About this title: Set in Victorian England, Fowles' novel revolves around three characters: Ernestina (the daughter of a wealthy industrialist), Charles (a prosperous amateur scientist), and Sarah. Although engaged to marry Ernestina, Charles becomes obsessed with Sarah, whose mysterious past and scandalous reputation as "the French Lieutenant's woman" make her a social outcast.
Note: This is a general synopsis. Each listing is described below.
"Wow. Wonderful. The traditional, romantic aspects of this story are what hooked me--bereft young woman turns the head of a more-or-less conventional, and engaged, young man in 1860s England and drama ensues. The novel can certainly be read on that level, but more than that, it is really the story of a change of era, from Victorian to modern, and how this passage is reflected in one man's personal transformation. Readers who enjoy classic fiction will appreciate this best, as the story unfolds leisurely and there are frequent ruminations on class structure, evolution, emotion, via the interruptions by the narrator/author. It is, by turns, funny, shocking, confusing, and you can basically choose your own ending (the author provides two). Be prepared to be confused as to the true nature of the lady described as "the French lieutenant's woman," since you will only ever get to see her through the eyes of the men in the story, but perhaps, that is the point."
"Intelligent - Its an unapologetic account of a journey in self-awareness...{most often than not when you break away from established norms even in very little ways one becomes an outcast}. The story is poignant, the characters are so very real; for a whole week it felt like I was somewhere there in the 19th century with Charles and Sarah. The author's deep portrayal of the Victorian mind-set and ways; Charles struggle to lead a honest life, Sarah's immense strength and the author's seemingly unrestricted handling of his characters' minds as they go through their struggles without constraining them within the boundary of a plot: a story of love, self-awareness, truth and courage - Its a story that I will remember for a long while; especially the conflicting feeling of liberation and delayed acceptance on the way the story concludes."
"Ideally I would give this 3.5 rather than 3 stars -- I quite liked it, but I did not sympathise with the "French Lieutenant's Woman" at all. I would not call her an "enigmatic character" in the slightest - to me she hoondwinked an, albeit pompous, rather naive man. Yes, it is to some degree his fault. But I see nothing laudable in her actions or her desire to "suffer" and "Be an outsider," as it seems that she is doing so merely for the sake of it.
I know some may say I did not read into the book closely enough and criticise me for this view, but in this way i am glad to be an "outsider." The harsh truth is that we have to know duty to know freedom, and once we are set upon a course of boundless freedom, all we crave is guidance. Fowles expressed this very well via this novel, in a manner that was simultaneously humourous and poignant.
I am not going to say more as I do not wish to "spoil" this review/comment."
"This is not what you think it is! ...but go ahead and let the book blindside you for the full effect.
People would ask me what I was reading, and I respond with a typical "oh, it's about a young gentleman who begins to reconsider approaching marriage when he notices a forlorn young woman who wanders the beach, pining for her lost lover..." And person who had posed the question would say "how nice." NO! This book has nothing to do the gentle, romantic, Victorian plot, setting, and mood that the author so carefully crafts before...well...you'll just have to read it to get the full effect, as I said. I suspect i was lulled into an unsuspecting state by trying to focus on the plot of the story, and I honestly still haven't sorted the ending out. If there's an answer to the mystery of the French Lieutenant's woman, I completely missed it. A mind-blowing, if frustrating reading experience."
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