Sons and lovers

I had forgotten how beautifully written this is . Eager to start the next D.H Lawrence.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

2 people found this helpful

Excellent narrator

I started of reading this book on my kindle. I liked the story so I thought I would get it as an audio book to listen to when I am in bed as I have trouble sleeping. I have listened to it a few times but what makes the book special is the narrator. Paul Slack brings the book to life.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

Stunning Novel and Terrific Audio-Book

This is a stunning novel and equally terrific audio-book. Please take it to you. Set is working class Nottinghamshire amongst interesting people, every aspect of the novel is immediate, alive and vibrant. This is enhanced by the frequent, unashamed use of the natural speech and local dialect of the area. This will not alienate listeners. The performer of this wonderful audio-book is perfect; his own background is of the area and so the voice is authentic, persuasive and fits this novel as a glove. Paul Slack as performer is keen to ensure the author’s voice comes through without any untoward interpretation of it. It is astonishing. At near 17 hours listening this audio-book is a true bargain. (It is good to see Paul Slack performing other D H Lawrence novels on Audible too.) The novel’s relationships, feelings, hopes, fears – every aspect of life in the 50 years since first meeting this book as an 18 year old, I find them now all the more remarkable. It remains one of my most favourite novels, though some of my judgements have shifted. This is the telling of life as it is without middle-class niceties and politeness throwing a veil over life as it is lived. There is emotional turmoil, but there is love and fun, enormous tenderness, and a striking vibrancy that is hard not delight in. The writing of people in a small working class town, satellite to Nottingham is joyous. The way D H Lawrence is able to appreciate nature and the works of man – even the industrial – as something to behold and value is striking. These are what I prize the novel for and will return to it again, no doubt at all, in the future. The plot of the novel has the artistic and sensitive Paul Morrell as its centre-point. It charts his key relationships defined by the title of the novel. His freedom is difficult to achieve until the conclusion of the novel. For me, I found myself far less sympathetic, even critical, of the character than when in my late teens. His relative emotional immaturity and a selfishness with arrogance I found more prominent. It may be my own fault that I did not appreciate the author holding these up to the listener or reader disagree with back then rather than to support unquestionably. It is no surprise to me that one of Lawrence’s key models for one of the characters cut off all links with him when she read the book’s proofs. The listener will find their emotions and minds fully engaged with this novel, and they will long remember it and likely take it to themselves as very special and to be treasured.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

stunning, masterful

A masterful exploration of human struggle in relationships. Beautiful, heartfelt narration. I wish that there was a sequel.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

meodramatic

I was glad when the audible book finished. The story although beautifully read, was meodramatic, overrated and intensely dull.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!