Reviews

Kangaroo by D.H. Lawrence

hadeanstars's review against another edition

4.0

Not Bert's greatest work imo, but it has its moments. Most illuminating is his certainly autobiographical account of his time in Cornwall during ww1, where he was mercilessly hounded by the British establishment for the crime of having a German wife. The book is worth reading for this alone if you are interested at all in the life of DH Lawrence. Otherwise we have a discussion of the Australian character and a great deal of political reflection, which itself is interesting. Back then things were not complex as they are now. Of course they are not complex now, but people have forgotten that unless they h=own capital then they fall under the aegis of labour. Instead, so convinced have the labourers become that they must be anything but filthy labour, thus they atone for their self-loathing by voting for capital. Nonetheless, even a century ago, it was made somehow complicated because labour was divided and could not decide on how to challenge capital. So, this is a surprisingly political piece of work for Lawrence. He pitches at an explanation of Australia and perhaps he hits the mark, I've never visited so cannot say, but certainly there is some authenticity around the national character herein. Not very easy, but there are shining moments.

ljm57's review against another edition

2.0

One of the books written during Lawrence’s stay in Australia. Not his finest work. Supposedly a novel, it is semi-autobiographical, and is more a self-indulgent philosophical soliloquy than a satisfying read. Overly long at 492 pages, a decent editor could have cut that by 200 pages. Very little happens and much skimming was required to mercifully reach the end. But there were rare literary gems hidden amongst all the navel gazing. The descriptions of the Australian bush, the astute perceptions of the differences between Australian and European society and the comparisons of the state of marriage with ocean currents were all superb.

wrentheblurry's review against another edition

I've read a number of DH Lawrence's books, and loved them all. Yet I did not enjoy Kangaroo; I didn't even make it past the first chapter. This is the first of his novels I read since I was in my early 20s, though I am not sure if my age is related to my inability to like the book. Maybe it's time to revoke my intellectual card, if I ever had one. After all, I strongly prefer Spartacus to Rome, and I thought The Tree of Life was one big stinker of a movie. And now this, despite the fact that Lawrence is such a talented writer. Oh well. Maybe I'd like the movie better? :O

heyimaghost's review against another edition

challenging informative 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? It's complicated

3.5

catiew's review against another edition

2.0

I find DH Lawrence incredibly difficult to review. His prose is gorgeous, and this novel was a beautiful love letter to 1920s Australia.

But he didn't half ruin it with the racism, sexism, anti-semitism and so on.

It's not hard to see why this book is no longer in print.

chairmanbernanke's review

3.0

A decent book about a certain society and some people’s roles.

arpharrison's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective medium-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

leannep's review against another edition

challenging reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Loveable characters? No

2.5

Hard work. Too self indulgent and 'philosophical'. I liked Lawrence as a teenage reader but doubt icould have got through this back then. Did like the descriptions of Australia and can see how that would have been amazing in the 1920s.

tien's review against another edition

1.0

I have only read 3 of his books and I didn't rate them that high (2-3 stars) but this one was the worst. I didn't like the protagonist who, at the beginning of the book, arrived in 'colonial' Australia prepared to dislike everything about it (even if he became attached to the country later, I still didn't like him). He compared the young Aussie men frolicking at the beach to animals and let's just say, the rest of his descriptions of the people were just as flattering. Then he got involved in socialism (which was the thing in Australia at that time) and met the leader who's nicknamed is Kangaroo. Um, what's the fascination with animals there, Mr Lawrence? There was also this weird psychology thing happening that I just didn't understand especially between the protagonist, Richard, and Kangaroo. I don't understand the point of the book... and I didn't like the condescending tone of Richard (to everyone he met, not just Aussies). This would not be one I'd recommend at all.