The Rainbow by D.H. Lawrence

(Brangwen Family #1)

Lush with imagery, this is the story of three generations of Brangwen women living during the decline of English rural life. Banned upon publication, it explores the most taboo subjects of its time: marriage, physical love, and one family's sexual mores.

I cried because of how much I did not want to read this book. (Read it for class! I'm such a happy English major, haha!)

I loved this book & thought that Ursula was a brilliantly written character. It was getting five stars right up until the end parts. I had no problem with the resolution of the plot, but in contrast to the other depictions of love in the book, Lawrence did his old trick of trying to bludgeon me over the head with it. All the delicacy of Ursula's other love got lost amidst the Lawrentian preaching and I got a bit suspicious that I had become dazzled by style over substance. But this is probably why I have such a satisfyingly challenging relationship with him - he is one of the most lyrical, poetic, intimate authors I've read and his work can be incredibly erotic and sensual. Then he swoops down with another tirade about sex and all you can do is cover your head and run !

The Brangwens live on the Marsh Farm. Their men are satisfied, but their woman search for something more. The book follows their story through 3 generations. Tom Brangwen marries a polish widow. Her daughter Anna marries Will Brangwen. Their marriage brings huge struggles about the questions who belongs to whom. Their daughter Ursula finally leads into the new century with her power to change and her will for freedom.