rebeccagee 's review for:

The French Lieutenant's Woman by John Fowles

4.0

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In honesty, combined with other commitments, this book took a long time to read. But when I was reading, I found it hard to put down: the story of a woman who has created her own misery and wallows in it, Sarah was a character I never really understood. But I actually loved the amount of analysis required on the reader's part throughout 'The French Lieutenant's Woman'. All of the characters were a bit detestable, which made it easier to analyse and also to enjoy the story itself without being emotionally caught up in the plight of pettish, boring Ernestina or the ridiculous Charles. Once I'd ploughed through the first ten pages or so the mock-Victorian style was charming. I loved the authorial input and the essay-like comparisons to modern themes and the end was a surprise - although I haven't yet decided whether that was a good thing. Overall, a really good read.