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jedore's review against another edition
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
- 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
I’ve never met the man yet who was capable of intimacy with a woman, giving himself up to her. That was what I wanted. I’m not keen on their self-satisfied tenderness, and their sensuality. I’m not content to be any man’s little petsy-wetsy, nor his ‘chair à plaisir’ either. I wanted a complete intimacy, and I didn’t get it. That’s enough for me.”
Lady Chatterly’s Lover is a risqué visit to the English countryside just after World War II…filled 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 Chatterly’s 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, Lawrence’s obsession with “loins,” “wombs,” and “bowels” was definitely chuckle-worthy and mildly distracting.
As a woman who was stifled on the “good girl” path for 39 years, I was cheering Lady Chatterley on and reveling in her newfound physical AND emotional intimacy with Mellors. You go, girl.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infertility, Infidelity, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual content, Medical trauma, and Classism
Moderate: Pregnancy
Minor: War
reubenlb's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- 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
smut for the antiquated - at times dated, but also refreshingly relevant for today (bringing children into an overpopulated capitalist society), when you can actually make it through the slog that’s the middle of the novel
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Sexism, Sexual content, and Classism
Moderate: Pregnancy
Minor: Antisemitism
kaanda's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- 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
This book tends to drag on at certain points though its observations and descriptions were interesting at times. Old timey smut with random deep reflections of the aristocracy and class divide.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Classism
pokay's review against another edition
emotional
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? It's complicated
2.0
If this book hadn’t been banned it would not have gotten popular. Also this couple is for sure breaking up.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Homophobia, Sexual assault, and Sexual content
snohwhyman's review against another edition
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexual content, and Medical trauma
Moderate: Homophobia, Sexism, Pregnancy, and Classism
Minor: Racism and Lesbophobia
theloosepage's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity and Sexual content
khnleesi's review against another edition
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
0.5
WAAAAAAAR IS OOOOVEEEEER!!
i can't believe this got published, not because there's a lot of smut and therefore "shocking" and "scandalous" to the eyes of the 1920's era, but just because it's terribly and horribly boring AND disgusting; why would you as a publisher want people this piece of trash?? why?
"you found it appalling? it came out in 1928 what did you expect?"well too much apparently!
so much for wanting to read the book before watching the movie adaptation............
i can't believe this got published, not because there's a lot of smut and therefore "shocking" and "scandalous" to the eyes of the 1920's era, but just because it's terribly and horribly boring AND disgusting; why would you as a publisher want people this piece of trash?? why?
"you found it appalling? it came out in 1928 what did you expect?"well too much apparently!
so much for wanting to read the book before watching the movie adaptation............
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Sexual content, Antisemitism, Gaslighting, and Classism
khoystoboy's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-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
3.5
Interesting read but unfortunately not my style. It was tiringly slow in the first third but picked up quite a bit when the ACTUAL lover appeared on the scene. I found Connie (Lady Chatterly) somehow not quite believable/shallow as a character but Mellors and Mrs Bolton had some interesting depth. Not exactly your typical love affair story but I would stay away if you find sex descriptions disturbing or off-putting.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, and Classism
water_and_shade's review against another edition
reflective
slow-paced
- 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? It's complicated
4.0
As far as classics go, I found Lady Chatterley's Lover to be quite easy to read. I enjoyed the themes of industrialisation, class divide, wealth disparity, sexism and fidelity throughout. It is SAUCY and I can see why it cause such a stir at its time of publication, also was unaware of, and surprised by, the explicit language which I think added to the theme of class divide. Very interesting reading up about the Lady Chatterley trial and the implications it had for freedom of speech in the UK publishing industry. Very cool to see discussion of women's pleasure in a 100 year old book, clearly DH Lawrence was ahead of his time in this regard. Overall, a classic I enjoyed and can appreciate for it's influence on modern literature - I will be adding Sons and Lovers and Women in Love to my TBR.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
meecespieces's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Classism
Minor: Ableism and Misogyny