I was surprised that this book was not already reviewed! It was a rage in its days. In fact, DH Lawrence himself was a bit of a revolutionary, though now he pales compared to Sidney Sheldons and Danielle Steeles in the boldness of descriptions.
The topic, as the title suggests, is all about Lady Chatterley and her lover. Marred to a soldier who becomes invalid within a month of their marriage, Lady Chatterley has a platonic relationship and seems to be contented with it, though there is a restlessness that slowly starts creeping in. A casual relationship does not bring her restlessness down and just as despair threatens to tear her apart, she gets into a relationship with the gamekeeper in her husband’s estate.
The rest of the novel deals with their relationship - physical mainly - tinged with emotional fluctations between deep love and distrust. It is a puzzling novel - why so much of stress on the physical relationship?
And contrasting this relationship is the fast deteriorating marriage, where she finds her husband’s dependence on her irritating to the point of wanting to break away. His ’’theories’’ on marriage and sex add to her disgust and seems to drive her closer to her lover.
The style is typical lawrencish - blunt. But, he communicates the restlessness of the soul well. The characters do not evoke sympathy or empathy, but show a fierce independence which his style of narration conveys well enough.
Thankfully, the version I read had a postscript from the author, without which a modern day reader may find it difficult to relate to.
The epilogue also conveys the philosophy of the novel. DH recommends this to 17 years olds. I say, read it when 30, and read it if you are one for literature.