D.H. Lawrence's Short Stories Thread

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Originally Posted by jlb4tlb

Does any of the esteemed posters know of a good on line (print editions as well} bibliography of Lawrence's short stories. Knowing the time period of the stories writing can be extremely important. The same holds true in music, painting and other visual arts as well.

Jeff

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Jeff, do you mean a critical analysis of the stories or just a bibliography with timeline? I did buy one critical analysis book online from Amazon that deals with Lawrence's early fiction and this includes some of the early short stories, this would tell you the dates, as well. Other than that I would have to tell you to run a search through Amazon for Lawrence books and you may find one. I have about 22 books connected to Lawrence and a couple of borrowed books, on top of this. There is one book that deals with the time periods in particular; such as the years these stories were written and compares them to what Lawrence was doing at the time and/or where he resided. I think this book is now out of print, so one must search for a 'used' one online or at a used bookstore - good luck.
If you want I can list the two books I have just mentioned in this post. As far as free commentary or bibliograhy online, I don't think you will find this too readily, but you could try running a search in Google - you just never know what will surface. I have run many myself and found some very interesting sites; even some obscure ones by hunting back several pages in the listings. One is the Nottingham University site - which I have posted the address in these L threads several times now. It is wonderful for Lawrence's biographical information. Let me know if you can't find it, and I will re-post this link for you -it is a great site!

If you have any questions on Lawrence's biography I know quite a lot now, so does Virgil. I read three biographies and I am planning a 4th and 5th one soon. The man's life is totally fascinating.

One more thing on the story "Sun." In his last work before he died (Apocalypse), a philsophic book that kind of explained a lot of his philosophy, Lawrence wrote the following:

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Perhaps the greatest difference between us and the pagans lies in our different relation to the cosmos. With us, all is personal. Landscape and the sky, these are to us the delicious background of our personal life, and no more. Even the universe of the scientist is little more than an extension of our personality, to us. To the pagan, landscape and personal background were on the whole indifferent. But the cosmos was a very real thing. A man lived with cosmos, and knew it greater than himself.
Don't let us imagine we see the sun as the old civilisations saw it. All we see is a scientific little luminary, dwindled to a ball of blazing gas. ... We may see what we call the sun, but we have lost Helios forever, and the great orb of the Chaldeans still more. We have lost the cosmos, by coming out of responsive connection with it, and this is our chief tragedy. What is our petty little love of nature – Nature!! – compared to the ancient magnificent living with cosmos, and being honoured by the cosmos!
-- Apocalypse, V

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I think he had this in mind as he wrote the short story a few years prior.

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Originally Posted by Virgil

One more thing on the story "Sun." In his last work before he died (Apocalypse), a philsophic book that kind of explained a lot of his philosophy, Lawrence wrote the following:



I think he had this in mind as he wrote the short story a few years prior.

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Thanks for posting this Virgil. As you know I read "Apocalypse" and I was actually quite fascinated with the book. This does explain more clearly Lawrence's affinity with the sun and his reasons for writing this short story.

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Originally Posted by Dark Muse

To me it seems almost to be bittersweet, I do not know about others, but with me, when I am on vaccation there is always that part that is torn when it nears an end, on the one hand you wish sometimes you could just stand and it would never end, but another part does look forwrd to returning back to thinks you know and remember.

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Dark Muse, Yes, I too felt there was an element of 'bittersweetness' in the ending, knowing things would not be as they were before, when Juliet could worship or bask alone in the sun freely with her child. I think, too, she had a kind of realm of privacy that she probably never felt she had before, and now she would feel had been invaded and would be lost. It is something like the feeling one gets at the end of a vacation knowing one must now return to the quote 'normal' world of existence. That was a good analogy. There is a certain let-down knowing the time away is nearing it's end.

Are we done with this short story "Sun"? I just wanted to say to Virgil that it was an excellent choice and I think we all seemed to like it very much. It was quite unique and different, being as a sort of long prose poem, in style. Will Lawrence cease to amaze us?

