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evieolive's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
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
4.75
hadeanstars's review against another edition
5.0
A real delight, and completely engrossing. I was utterly transported by this novel and wouldn't hesitate to recommend it. It's somewhat akin to Thomas Hardy, but with adult themes.
The great trick of the work is that its characters are so completely human, unfinished, illogical, at war with themselves. Morel is no hero, and seems eminently dislikeable, a true Venus-Uranus sleep-walker if ever there was one, Clara and Miriam I had plenty of sympathy for. Most of all I felt sympathy for Morel Snr. alienated from his children whilst living in the same home. What an exposition of the Sun-Pluto mother and wife this is, emasculating her husband at every opportunity, but in the most covert manner imaginable.
Without doubt a work of genius, nuanced, believable, not always likeable but certain to really draw you in. And as a portrait of pre-war working class British life, it must be unparalleled. The simplicity, drudgery and beauty of it all is inescapable.
The great trick of the work is that its characters are so completely human, unfinished, illogical, at war with themselves. Morel is no hero, and seems eminently dislikeable, a true Venus-Uranus sleep-walker if ever there was one, Clara and Miriam I had plenty of sympathy for. Most of all I felt sympathy for Morel Snr. alienated from his children whilst living in the same home. What an exposition of the Sun-Pluto mother and wife this is, emasculating her husband at every opportunity, but in the most covert manner imaginable.
Without doubt a work of genius, nuanced, believable, not always likeable but certain to really draw you in. And as a portrait of pre-war working class British life, it must be unparalleled. The simplicity, drudgery and beauty of it all is inescapable.
theodoreeeeeeads's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
An interesting novel! DH Lawrence hooks you in and takes you down a long and complex path exploring human relationships and the effects of parenting, love, lust and loss.
Freud walked so this book could run. This book is the poster-boy for Oedipus and a Sigmund sensation. Paul is the ultimate red-flag mamas boy, sacrificing nearly everything for his mum.
I found the abstract ideas about love difficult at times, for example him belonging to someone and having someone and loving someone are all different things. The fickle emotions and how quickly the characters flitted between loving someone and hating someone was strange but interesting to read about.
It hooked. me. in. So much better than Lady Chatterlys lover.
The ending was light where it couldve been dark but when it came it was underwhelming.
At times it was giving Morrissey.
At times it was giving Morrissey.
lilylanie's review against another edition
3.0
I don't know what to think of this book. The characters were some of the most annoying I've ever encountered, but also some of the most vividly depicted. I found the descriptions of work and place and everyday life fascinating, and much more 'modern' than I expected. Though the book was certainly not 'racy' like I was led to believe Lawrence's works are.
sophles's review against another edition
1.0
This book stole valuable minutes of my life, and I want them back. Perhaps I accidentally kept going back over the same five pages, but this book just seemed to repeat itself ad infinitum. I think I got perhaps half way through, after what felt like 5000 pages of him sitting in bushes with Miriam thinking about his mother. I had to choose between finishing this book, and retaining what was left of my sanity. Do not read unless you currently feel you do not have enough boredom in your life.
elliottnorton's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-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