read more.
daisynissen's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
It was disappointing and quite hard to read at times.
The beginning was the best part of the book.
The beginning was the best part of the book.
katys_books's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
spukschloss's review against another edition
4.0
It kind of dragged at the end but wow…… “I don’t believe that”