Reviews with content warning for Classism - O Amante de Lady Chatterley

I’ve never met the man yet who was capable of intimacy with a woman, giving himself up to her. That was what I wanted. I’m not keen on their self-satisfied tenderness, and their sensuality. I’m not content to be any man’s little petsy-wetsy, nor his ‘chair à plaisir’ either. I wanted a complete intimacy, and I didn’t get it. That’s enough for me.”

Lady Chatterly’s Lover is a risqué visit to the English countryside just after World War II…filled with passion, drama, and enlightenment.

It was after I watched the Netflix movie (with Emma Corrin and Matthew Duckett as Lady Chatterly and Mellors, respectively) that I was searching at the beginning of my To Be Read list for my next read. It was an obvious choice!

While the movie focused almost solely on Lady Chatterly’s marriage and sizzling affair, the book dives deeper into the parallel societal evolution going on at the time (the shift from titled property ownership and farming to industry), as well as sexism, classism, sex, and the (timeless) differences between men and women. Like many classics, there is a fair amount of pontificating, but I found it surprisingly relatable and enlightening.

Fortunately, the book doesn't shy away from steamy sex scenes and has the added perk of covering the philosophical aspects of romantic relationships. Though, Lawrence’s obsession with “loins,” “wombs,” and “bowels” was definitely chuckle-worthy and mildly distracting.

As a woman who was stifled on the “good girl” path for 39 years, I was cheering Lady Chatterley on and reveling in her newfound physical AND emotional intimacy with Mellors. You go, girl.

Content Warnings

reubenlb's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional reflective tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

smut for the antiquated - at times dated, but also refreshingly relevant for today (bringing children into an overpopulated capitalist society), when you can actually make it through the slog that’s the middle of the novel

Content Warnings

kaanda's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional reflective slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

This book tends to drag on at certain points though its observations and descriptions were interesting at times. Old timey smut with random deep reflections of the aristocracy and class divide.

Content Warnings

snohwhyman's review against another edition

Go to review page

2.0

Content Warnings

khnleesi's review against another edition

Go to review page

slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

0.5

WAAAAAAAR IS OOOOVEEEEER!!

i can't believe this got published, not because there's a lot of smut and therefore "shocking" and "scandalous" to the eyes of the 1920's era, but just because it's terribly and horribly boring AND disgusting; why would you as a publisher want people this piece of trash?? why?

"you found it appalling? it came out in 1928 what did you expect?"well too much apparently!

so much for wanting to read the book before watching the movie adaptation............

Content Warnings

khoystoboy's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark emotional mysterious reflective sad medium-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? Yes

3.5

Interesting read but unfortunately not my style. It was tiringly slow in the first third but picked up quite a bit when the ACTUAL lover appeared on the scene. I found Connie (Lady Chatterly) somehow not quite believable/shallow as a character but Mellors and Mrs Bolton had some interesting depth. Not exactly your typical love affair story but I would stay away if you find sex descriptions disturbing or off-putting.

Content Warnings

meecespieces's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging emotional reflective slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Content Warnings

More...