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saintsaens's review against another edition
reflective
sad
fast-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
3.5
I am quite conflicted about this book. I can see why it's deemed a classic, and how impacting it can have been at its publication in 1928 considering the sexual aspect of the narrative and the conflict regarding love and class. I can appreciate the writing style, the evolution in Mellors's character regarding love and women, and Connie, and the themes of nature vs industry, love vs sex, classism etc. At the same time, there are many things which did not sit right with me (how dismissive of the other women's experiences Mellors is - and how Connie barely blinks at it-, how she doesn't care that Mellors doesn't want a child and yet finds herself with one, how no one gives a damn about the kid that Mellors already has alive and kicking near him - that one was a shock when I thought back on it after closing the book-)... without even touching on the racism/antisemitism/orientalism peppering the book, there are enough aspects that made me wonder about it to not make it a great read.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Lesbophobia, Domestic abuse, Chronic illness, Colonisation, and Physical abuse
Minor: Racism, Antisemitism, and Abandonment
khoystoboy's review against another edition
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
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Classism, Domestic abuse, and Emotional abuse
zosiablue's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-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
Well. I had a lot of feelings reading this! First, it's the book every kid knows is filthy, but I didn't read it until age 42. It definitely would've felt VERY dirty if I read it as a kid. Second, it felt like the eroticism was clickbait to get to his real point: classism and socialism and feminism, and hating rich people, ambition, and status. Which, yeah man! Third, like main character Mellors switches between his Derbyshire and posh accents, it felt like the writing was sometimes very bad and then sometimes very brilliant. Maybe this was an editing thing!
Regardless, it was a funny little book that affected me even though none of the characters were likable. And in fact, many of them felt unsettling. (Connie's dad??)
And I was expecting a different ending! But the ending we got is good.
Regardless, it was a funny little book that affected me even though none of the characters were likable. And in fact, many of them felt unsettling. (Connie's dad??)
And I was expecting a different ending! But the ending we got is good.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Classism, Sexism, Sexual content, and Infidelity
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Ableism, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, and Pregnancy
Minor: War
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