Yes it was a good choice and I must thank Janine for making me aware of it and this discussion. I rather enjoyed this story and look forward to reading more.

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Originally Posted by Janine

Thank you for you compliment on my wording.:)
:lol: Hey, Virg, I thought you always said the biography was not significant(?)...one has to separate the author from his work....just opposite what I usually do.;)

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I was thinking of you when I said that and had a feeling you would catch me in my use of his biography. ;) I still don't think it makes the story better or worse, but it is an interesting observation.

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Originally Posted by Janine

Are we done with this short story "Sun"? I just wanted to say to Virgil that it was an excellent choice and I think we all seemed to like it very much. It was quite unique and different, being as a sort of long prose poem, in style. Will Lawrence cease to amaze us?

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I don't have any more to say on "Sun." If everyone is finished discussing it we can move on to Dark Muse's suggestion of "The Man Who Loved Islands." I remember that being an interesting story.

OK - geez... I was going to put merely 'ok'... then a window popped up saying my message was too short. I was going to post another one saying the last one is the shortest post I have ever had.....:lol:

Ok, instead I will answer Dark Muse and say that I am delighted you came into the discussion and glad you are looking forward to the next one. I was also happy to see Jeff commenting and hope he also returns for the next story. I always try to recruit new Lawrence people, just ask Virgil.;) I work hard at the task; new faces are always exciting.

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I was thinking of you when I said that and had a feeling you would catch me in my use of his biography. I still don't think it makes the story better or worse, but it is an interesting observation.

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Yeah right, sure Virgil....hummm...just posting that for my sake....am I suppose to believe this really....?:lol:

I am ready for the next story; is that one in Volume 3? I am sure I have that one here in one of my books. Tell me when you wish to start - perhaps Monday?

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Originally Posted by Janine

Yeah right, sure Virgil....hummm...just posting that for my sake....am I suppose to believe this really....?:lol:

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No really, it was the truth.

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I am ready for the next story; is that one in Volume 3? I am sure I have that one here in one of my books. Tell me when you wish to start - perhaps Monday?

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That sounds good. It will give us the weekend to read it. Yes it is in volume three. Let me see if I can find it on the internet. Somehow I don't think we will on this one.

edit: I found it!! It is on the internet: http://www.literature.org/authors/la...-09/index.html

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Originally Posted by Virgil

No really, it was the truth.

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Oh silly me; you know I read that statement of yours wrong. I thought it said you posted the biography reference for my sake. I just read it again...oops:blush:

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That sounds good. It will give us the weekend to read it. Yes it is in volume three. Let me see if I can find it on the internet. Somehow I don't think we will on this one.



edit: I found it!! It is on the internet: http://www.literature.org/authors/la...-09/index.html

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Oh good. Good work finding it online, Virgil. How you locate these things is beyond me and free. I went hunting for my actual paperback book and it is eluding me; volume 3. It is around here somewhere; had to tear my room appart yesterday, so that the guy taking out my airconditioner from the window, could find a small path to that window:idea: . All the books got stuck here and there around the room and I failed to put the room back together today....excuse is have to clean the window (now that it is assessable) ugh...also other things in the area. More fun being on here. ;) :lol:

Virgil's choice was great, I enjoyed both reading "Sun" and taking part in the discussion. As you know, I have recently read "The Man Who Loved Islands" so when the discussion is about to start, PM me and I will be there. May I say that this is a great choice too?

I look forward to reading the next story and will print it out today.

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Originally Posted by amalia1985

Virgil's choice was great, I enjoyed both reading "Sun" and taking part in the discussion. As you know, I have recently read "The Man Who Loved Islands" so when the discussion is about to start, PM me and I will be there. May I say that this is a great choice too?

