Women in Love

By: D. H. Lawrence

Narrated by: Vanessa Benjamin

Length: 21 hrs and 24 mins

Publisher's summary

"Let us hesitate no longer to announce that the sensual passions and mysteries are equally sacred with the spiritual mysteries and passions," wrote D.H. Lawrence in Women in Love, his masterpiece heralding the erotic consciousness of the twentieth century.

Lawrence explores love, sex, passion, and marriage through the eyes of two sisters. Gudrun and Ursula Brangwen are the two intelligent, incisive, and observant sisters whose temperamental differences spark an ongoing debate regarding their society and their inner lives. The two very different sisters pursue thrilling, torrid affairs, but their search for more mature emotional relationships reveals some startling information about themselves as well as their lovers, Rupert Birkin and Gerald Crich.

Women in Love delves into the mysteries between men and women as these two couples strive for love against a haunting World War I backdrop of coal mines, factories, and a beleaguered working class.

(P)2002 Blackstone Audiobooks

Critic reviews

"One of the 100 best English-language novels." (Modern Library)

Great book, well read

I know that Lawrence is a contested author, but personally, I think that he has undeservedly lost his place among the great modernists. Yes, he can be somewhat too serious at times, and needs to be read with an open mind, but if you choose to give him a chance, you are in for a treat - a dark, pessimistic treat. Benjamin does a wonderful job reading. This is the British version of the novel, so it has a few of the alternations that Lawrence's publisher demanded, if that matters to you.

Compelling

What made the experience of listening to Women in Love the most enjoyable?

I am a poor reader so I love being read to

What was one of the most memorable moments of Women in Love?

All of it

Which character – as performed by Vanessa Benjamin – was your favorite?

The sisters

Who was the most memorable character of Women in Love and why?

The sisters

Any additional comments?

No

Difficult!

Although I enjoyed this story and was very surprised by the ending, the book was *very* difficult for me to get through. The author liked to go into quite a bit of detail regarding clothing, environment, etc. and I often found myself not paying any attention when the detailed descriptions started. I am glad that I read it but was also very glad when it was over.

Emotional intensity

I am a huge fan of Lawrence. This book was tough to read due to the emotional intensity, but I couldn't stop. Engrossing. I was addicted to the story and of course the characters. The exquisitely beautiful language often juxtaposed uncomfortably with desperate human situations.

Unhappiness, Unrelieved

What did you like best about Women in Love? What did you like least?

I liked the development and description of the 4 main characters, Gudrun and Ursula, the eponymous women in love; and Gerald and Rupert (or Birkin, as he is invariably called in the book), the men with whom they are in love.

However, I think it is important not to imagine that the phrase'...in love' brings with it any form of happiness. It most certainly doesn't in this book.

Lawrence is an author who examines the thoughts and feelings of his characters in minute and scrupulous detail. It can be hard to follow the trail of his thinking.

What was most disappointing about D.H. Lawrence’s story?

I think that Lawrence can labour a point, even to the extent of repeating phrases over and over in order to do so. His writing is dense and dark throughout, with little relief from the misery of his characters.

Which scene was your favorite?

The wonderfully described scene of Gerald Crich and Rupert Birkin wrestling naked in front of the fire at Shortlands. Lawrence brings this alive with colour and introspective revelation. I also remember it was a marvellous scene in the Ken Russell movie of the same name.

Was Women in Love worth the listening time?

I am so glad that I listened to it again. I read the book when I was much younger and cannot imagine what I got out of it then! It is such a dark and sombre story written in a style to match - as I listened I could feel the despair of each character when they were thinking about love.

Any additional comments?

Dear reader, do not think that this book will help you to understand women or love except from Lawrence's point of view, And that point of view is dark, dark, dark.

Facinating unsettling view male and female

More mature but more cynical view of the relationship between men and women. A little difficult to get into because of the ironic tone and the more unpleasant characters but very rewarding as we come to know both the men and women better. The narrator is very good and seems to understand the central women characters. Brilliant prose. Disturbing but thought-provoking ending.

Men in Love???

Great narration but I did not understand — it like — any of the characters. I love you but I hate you! I understand ambivalence but not the many dualities expressed.