Sons and Lovers by DH Lawrence

[kelby_lake]

By far the best Lawrence novel I've read, and I'll be surprised if the ones I haven't read top it.

It's a semi-autobiographical work, following the Morel family but centering mainly on Paul Morel, one of the younger sons. He has two love interests in his life, both of which are very different: the first is the spiritual Miriam and the latter is Clara, a married suffragette. But the woman most important in his life is Gertrude Morel, his mother. Her presence is felt throughout the novel and Paul struggles to escape her. The extent of the Oedipus complex is debatable (sentences like 'His mother kissed him in a long, fervent kiss' hint at a strong, though one-sided one- and is the name 'Gertrude' suggesting something?) but nevertheless, the novel is wonderfully claustrophobic. It's not bogged down with philosophy or smutty- well worth a read.

[country doctor]

guess what? you're right...at least in the doc's estimation...this stands head and shoulders over his other 'masterpieces'...

one of the best books written in the 20th century...take it from the doc...after all, he's a doctor...

[Virgil]

Possibly the best bildingsroman ever. Way better than Joyce's Portrait of an Artist with which it's frequently compared to.

[.Kafka]

Psychoanalysis aside, as I am sure you can illustrate it more coherently in relation to the story than I can, Lawrence's descriptions are nothing short of staggeringly magical. There were moments I could taste coal, and sit with Paul as he would paint. Lawrence must have been possessed while writing or it, or intoxicated, or just a genius. Each word glows. Each line has been touched by spiritual mechanisms working on and outside of the novel.

[kelby_lake]

Psychoanalysis aside, as I am sure you can illustrate it more coherently in relation to the story than I can, Lawrence's descriptions are nothing short of staggeringly magical. There were moments I could taste coal, and sit with Paul as he would paint. Lawrence must have been possessed while writing or it, or intoxicated, or just a genius. Each word glows. Each line has been touched by spiritual mechanisms working on and outside of the novel.

Definitely. It actually feels like a gripping novel as opposed to "Didn't I have a miserable life, hey?" I love Miriam's character :)

[Sebas. Melmoth]

I've always thought Sons and Lovers was Lawrence's best novel.
It has some very lovely word-painting, and the human relationships are true to life (though reality is no recommendation for fiction).

Some have tried to extrapolate something odd in the relationship between the main character and his mother, but I see nothing wrong there.

~~~~~~~~~

On the other hand (as an aside), this past week it was reported that at some distant resort in India a 16 year old European lad cut his mother's throat.
Now, I feel certain there's a story there...

[Paulclem]

Yes, the deterioration of Paul's Mother with his Father is a strong theme in the book. I think I remember reading that Lawrence came to accept his own Father and appreciate him more later in life. The class tension between the middle class mother and the working class mining Father is palpable.

[Dark Muse]

Though I am not on the band wagon of thinking this is Lawrence's best novel, it is still a great book and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it.

[Sebas. Melmoth]

I found the euthanasia scene at the end especially moving.

[SilentMute]

I'm not a fan of D.H. Lawrence, but I do like--in this story at least--the development of the characters over time...and how you can watch them become the people they do by their experiences.

Of course, sometimes it was depressing for that very reason.

[kelby_lake]

I found the euthanasia scene at the end especially moving.

Definitely.

[Buh4Bee]

I have read DH Lawrence’s The Rainbow. I was impressed by Lawrence’s deeply developed understanding of women. I think it would be interesting to read something focusing on the male character’s point of view, as it seem Sons and Lovers does.