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ellisinthetardis's review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
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? It's complicated
1.75
FINALLY a negative review on this damn account đ
i picked up this book thinking it would be a fun period drama with sex and scandal. largely, it was that, but minus ANY fun.
lawrence no doubt has some shining moments, especially when writing about nature, but it is so hard to enjoy them whilst being bombarded with opinions that would make a Fox News pundit cringe. the book is so abhorrently misogynistic (and at least a sprinkle of every other prejudice you can think of) that even when the gamekeeper shows Connie, his love interest, the slightest bit of respect, itâs hard not to recall the multiple instances where he refers to her simply as a piece of âc*ntâ TO HER FACE.
tl;dr: this classic that upheaved the boundaries society had set on literature does not stand the test of time, ultimately unenjoyable due to the authorâs abhorrent views voiced through the titular âlover.â
i picked up this book thinking it would be a fun period drama with sex and scandal. largely, it was that, but minus ANY fun.
lawrence no doubt has some shining moments, especially when writing about nature, but it is so hard to enjoy them whilst being bombarded with opinions that would make a Fox News pundit cringe. the book is so abhorrently misogynistic (and at least a sprinkle of every other prejudice you can think of) that even when the gamekeeper shows Connie, his love interest, the slightest bit of respect, itâs hard not to recall the multiple instances where he refers to her simply as a piece of âc*ntâ TO HER FACE.
tl;dr: this classic that upheaved the boundaries society had set on literature does not stand the test of time, ultimately unenjoyable due to the authorâs abhorrent views voiced through the titular âlover.â
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism
ellen_suth's review against another edition
challenging
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? Yes
2.0
Do yourself a favour and just watch a modern adaptation. This book is too angry and self-important to really deliver on the premise of a meaningful romance. Every time you start to like Connie or Mellors, they have to snap you out of it by going on a rant about the gulf in nature between men and women, the evils of modernity, or how putrid and soulless the working class is. Very much a product of its time, with casual racism, homophobia and a LOT of antisemitism to boot. As other reviews have said, I donât think weâd bother with it now if it hadnât caused such a stir for its obscenity. There are some valuable insights into sexuality and good old British classism here that are very cutting for a book and writer of this era and I find it admirable that Lawrence clearly had a strong empathy for the women of his time, which can be seen in his writing of Connie.
Unfortunately, the book is markedly more icky and uncomfortable than the adaptations I have seen on the front of consent, though. Nothing is ever outwardly non-consensual but Mellors does seem to almost take advantage at vulnerable moments for Connie, which was really off-putting for me, having only seen adaptations where Connie was definitely the instigator.
I just donât think youâre missing anything by opting for an adaptation instead - youâll get all the same themes in a fraction of the time and without having to endure Mellors trying to make himself unlikeable at every opportunity by spouting one of Lawrenceâs belligerent rants about how cold and unloving women are. It is pretty amusing though to finish a description of Mellors lasting all of ten seconds in the act while Connie lies there like a blow-up doll and then on the next page he goes on a rant about how women donât like sex. Seems like a skill issue, brother.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Sexism, Sexual content, and Classism
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Antisemitism, and Sexual harassment
riverofhorton's review against another edition
I found it far to dense on the politics, which would be fine had I wanted to read this for the politics. I don't say this often, but I found the (more recent) film to be far more enjoyable than the book.
Content Warnings
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
barefootsierra's review against another edition
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity and Lesbophobia
Moderate: Animal death, Cursing, Homophobia, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexism, Toxic relationship, and Pregnancy
Minor: Gun violence, Rape, and Murder
hjb_128's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- 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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual content, Pregnancy, and Classism
Moderate: Ableism, Antisemitism, War, and Injury/Injury detail
aduda06's review against another edition
emotional
funny
medium-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
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Sexism, and Sexual content
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
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.
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 thatâs the middle of the novel
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Sexism, Sexual content, and Classism
Moderate: Pregnancy
Minor: Antisemitism
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
penguinna's review against another edition
emotional
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
1.0
Written in 1928, this book was banned for 30 years due to obscenity and explicit sexual scenes. It was the forbidden fruit, and let's be honest, the only reason anyone bothered picking it up.
This book tells us about Connie, who marries the rich baronet Clifford Chatterley. Shortly after their wedding, Clifford goes to war and returns with paralyzed legs. Connie slowly transforms from a loving wife into his servant, her feelings fading away. Every day of her existence is gray and meaningless until she meets Mellors, Cliffordâs poor, low-class gamekeeper.
This novel was a challenge to the public moral standards of that time. The author addresses stigmatized topics such as divorce, female pleasure, and the absurdity of the class system. Nevertheless, I could never be happier to finally finish the book.
The main character is absolutely boring and has no personality, and Oliver Mellors, Connieâs lover, has made me sick since the very beginning. The violent way he treated his daughter and Connie herself, the disgusting sexist, homophobic, and racist things he was saying made me actually hate him. However, according to Connie, Mellors is the epitome of a âtrue man,â and the novel presents his traits as a beacon of pure, precious honesty that goes in contrast with all the fake manners of aristocracy. What were intended to be romantically beautiful scenes served as glaring red flags, making my eyes roll.
Despite the bookâs significant role in literature, I could not stand it. Lady Chatterleyâs Lover, once a big challenge to societal norms, has aged very poorly. I strongly recommend not wasting your time on this.
This book tells us about Connie, who marries the rich baronet Clifford Chatterley. Shortly after their wedding, Clifford goes to war and returns with paralyzed legs. Connie slowly transforms from a loving wife into his servant, her feelings fading away. Every day of her existence is gray and meaningless until she meets Mellors, Cliffordâs poor, low-class gamekeeper.
This novel was a challenge to the public moral standards of that time. The author addresses stigmatized topics such as divorce, female pleasure, and the absurdity of the class system. Nevertheless, I could never be happier to finally finish the book.
The main character is absolutely boring and has no personality, and Oliver Mellors, Connieâs lover, has made me sick since the very beginning. The violent way he treated his daughter and Connie herself, the disgusting sexist, homophobic, and racist things he was saying made me actually hate him. However, according to Connie, Mellors is the epitome of a âtrue man,â and the novel presents his traits as a beacon of pure, precious honesty that goes in contrast with all the fake manners of aristocracy. What were intended to be romantically beautiful scenes served as glaring red flags, making my eyes roll.
Despite the bookâs significant role in literature, I could not stand it. Lady Chatterleyâs Lover, once a big challenge to societal norms, has aged very poorly. I strongly recommend not wasting your time on this.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Rape, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Homophobia, Misogyny, and Sexism
Minor: Animal cruelty and Racism
Rape is shown as something very romantic