irinamoraru

'Sons & Lovers', published in 1913, is widely regarded as DH Lawrence's first masterpiece as it was this work that brought him worldwide fame and recognition. Despite that encouraging note, I strongly feel that 'Sons & Lovers' should be read only if you want to experience the sensation of having your spirit crushed. Already in the early chapters (ie., not past 15 pages), Lawrence is fast getting down to gloomy business with such sentences as: "And looking ahead, the prospect of her life made her feel as if she were buried alive." More such bleak descriptions are dominant throughout the novel, and though Lawrence attempts to end on a positive note, by then, it feels like a stab in the dark. A solitary consoling paragraph, no matter how emotively expressed, is too little, too late: the damage and despair have been irrevocably stamped into the reader's consciousness and cannot be withdrawn or mitigated. The novel's protagonist, Paul Morel, is deeply conflicted, emotionally stilted and innately cruel, and he is one of the most unlikeable literary characters I have ever encountered. That's why it is also rather unsettling to know that some critics have highlighted the narrative as being semi-autobiographical in nature. In fact, the entire cast is made up of severely dysfunctional, deluded, overly-emotional and unsympathetic characters. Throughout the book, Lawrences uses the word "suffering" to describe them -- whether it's to do with the situation, their disposition, their feelings, or perceptions. Despite the occasional heavy-handed use of that single word, I found it hard to sympathise with any of the characters, even Miriam, who somewhere along the way, convinces herself that she loves Paul. Of course, she is devoted to him for all the wrong reasons, and regards herself almost as a martyr making the ultimate sacrifice. So, for all the "suffering" she endures, it is hard to pity her since her unhappiness is entirely self-inflicted and avoidable. The fact that she is all too aware of this and insists on being miserable makes it even harder to sympathise with her. Therein lies the biggest problem with Sons & Lovers. As a reader, I could not like or identify with a single character in the book. And then, there was the niggling sense of utter despair and hopelessness resounding from start to finish... I could clearly see the uselessness and depravity on the horizon; nothing would be resolved and there was no hope of redemption for any of these poor fictitious souls. Indeed, I caught myself at times wondering why I was even making the effort to reach the inevitably futile conclusion of this senseless melodrama. Perhaps, the characters themselves had rubbed their trait of unnecessary suffering off on me. Truth be told, Lawrence is a good writer who is able to evoke powerful emotions in the reader. However, while I was undoubtedly drawn into the story, the effect it had on me was unpleasant and even downright disturbing. If you should seek to have your heartstrings tugged at, or be moved to tears or compassion by plight and pain, then I recommend Hardy's 'The Mayor of Casterbridge' (Jude the Obscure, while also a stirring and emotive read, may be too depressing for some). Well, the only uplifting thing about this book is that I own a small and beautifully bound hardcover edition, published by Collector's Library. Classics in this series are an aesthetic delight (I have several other titles, 'Mayor' amongst them as well), complete with book jacket, red ribbon bookmark, and gold flecked edges. Alas, my copy of 'Sons & Lovers' falls victim to that old cliche, "don't judge a book by its cover". While a beauty to look at, there is really not much else besides.

2023-06-24 21:58