Lady Chatterley's Lover Audiobook By D. H. Lawrence cover art

Lady Chatterley's Lover

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Lady Chatterley's Lover

By: D. H. Lawrence
Narrated by: Veronika Hyks
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Lady Chatterley's Lover, written in 1928, tells the story of a passionate love affair between an upper class woman and her husband’s gamekeeper, which was thought to be so shocking in its content and its straightforward use of explicit sexual terms, that it was not officially published until 1960. Its 1961 second edition contained this dedication from the publisher: "For having published this book, Penguin Books were prosecuted under the Obscene Publications Act, 1959 at the Old Bailey in London from 20 October to 2 November 1960. This edition is therefore dedicated to the twelve jurors, three women and nine men, who returned a verdict of 'Not Guilty' and thus made D. H. Lawrence's last novel available for the first time to the public in the United Kingdom."

Now firmly established as a classic of English literature that was written well before its time, what saved it from being banned for ever was its literary merit, upheld by some of the most distinguished writers and critics of the time. Lawrence’s prescient musings on the changes in society and his authentic depiction of two unhappily married people, finding in this most unlikely and potentially doomed coupling the physical and emotional balance that they both crave, are as relevant today as they were then. Have a listen!

Public Domain (P)2005 Wordsworth Editions Limited Classics
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This story follows Lady Chatterly, the bored, confused, and possibly clinically depressed wife of a crippled baronet in post-WWI England. The prose is a curious mix of Harlequin romance euphemisms ("she came to her own crisis") and frank description (copious use of the f- and c- words). This book was shocking for its time, probably for the explicit love scenes and language as well as discourse about the class system of England at the time, mostly disparaging towards those who would preserve the peerage as it was. However, I found myself glazed over during large chunks of it, partly because the heroine is so fluffy and uninteresting. The way she is voiced, too, makes her character seem to be perfectly lacking in any modern empowerment in a way that makes her somewhat repulsive. When she does take a lover, she is like an insecure teenager, constantly demanding that "you do love me, don't you?" and eventually bringing about his downfall by insisting he burn a photo of his wife and leaving (unknown to him) her personal belongings around his house as a way to claim him. Sure, we've all been there, but we've mostly grown out of it by the age of 29 (Connie's age).

The narrator does a pretty good job of bringing out "dialect," the way the lower class spoke at the time, even though at times I was hard pressed to understand what she was saying. That's something you couldn't get from reading it. She also makes Connie sound like a trembling insecure airhead and Lord Chatterly sound like a condescending fool, which is probably not far off the mark.

I'm glad I listened to this book, since it is a classic, but I must admit I didn't find the story very compelling and found little to sympathize with the characters. I was more interested in whether Clifford would find an updated use for his coal than if Connie was pregnant.

shock language to cover a boring slice of life

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With all the fuss about 50 shades I thought it would be good to go back to the most contentious novel of its time - and one I had never read. Lawrence uses the sex to illustrate two worlds clashing: the sophisticated, well-informed and utterly sterile world of the landed gentry in post WWI England and the earthy, honest, horny world of the staff working for them. It is a predictable plot, but the characterisation is what sets it apart. DHL creates vivid characters with real concerns, vital passions and sometimes hopeless lives. He writes with intimacy and this has led to the huge reaction from critics and sensors. You'd get rougher language on the back of a Sunday newspaper but you'd have none of the social commentary and the carefully dissected social structure. Go on and read it - if you can wrestle it away from your granny. The narration is absolutely fantastic - it is sometimes difficult to imagine the speaker is a woman, her modulation is so dynamic. Extra Brownie points to Veronika Hyks - much of the enjoyment of the novel is due to her acting ability.

When two worlds collide

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It was a rare treat. I love the story, and the performance enhances it. In short, marvelous.

Simply fabulous.

