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oldtraine's review against another edition
4.0
In Kangaroo Lawrence recounts his experiences in England during the first world war, tries to reconcile his beliefs about love and relationships with his marriage and friendships, and considers the political trends of the time (the Bolshevik revolution had only just occurred and he had seen the early emergence of fascism during his Italian travels). Poor Richard Lovat wearied himself to death struggling with the problem of himself, and calling it Australia, and yes and it's this struggle that makes this novel very worth reading. It's his response to his experience of the previous five years; I particularly enjoyed the long chapter "The Nightmare" describing how he was harried as a suspected spy in Cornwall and the wonderful descriptions of the Australian landscape, flora and fauna. And there is much to think about Human love, human trust, are always perilous, because they break down. The greater the love, the greater the trust, and the greater the peril, the greater the disaster. Because to place absolute trust on another human being is in itself a disaster, both ways, since each human being is a ship that must sail its own course, even if it go in company with another ship.... And yet, love is the greatest thing between human beings.
nicktraynor's review against another edition
3.0
This was a lot of hard work to finish. It started off readable enough, and showed an uncanny, immediate insight into Australians and the feel of the landscape. Lawrence had a deep connection with nature and in particular with flowers and this is on display again. The indifferent hollowness of Australians, how they are all surface and front, and the malevolent emptiness of the landscape were identified with perspicacity by Lawrence. The character of Kangaroo was grotesque with his mawkish love for humanity.
The initially strong narrative gave way to a psychological retrospective on the protagonist’s experiences during World War I (mirroring Lawrence’s own, no doubt). This showed the author’s flair for poetic renditions of deep psychological experiences, but they stretched over several chapters and disrupted the flow of the novel. When the plot resumed, it seemed a secondary consideration.
My interpretation of the theme of the book is Lawrence’s account of his isolation following the publication of The Rainbow in 1915. Because the novel was accused of obscenity, he was estranged from British society and therefore felt cut off from the national effort during the war. Leaving England in 1919, he travelled in search of spiritual and philosophical fellowship. Kangaroo is the account of his passing through Australia and his fleeting dalliances with Australians. Unfortunately, it comes across as self-absorbed at times and there is a feeling of futility because there is no resolution to the psychological exile.
The initially strong narrative gave way to a psychological retrospective on the protagonist’s experiences during World War I (mirroring Lawrence’s own, no doubt). This showed the author’s flair for poetic renditions of deep psychological experiences, but they stretched over several chapters and disrupted the flow of the novel. When the plot resumed, it seemed a secondary consideration.
My interpretation of the theme of the book is Lawrence’s account of his isolation following the publication of The Rainbow in 1915. Because the novel was accused of obscenity, he was estranged from British society and therefore felt cut off from the national effort during the war. Leaving England in 1919, he travelled in search of spiritual and philosophical fellowship. Kangaroo is the account of his passing through Australia and his fleeting dalliances with Australians. Unfortunately, it comes across as self-absorbed at times and there is a feeling of futility because there is no resolution to the psychological exile.
chairmanbernanke's review against another edition
3.0
A decent book about a certain society and some people’s roles.
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.
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.
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.