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Hi Amalia, So glad you already read it. It is a long story - but I was reading it last night between watching a movie - you see my stupid DVD player is on the blink and keeps stalling every 30 or so seconds, so I just glanced at the story and read a paragraph between. Now that is what I call really 'multi-tasking'! Nothing like overloading one's brain:eek2:

What I want to say is I actually read about 1/3 so far and I like it very much. Somehow the story tone reminds me of Lawrence's story "Things" which I like very much. I think I can sort of see where this story is going to lead us. Yikes, I am starting to think like DHL! ;) Do you think that is overexposure to the author?:lol:

Dark Muse, hi and glad you are happy with the choice. Glad that Virgil found it online for everyone; thanks again, V. If it was not as long as it is, I would print it out, too; maybe mark certain passages. I think, actually, I read this story years ago, but re-reading any L work is a whole new adventure. They never tire me at all and seem as fresh after two or even three readings. So far I really like this story about the man on the island. I love the sea and islands anyway.

I had wanted to do a few more of the earlier stories, but I guess sometime we can backtrack to that time-period. We have so quickly progressed to Lawrence's later work with Volume 3 of the "Collected Short Stories".

You're moving on already? I'm going to be two stories behind by the time I rejoin the thread. Someone's going to have give me an abbreviated summary of the discussion when I come back so I'm not completely in the dark.

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Originally Posted by Quark

You're moving on already? I'm going to be two stories behind by the time I rejoin the thread. Someone's going to have give me an abbreviated summary of the discussion when I come back so I'm not completely in the dark.

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Hi Quark,glad you see you back and don't worry about it..missing the two stories. You can catch up eventually. I am so fanatically stuck on Lawrence's work lately, I can discuss more about the other stories or summarize them for you. I am sure Virgil will come to your aid, as well. Yes, I actually thought of taking a break this next story, but now once again, became intrigued in starting to read the story, and I want to read it all, so I am still in. It is a good one!

Hurry back as soon as you can...we all miss you!

Sorry, I am lagging behind again with my reading. I did not progress any from the other night. I got so busy and still am. I hope everyone else is still reading the story. Maybe we can get started discussing next week?

I'm way lagging too. I have yet to start. Sorry, but completely overwhelmed right now.

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Originally Posted by Virgil

I'm way lagging too. I have yet to start. Sorry, but completely overwhelmed right now.

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Virgil, you know, I really wanted to skip this month and postpone till January. I feel too pressured already with Christmas coming. Do you think the others would mind? I haven't been feeling well either. I hate to miss this story but if we could delay it it would be so much better for me and apparently for you, too.

I would not mind if we delay it, as it might be a better discussion if people are not busy and preoccupied with the holidays comming up, so I would be fine with that.

I don't mind. Dark Muse, do you mind if we start after Christmas?

edit: You beat me to it. :)

Virgil and Dark Muse, thanks for being so understanding. Already, I feel the holiday crunch or tension, and I know my mind is not going to be on this thread whole-heartedly. I luckily, already did read the Christmas book, so I could probably discuss some aspects of that one and review a little. I am sure amalia will be in agreement and manolia, as well. I guess just Jeff and Quark are left and I am sure they will agree. Gee, we are such an agreeable group, aren't we? :D So it will be in January for the read, Virgil? Shall we make an announcement? or it this good enough.

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Originally Posted by Janine

Virgil and Dark Muse, thanks for being so understanding. Already, I feel the holiday crunch or tension, and I know my mind is not going to be on this thread whole-heartedly. I luckily, already did read the Christmas book, so I could probably discuss some aspects of that one and review a little. I am sure amalia will be in agreement and manolia, as well. I guess just Jeff and Quark are left and I am sure they will agree. Gee, we are such an agreeable group, aren't we? :D So it will be in January for the read, Virgil? Shall we make an announcement? or it this good enough.

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OK, we are officially on break. We will read "The Man Who Loved Islands" as our January Lawrence short story read.

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Originally Posted by Virgil

OK, we are officially on break. We will read "The Man Who Loved Islands" as our January Lawrence short story read.

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Thanks Virgil, I really needed this break! Yeah! :D

I'm in favor of it too!!! Pretty busy with exams right now!!! January would be ideal!!!

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Originally Posted by amalia1985

I'm in favor of it too!!! Pretty busy with exams right now!!! January would be ideal!!!

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Great, Amalia, thanks! Everyone is so considerate. :)

Fine by me finished "Islands" today.

Jeff

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Originally Posted by jlb4tlb

Fine by me finished "Islands" today.

Jeff

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Jeff, ok, to delay then; thanks for being so understanding. We are all so busy with holiday stuff. How was the story? Interesting? Hope you enjoyed it. We will be back in here in January to discuss it. J

Greetings all

It is my hope that everybody had a great Christmas and a hppy new year.

I for one would enjoy resuming our discussions on the stories of D.H.L. At this time I am reading Maugham's "Of Human Bondage" very good but not up to "Sons and Lovers."

Anybody else up to some short fiction chat?

Jeff

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Originally Posted by jlb4tlb

Greetings all

It is my hope that everybody had a great Christmas and a hppy new year.

I for one would enjoy resuming our discussions on the stories of D.H.L. At this time I am reading Maugham's "Of Human Bondage" very good but not up to "Sons and Lovers."

Anybody else up to some short fiction chat?

Jeff

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Hi Jeff, glad you see you back here with your avid interest in Lawrence works. Hira has emailed me about the next short story, questioning when it will begin. Good news is that we are gearing up for the next round of Lawrence discussions! Most likely they will begin on Monday, but all of us can start reading the story now; hopefully we will complete reading in a few days time. I talked to Virgil, and he said he would read this next story: "The Man Who Loved Islands" this weekend; he would start posting on Monday. This coincides nicely with my own schedule, since I am finishing up the Christmas read of "Fathers and Sons"; I have but one or two chapters, to read tonight, and then I will be done with the book and can post some comments in that repective thread and proceed to my Lawrence reading.

Jeff, I hope you had a fine holiday, too. If you are like me, you are adjusting to getting back to normal routine and recovering from all the holiday rush. Happy New Year to you and everyone here.

How interesting, "Of Human Bondage", I saw the film and thought I might like to read the book someday. You will have to let me know how it was when you complete it. However, my current plans include two more Lawrence books, that I will be reading independently, so I don't have the time for another novel right now. One is a more obscure work, of the time period when he and his wife resided in Australia (Lawrence traveled extensively to many countries to live) entitled "Kangaroo". The second book will be a re-reading for me of "The Rainbow". I will try to read that in a few months and hopefully start a thread on it. I hope you and others can join in, since you enjoyed "Sons and Lovers" so much. Jeff, have you read "Women in Love"? That is a very fine book, as well. In reality "WIL" is the sequel to "TR" but the order in which one reads them is not at all significant, in my opinion.

This is great, discovering more Lawrence enthusiasts! :thumbs_up

Cannot wait untill the discussion starts, now if only I can remember the story, LOL.

I loved The Rainbow.

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Originally Posted by Dark Muse

Cannot wait untill the discussion starts, now if only I can remember the story, LOL.

I loved The Rainbow.

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Yes, it should be great! We have so many new Lawrence fans. You must have been posting, Dark Muse, just as I was revising my post (see above). DM, it is good to see you back here again. Wow, everyone is really anxious to get started. I often re-read these stories, because I find I can post better and see more of the details, symbols and themes, after two read-throughs. I would consider that option, since we have until Monday, or at least to review the text quickly, if you have limited time.
I think the text is here online, so that we can use it to quote certain passages. I can't wait now to read the story; what I had read so far greatly interested me. I will start over again, because definitely I don't recall too much about the story. I need to refresh my own memory.