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I would have soooo appreciated this back when I first was an English Lit student reading DHL... dialect sucks to read. I don't care what level writer you are. How much more emotion and story did this put out not having that stupid spelling and brain confusion translating every fifth word. Go audiobooks! And you don't need me to review DHLawrence. He's a master of relationships and words... enjoy a classic for a change, even if it is one of the more eyebrow raising ones.

50 Shads of Literacy

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Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I might, if that friend weren't too shy about sexual content and wanted to read a classic book. But when I think of books to recommend in general, this doesn't come to mind.

What did you like best about this story?

I liked her spirit. It was such a dismal world and existence, with her house and husband, etc... yet she didn't let that ruin her life. She was too free thinking and bohemian for the confines of her neglectful marriage and cold relationships. So she explored and eventually found happiness - and did what she had to in order to keep it, despite the cost (which was significant, especially in those times). The first half of the book was a little slow for my tastes, but I liked the second half more, as the plot picked up, as did her romance. I had little to no sympathy for her husband, or the physically 'dead' intellectuals of her society. I was unhappy about Mellors' wife, but am glad she found support from her family. Despite the constantly dismal surroundings and unresolved issues, it still left me with the hope that they would find a way to be together in the future. I can see why it was so controversial for so long, though it is downright tame by today's standards of printable material.

Have you listened to any of Veronika Hyks’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I have not heard other works performed by Hyks, but I thought her narration here was fantastic.

She found a bright spot in the her dismal world

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Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I read this book in high school and after a very disappointing experience with 50 Shades (even the sex scenes couldn't make up for the weak writing), I turned to lady Chatterley. Veronika Hyks is an intoxicating storyteller. This seductive story can't be beat.

Soooooo much better than 50 shades

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Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I recommend this book to anyone and everyone, there is something for everyone in it. There is wonderful love, tender and caring, there is passion, there is grief and sadness, and the whole story has withstood the passage of time.

What did you like best about this story?

The characters and plot are indicative of life at the time.

What about Veronika Hyks’s performance did you like?

The narrator's voice is perfect for the story and she reads it with all the inflection it deserves.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I didn't want to stop listening, even though i know the book well, i stoll wanted to immerse myself in this lovely rendition.

Worth listening to over and over again

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it's a great story , it lies in a triangle among De sade, Jane Austin and Virginia Woolf. Erotically stimulating and an enjoyable Midland ride. That aside, I regret picking this audio version. The narrator's voice is sleepy and her accent portrayal is very clunky. I should've gone with John Lee's.

the genesis of the erotic

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What did you love best about Lady Chatterley's Lover?

I revisit this story once a decade. Giving away my age, this is my forth visit. What I love is the passion between Connie and Mellors which transcends the rigid class system in England at that time, and how this unexpected and forbidden love frees them both from the dreary, lonely lives that circumstance has trapped them in.

What did you like best about this story?

What I enjoy the most about this story is how Mellors earthy attitude towards sex shocks Connie yet leads her to discover, accept and ultimately revel in her own sexuality.







What about Veronika Hyks’s performance did you like?

Having read this book many times I was nervous that listening to it might not meet my expectations and ruin the story for me. I need not have worried.Veronica Hyks made this story come alive. Lady Chatterly was portrayed perfectly as a young woman in love and Ms Hyks did a wonderful job with Mellors use of vernacular. Even lesser characters took on a life of there own.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I am always moved when Lady Chatterly cries over the baby pheasants lamenting her unfulfilled life and her empty womb.

Any additional comments?

If you should choose to listen to this book, I hope you enjoy it as much as I.

Revisiting a well loved classic

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Would you consider the audio edition of Lady Chatterley's Lover to be better than the print version?

I don't think I could make it through the print version. The narration brought the characters to life, and the animated drama made the story more engaging.

Any additional comments?

I enjoyed Lawrence's insight and forward thinking about class, gender and sexuality. Impressed such an explicit book was written, with a female protagonist, when it was and understand why audiences would have found it shocking and unprintable until 1960. It's a timeless, great read and is sure to spark intelligent conversation.

compelling classic

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