The Lost Girl: Library Edition

Rating:
Summary: Patchy stuff
Review: "The Lost Girl" is the story of Alvira Houghton, who lives in a small Midlands town with her father, a draper. Mr Houghton undertakes various schemes to get rich quickly, each one more unrealistic than the others. Meanwhile, Alvira fears that she will end up a spinster, yet finds herself unable to make a commitment to any of the men who pursue her, that is until the Italian Ciccio arrives.

This is one of Lawrence's less-renowned novels, and was completed some years after it had been started. Indeed, I thought that towards the end, Lawrence's style was more mature than in the earlier sections of the book, thus betraying the times it was written. Therefore I felt that it was a disjointed work - for example, in the middle section (in which Ciccio first appears, and Alvira's interest in him grows) the plot drifts, as if Lawrence could not work out any resolution.

Despite these problems, I thought that there were interesting themes in "The Lost Girl", such as Alvira's fear of taking any action to resolve her predicament, as if the very fact that she had choices tortured her. I suppose one could draw parallels to existentialist thought, the tyranny of choice. Alvira is consumed by the need to be active in her life choices, and distressed by the mores of the society in which she operates. Lawrence rails against this in the early parts of the novel, criticising women for being so passive, for expecting others (men) to meet their needs for them.

Ciccio, being foreign, is not constrained by English social values, and therefore can provide Alvira with one way out of her impasse. Yet it's up to each reader to decide whether or not she has made the right choice in the end. Or is she still paying a high price for her earlier indecision?

Not a great example of Lawrence's work - it's too patchy for that, but it has its points of interest.

G Rodgers

Rating:
Summary: Patchy stuff
Review: "The Lost Girl" is the story of Alvira Houghton, who lives in a small Midlands town with her father, a draper. Mr Houghton undertakes various schemes to get rich quickly, each one more unrealistic than the others. Meanwhile, Alvira fears that she will end up a spinster, yet finds herself unable to make a commitment to any of the men who pursue her, that is until the Italian Ciccio arrives.

This is one of Lawrence's less-renowned novels, and was completed some years after it had been started. Indeed, I thought that towards the end, Lawrence's style was more mature than in the earlier sections of the book, thus betraying the times it was written. Therefore I felt that it was a disjointed work - for example, in the middle section (in which Ciccio first appears, and Alvira's interest in him grows) the plot drifts, as if Lawrence could not work out any resolution.

Despite these problems, I thought that there were interesting themes in "The Lost Girl", such as Alvira's fear of taking any action to resolve her predicament, as if the very fact that she had choices tortured her. I suppose one could draw parallels to existentialist thought, the tyranny of choice. Alvira is consumed by the need to be active in her life choices, and distressed by the mores of the society in which she operates. Lawrence rails against this in the early parts of the novel, criticising women for being so passive, for expecting others (men) to meet their needs for them.

Ciccio, being foreign, is not constrained by English social values, and therefore can provide Alvira with one way out of her impasse. Yet it's up to each reader to decide whether or not she has made the right choice in the end. Or is she still paying a high price for her earlier indecision?

Not a great example of Lawrence's work - it's too patchy for that, but it has its points of interest.

G Rodgers

Rating:
Summary: A Touching, Soul-Searching Novel
Review: I recently got done reading this wonderful, yet forgotten novel of Lawrence's. Truly compelling in it's intricate details of a young woman trying to find herself. Literally. She goes on the 'universal' self journey and discovers that she was lost and finally finds her identity and sensuality in the man she loves. D.H. Lawrence has a wonderful way of not wrapping up the ending in a nice,neat little package. As always, Lawrence is the ultimate man of mystery, sensual needs and desires. A "must read" for those who love to read Lawrence and for those who never have!

Rating:
Summary: Soul Searching
Review: Just like SISTER CARRIE, THE LOST GIRL is about a young woman searching for her place in the world. Meaning, floucing from one man to another, flirting, playing, getting engaged then dashing away for fun. And just like JEANNIE GERHARDT, this old man gets herself in trouble.

But the most fascinating part of this book is it's glimps into her background. How she was brought up in a wealthy and rich household, only to try out different occupations against her father's wishes, then ends up as a lower classed female in life. Very tragic.

Rating:
Summary: Extroidinary Novel
Review: This book was beautifully and passionately written. It is a love story unique and philosophical. Do we choose our own fates? Alvina will tell you.

Rating:
Summary: A Wonderful Find
Review: This book was given to me on the last day of High School in 1972 by a girl friend. I've kept this book ever since and it ranks up there with my all time favorite books even though I agree with one other reviewer that this is not the best example of Lawrence's work. However, with that said, this book also has a heart and tenderness that really meant something to me. I'm amazed no one has ever written a screenplay of this work since it's worth it. It was the only book Lawrence ever won a prize for, which says something about it. Take a chance and read it.

Rating:
Summary: A Wonderful Find
Review: This book was given to me on the last day of High School in 1972 by a girl friend. I've kept this book ever since and it ranks up there with my all time favorite books even though I agree with one other reviewer that this is not the best example of Lawrence's work. However, with that said, this book also has a heart and tenderness that really meant something to me. I'm amazed no one has ever written a screenplay of this work since it's worth it. It was the only book Lawrence ever won a prize for, which says something about it. Take a chance and read it.