Sons and Lovers

This brisk performance of Lawrence's classic brings a complex family story to life, thanks to the contributions of many voices. The full-cast dramatization is an efficient means of providing the plot details, but purists may miss the lavish descriptions of the original novel. However, once lured into the conflicts facing the Morel family, the listener can't help but stay engaged with this story of love, loyalty, and disillusionment. What will happen when an unhappy marriage impacts the lives of its children? With an enthusiasm reminiscent of old radio dramas, the many voices are skilled at capturing the ear and holding one's attention. L.B.F. (c) AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine

Lawrence's 1913 classic, widely censored in its time but pretty tame today, portrays in astonishing depth the relationship between Paul Morel and his overly doting mother, herself trapped in a loveless marriage. Though Paul falls in love with women his own age, it is his mother whom he really loves, emotionally and psychologically, if not physically, and who poisons these other relationships until her death. Reader Jenny Sterlin is special, consistently on target with character differentiation according to education and status, poignant, dramatic, eager, and able to tell this fine story in a fine manner. Listeners who have yet to hear this story should rush to get it. T.H. (c) AudioFile 2003, Portland, Maine

Lawrence's first major novel is unstintingly, passionately autobiographical. Set in a Nottinghamshire mining town, it concerns the high-minded wife of a brutal miner who puts all hopes into her artistic son, Paul. Copley brings the workingclass milieu to life. His north country accent enhances the author's regional "sound," which may not be apparent on the page to American readers, but which is a prominent feature of the book's aesthetic. By shaving off a bit too much of the color, the abridgment reinforces the novel's starkness. Therefore, one should hear this recording before, not instead of, reading the full work. Y.R. (c)AudioFile, Portland, Maine

The joy and hope with which Gertrude Morel begins her marriage quickly deteriorates into anger and disillusionment, then blossoms again years later with the growth of her children. Paul Slack's understated performance showcases Lawrence's brilliant use of irony and his masterful portrayal of the Morel family. The production's low volume at the beginning of the book will have some listeners reaching for the volume control, but one soon becomes accustomed to the somber tone. While Slack lightens his voice for female characters and roughens it for some of the men, the effect is always minimal, staying out of the way of the story itself. Some works may be enhanced by an audio performance, but transparency works better for this one, and Slack achieves exactly that. R.L.L. (c) AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine

SONS AND LOVERS, published in 1913, was Lawrence's first great novel, and its richly drawn characters are magnificently brought to life in this production. Though this is his first audiobook, narrator Paul Slack reads with flawless composure, subtly adjusting his resonant voice for each member of the Morel family and their circle. He is suitably gruff as a coal miner yet movingly tender as he relates the final hours of Gertrude Morel, a scene based on the death of Lawrence's own mother. He's also convincing in his handling of the East Midlands dialect the author slips into the dialogue. A simply outstanding performance by Slack; one hopes it is the start of a long career as a narrator. D.B. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award (c) AudioFile 2009, Portland, Maine

Helen Lloyd's masterful narration evokes the honest emotion of D.H. Lawrence's haunting prose in SONS AND LOVERS. The novel centers on Mrs. Morel's domineering hold on her two sons' affections and their subsequent struggles to establish strong relationships with women. Lloyd's gentle cadence moves the plot forward with grace and ease, and her attention to the characters' local dialects is equally convincing. The Morel family lives in a poor mining community in Nottinghamshire, and Lloyd immediately captures William's boyhood voice as he talks to his mother about the fair. She also clearly depicts the younger brother, Paul, as an intense young man full of turmoil. Through her compelling performance, Lloyd draws listeners into the complex minds of Lawrence's characters. D.M.W. © AudioFile 2024, Portland, Maine