3.5/5

The first book by D.H. Lawrence that I ever read left me surprised by how unconventional his work is, especially for his time. His prose is rich with imagery and poetically layered. Initially, I found the complex relationships among the Brangwen couples to be somewhat ridiculous; they all love each other deeply yet constantly cause each other pain & caught in their inner turmoil. There are several pages filled with religious musings that I had little interest in. However, as Ursula enters the story, there is a noticeable shift in Lawrence’s writing—it becomes more sensual and sensitive than before. He deliberately writes about sexual desire, yet it all seems abstract and aesthetically pleasing, which I genuinely admire. Despite the plot's shortcomings, D.H. Lawrence reignited my love for twentieth-century English literature after a long hiatus from reading it.