mredington 's review for:

The French Lieutenant's Woman by John Fowles

4.0

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The literary inventiveness of TFLW is something to behold on its own but combined with an intriguing story and clever writing, it soars to new heights. Fowles was introduced to me through the Magus and I immediately took to his strange, fantastical, winding style. Though a more conventional story, this novel kept my interest from beginning to end, never ceasing to entertain. The way Fowles takes the typical Victorian love genre and spins it on its head is quite incredible and witty; I love how the reader is pretty much taken through his writing process while at the same time engaged in a fictional plot. While it's not supposed to be historical fiction per say, I actually came away with more insight into the culture and life during the Victorian period. He is meticulous in painting a luscious picture of life back then and as someone who studies history, I found it quite accurate. The themes of love, feminism, sexuality, societal pressures and male ego/personality, are explored with biting and smart commentary. If you're looking for a novel that will engage you in a unique reading experience, TFLW is worth checking out.