“Subject of an infamous obscenity trial, Lady Chatterley’s Lover is now regarded as one of the pivotal novels of the twentieth century.”

NO MAJOR SPOILERS

D.H. Lawrence’s novel; Lady Chatterley’s Lover was first published privately in Italy in 1928, and was not published openly in the UK until the 1960’s.

The book which was banned in many places, caused a lot of scandal due to its sexual nature. D. H. Lawrence’s novel became notorious for its explicit nature and use of profanity.

However the book’s reception has very much changed in recent years. The decreased stigma of sex and swearing has meant the book’s shock factor has less impact than when it was first published.

The book itself made interesting reading, particularly if you consider how differently it would have been originally received. The vocabulary used (other than the four letter words) is complex and allows readers to become better readers, and learn new words. The writing style switches back and forth from large passages of complex conversation with Lady Chatterley’s husband; Clifford, to the simple language used in conversation with Lady Chatterley’s Lover. The change in writing styles successfully portrays the differences between the two characters and their different classes.

Although the novel begins a little slowly, once Lady Chatterley has met her lover the book moves at a slightly faster pace. This pace is still slowed in places by long passages of speech with Clifford.

Coming to the end of the novel, the pace picks up speed again and a lot of events are revealed all at once in a climatic ending.

Despite the book’s changing reception and reputation, D.H. Lawrence’s novel still draws in plenty of readers, with its powerful story.

Reviewed by:

Catherine Muxworthy, Booksbirdblog

Added 29th August 2015

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Catherine Muxworthy

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