It is messy, but it’s Lawrence so I could not expect any different. I enjoyed the elements of repetition both in the prose and in the repeating dynamics (Father-Daughter relationships and romantic relationships). However, once one generation progresses we see very little of the generation before, I wish there were more moments like the Anna-Will wedding and Ursula’s relationship with her grandmother. This would give more form to the novel, as it is now, this is Ursula’s story with a very long prologue.

I couldn’t really connect to the dynamics of the two marriages. There was too much internal dialogue and dissection compounding into symbolic moments of realization. His will this, her will that, etc, etc. I keep missing the moments of interaction and actual day-to-day living that really drew me into Sons and Lovers.

Spotted author self-insert: Tom Brangwen