DM, I hope you can join in when we have our discussion group on "The Rainbow". I know it is Virgil's favorite Lawrence novel, or at least it was, before we read and discussed "Women in Love". I think he still puts it, as his favorite, but "WIL" was a close second. It has been years since I read the book. Anxious to get back to it this year.

See you all soon. Have a nice weekend! :)

Oh great. We will start soon. I'll need the weekend to read the story and we'll start discussing it right after if that's ok with all. Happy holidays all.

Hey guys!! It's been a while since I came here :D
I was just checking the thread, and found out that you're reading The Man Who Loved Islands. It was one of the short stories I read at the beginning of this year, as I wanted to join you for the discussion, but hardly had a time to come online, so I read a book of short stories that I had. Since everyone is having the weekend off, and I kinda forgot the story(since it's been a year since I read it), I'll get a head start, and read it starting from today (which is officially MY weekend..lol). I'll hopefully come online and join the discussion.

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Originally Posted by Nossa

Hey guys!! It's been a while since I came here :D
I was just checking the thread, and found out that you're reading The Man Who Loved Islands. It was one of the short stories I read at the beginning of this year, as I wanted to join you for the discussion, but hardly had a time to come online, so I read a book of short stories that I had. Since everyone is having the weekend off, and I kinda forgot the story(since it's been a year since I read it), I'll get a head start, and read it starting from today (which is officially MY weekend..lol). I'll hopefully come online and join the discussion.

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Great to have you join us Nossa. I look forward to your thoughts. :)

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Originally Posted by Virgil

Great to have you join us Nossa. I look forward to your thoughts. :)

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Virgil, glad you will be part of the discussion, between your time on the Aeneid thread.

Nossa, I second what Virgil said. So glad you will join us. Wow, our Lawrence group has certainly grown! I am so glad to see all this interest; it is a good intelligent group. :thumbs_up
I probably read this story, years ago, but now I will be reading it during the coming weekend...that starts tomorrow night here.;) Actually, will try to start it tonight - I just finished the Christmas book read....better late than never, I guess.:lol:

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Originally Posted by Janine

DM, I hope you can join in when we have our discussion group on "The Rainbow". I know it is Virgil's favorite Lawrence novel, or at least it was, before we read and discussed "Women in Love". I think he still puts it, as his favorite, but "WIL" was a close second. It has been years since I read the book. Anxious to get back to it this year.

See you all soon. Have a nice weekend! :)

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Sounds interesting, I will have to keep an eye for when that starts.

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Originally Posted by Dark Muse

Sounds interesting, I will have to keep an eye for when that starts.

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It will be awhile from now....hey, but great! :thumbs_up

I will let you know at the time, DM.

Cool I will look forward to it

Great! Glad you will be in the discussion.

Hi Everyone! I started the story again last night and today I reached part II. I really love the story so far. I am happy to be back reading Lawrence again! I love the way he describes the islands, and the flowers particularly interest me. Lawrence, himself, was an avid botonist and studied it extensively in college and his work is always so peppered with lovely floral descriptions; no wonder. He truly knew his flowers and plants, and at times I feel again, as in "Sun" that I am reading a long epic poem....it flows like poetry. I particularly was interested in the man in the story (who seems to be nameless) taking time to rename all the flowers and plants on the island, in their Latin names. I have a garden of my own and a friend has a great garden and I have always been envious that she can so easily name the various flowers and plants, with their Latin names.

I think some of the decriptions of the austerity and separateness, isolation of the island is interesting as well, as the idea of it being as a ship out to sea. This was mentioned during a storm, I believe.

Hope everyone does not mind me making a few preliminary comments. I will read more tonight and I am sure I will finish the story before the weekend is through....I am enjoying it very much....now that all the reading and holiday pressure is off.

I am going out now, so I will check in later on tonight. You can all wait until Monday to post or post some comments now, if you wish to.

I'm done with part one too. I'll hopefully start reading Part II tonight :D Can't wait for the discussion.:D