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The Life of D.H. Lawrence
Since his death in 1930 at the age of 44, D.H. Lawrence has become a legend as both a writer & a man. In The Life of D.H. Lawrence, Keith Sagar has written an authentic, vivid biography, drawing on the 5500 Lawrence letters now available, & the many accounts of him by his relatives, friends & contemporaries. He tells the story directly & dramatically, revealing the dynamics of Lawrence's worldwide quest (both as traveler & as 'thought-adventurer') for a way of life he could recognize as both fully human & deeply religious. The book is illustrated throughout with 150 pictures, many in color, including those of his friends & associates, places he lived in & wrote about, & his paintings. Keith Sagar has written not only about Lawrence the creator of some of the finest works in every genre of modern literature, but also the creator of 'that piece of supreme art, a man's life'.
256 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1980
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
April 12, 2020
To start with I am not a fervid fan of the writings of D. H. Lawrence. I find his stories overly preaching and at times ranting – can you please just tell me a tale without all your personal adornments.
The author of this book can be overly fawning, but he provides enough examples that allow the reader to formulate his/her own opinion.
D.H. Lawrence and his wife Frieda were constantly on the move – within England, then to France and long sojourns in Italy – and then to the United States (mostly New Mexico) and Mexico. Lawrence was a hater – no sooner would he arrive someplace that within a week or two he would start to despise it. Despite the authors’ repeatedly telling us that Lawrence was a peace-loving harmless type – he and Frieda had a physically tempestuous relationship with altercations that led to physical fights and objects being tossed at each other.
Lawrence was also a utopian – and wanted to set-up a communal colony with some of his friends, but with himself in charge. This is likely one of the reasons for his wanderings – more so to out of the way places.
Page 126 (my book) from Fantasia of the Unconscious (from 1922)
We can’t go on as we are. Poor, nerve-worn creatures, fretting our lives away and hating to die because we have never lived. The secret is, to commit into the hands of the sacred few the responsibility which now lies like torture on the mass. Let the few, the leaders, be increasingly responsible for the whole. And let the mass be free, save for the choice of the leaders.
Leaders – this is what mankind is craving for.
But men must be prepared to obey, body and soul, once they have chosen the leader.
All the author (Keith Sagar) has to say about this rather fascist diatribe is “Lawrence was forced into this extremity by the depth of his caring. He sought the quickest way out of the City of Destruction, which was Western Civilization.”
The overall writing of this biography is choppy. The book does have good portrayals of Lawrence’s friendships and relationships, more so with Frieda. We are also provided with the many locations, along with photographs, of where he resided. I found the analysis of Lawrence’s literary output perfunctory. I would also have liked to know more of how Lawrence was surviving financially as I got the impression that he was sponging off of his many friends and devotees.
Lawrence has to be admired for breaking through the prudishness of English culture – less so for his philosophical/theological ramblings on communes and leadership.
The author of this book can be overly fawning, but he provides enough examples that allow the reader to formulate his/her own opinion.
D.H. Lawrence and his wife Frieda were constantly on the move – within England, then to France and long sojourns in Italy – and then to the United States (mostly New Mexico) and Mexico. Lawrence was a hater – no sooner would he arrive someplace that within a week or two he would start to despise it. Despite the authors’ repeatedly telling us that Lawrence was a peace-loving harmless type – he and Frieda had a physically tempestuous relationship with altercations that led to physical fights and objects being tossed at each other.
Lawrence was also a utopian – and wanted to set-up a communal colony with some of his friends, but with himself in charge. This is likely one of the reasons for his wanderings – more so to out of the way places.
Page 126 (my book) from Fantasia of the Unconscious (from 1922)
We can’t go on as we are. Poor, nerve-worn creatures, fretting our lives away and hating to die because we have never lived. The secret is, to commit into the hands of the sacred few the responsibility which now lies like torture on the mass. Let the few, the leaders, be increasingly responsible for the whole. And let the mass be free, save for the choice of the leaders.
Leaders – this is what mankind is craving for.
But men must be prepared to obey, body and soul, once they have chosen the leader.
All the author (Keith Sagar) has to say about this rather fascist diatribe is “Lawrence was forced into this extremity by the depth of his caring. He sought the quickest way out of the City of Destruction, which was Western Civilization.”
The overall writing of this biography is choppy. The book does have good portrayals of Lawrence’s friendships and relationships, more so with Frieda. We are also provided with the many locations, along with photographs, of where he resided. I found the analysis of Lawrence’s literary output perfunctory. I would also have liked to know more of how Lawrence was surviving financially as I got the impression that he was sponging off of his many friends and devotees.
Lawrence has to be admired for breaking through the prudishness of English culture – less so for his philosophical/theological ramblings on communes and leadership.
March 7, 2008
A fun, illustrated biography of D.H. Lawrence. The text left a lot to be desired, but the original quotes by D.H. Lawrence and people close to him, plus many photos made up for it. Good book to loan from the library. Made me want to check out his book of paintings, which were amazingly tender, sensual, warm, and modern, even though he didn't have any training in painting and started rather late. An amazing life cut way too short...44!!! He really was ahead of his time, and didn't live to see the amazing success and longevity of is works.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews