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Lady Chatterley's Lover cover art

Lady Chatterley's Lover

By: D. H. Lawrence, Fern Riddell - introduction
Narrated by: Holliday Grainger, Fern Riddell - introduction
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Summary

In an Audible Exclusive performance, Holliday Grainger lends her voice to a new unabridged recording of Lady Chatterley's Lover, a novel that was banned until 1960 and is now considered to be one of the most renowned love stories of all time. This production features an exclusive introduction written and narrated by Fern Riddell, a cultural historian who specialises in sex in the Victorian and Edwardian eras.

About the book

Dissatisfied by her loveless marriage to a crippled and impotent writer, Constance Chatterley seeks to escape from the confines of their upper class surroundings and the cold and passive relations she endures.

Upon encountering the gamekeeper of Chatterley mansion, Oliver Mellors, Constance is mesmerised and infatuated by his no-nonsense demeanour and passionate touch. The two soon forge a profound bond as a result of their sexual compatibility and sociopolitical views.

Banned until 1960, Lady Chatterley's Lover caused great controversy at the time it was written and was rejected for portraying what was then considered audacious, pornographic content. Of course critical opinion has evolved, and we have now come to see D. H. Lawrence's story as a revolutionary tale and literary masterpiece.

The exclusive introduction to this edition, written and narrated by cultural historian and writer of Ripper Street Fern Riddell, explores historical and contemporary reactions to this groundbreaking novel.

About the author

Lawrence fought hard against the conventions of the early 1900s society, which censored and persecuted those who promoted sexual freedom and challenged tradition. He wanted his writing, unlike his society, to be full of vitality, emotion and spontaneity. In so doing, he also contributed to the liberation of women all over the world who longed to be more than just dutiful wives.

In an obituary notice, E. M. Forster described D. H. Lawrence as 'the greatest imaginative novelist of our generation.'

About the narrator

Holliday Granger first graced our screens at the age of six in the BBC comedy drama All Quiet on the Preston Front. She has since gone on to star in TV programmes such as Waterloo Road, Merlin, The Borgias and Strike.

Holliday's film credits include The Riot Club, Bel Ami and Cinderella. Holliday played the lead role in the 2015 BBC adaptation of D.H. Lawrence's novel. Recognised for her outstanding performance as Constance, and bringing with her the experience of having skilfully narrated Dodie Smith's I Capture the Castle, Holliday excels in capturing the mood and pace of this titillating classic title.

Public Domain (P)2017 Audible, Ltd

What listeners say about Lady Chatterley's Lover

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Brilliant

I’ve always loved this book but almost didn’t listen because of the narrator, I couldn’t imagine her understanding it at all. How wrong I was, she is utterly brilliant, she brings the story and characters alive and introduced an even greater love for the book than ever before. I am going back for a second listen, she is quite hypnotic!

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Great story, well read

This was very well read and the story really came to life - D.H. Lawrence writes beautifully.

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An of its time classic.

This was brilliantly performed. It’s a classic I’ve been meaning to read for a long time. It’s interesting to find out how different it is from the movie and TV adaptations, which aren’t half as detailed. It’s so of its time. How awful attitudes were towards true love, sex and the lower classes just 100 years ago.

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The writing style

Beautiful writing that came alive with the performance. I liked that I could speed it up to.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

Flawed masterpiece well narated

The novel is well worth reading in spite of its structural weaknesses. Holliday Grainger narrates with great competence. She deals well with the Derbyshire dialect and the range of characters. I was not entirely satisfied with her treatment of the third person passages: the narration was too flat for prose which was often elevated.

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Beautifully presented and written.

I really enjoyed this book. It was slow to start with but worth the perseverance. Highly recommended.

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Very radical for its time

This was an insight into how old England was slowly transforming its moral codes.. prudence was being challenged

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brill

Thank you for a wonderful narration ,it brought the book life, thank you very much

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Enchanting

Loved the intensity, well performed by Holliday Granger. What a wordsmith he is, could listen to it again.

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Surprisingly dull considering the hype

Seriously. Even the sex scenes are boring. And there are a lot of long passages that go one about coal mining.

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8 people found this helpful