ALASTAIR NIVEN Lawrence's view of politics, concluding D. H. Lawrence: The Novels that Lawrence flirted with authoritarianism only to abhor it later as he would have Cambridge: Cambridge University abhorred the fascist governments of Press, 1978. Pp. 188. $5.95; Europe, had he lived to see them. Through­ $16.95. out these "travel" novels, Lawrence explores new values and searches for a vital mode of existence to replace the sterility of modern life. In the last.chapter, Niven points to Niven's study of Lawrence's novels similarities in theme and setting between provides an excellent introduction to and Lady Chatterley's Lover, Lawrence as an artist and as a thinker. and this comparison with the first novel is a Although the main focus is on the novels useful measure to assess Lawrence's artistic themselves, on an analysis of language, development. imagery, and themes, Niven also discusses Lawrence's letters since he believes that This series on British authors, of which they are essential for throwing light on this study is a part, wishes to promote an Lawrence's mood and on his purposes. increase "in the reading, with enjoyment Where appropriate, he considers the and understanding, of the great works of essays and short stories, showing cross­ English literature." This study definitely currents between the shorter fiction and the fulfills this goal in respect to Lawrence. novels. The chronological format of the Niven's style is refreshingly lively and the study gives valuable insights into Law­ book spurs the reader on to become more rence's development. familiar with Lawrence's works.

With the exception of the first two versions of Lady Chatterley's Lover and of Jenny Michaels The Boy in the Bush, all the novels are represented at length here. The longest section deals with and , the centerpieces of Lawrence's art. Particularly useful is the much needed reassessment of Lawrence's more neglected novels. Niven stresses their importance in Lawrence's overall development as well as BARD H. BARKER, ED. their intrinsic value as novels, despite their Emile Zola: Correspondance, I shortcomings. In his chapter on The White (1858-1867) Peacock, for example, Niven shows the Montreal: Les Presses de l'Uni­ important links between Lawrence's first novel and the mature novels yet argues versité de Montréal and Les convincingly that this novel has a sturdy Editions du Centre National de la independence of its own. In his essay on Recherche Scientifique, 1978. , Niven criticizes the lack of Pp. 594. $40.00 consistency in the novel but argues that it is a watershed in Lawrence's development since it shows him wrestling with the new discoveries of beginning maturity. This is the first volume of a great edition which will reach ten volumes and According to Niven, the "travel" novels which will require more than a decade to show Lawrence struggling with new direc­ complete; it will contain a very high per­ tions in his art. In , Lawrence's centage of the letters Zola wrote between scrutiny of provincial morality soon changes 1858 and the year of his death, 1902. It into a sexual and metaphysical psychology promises to be far more than the usual that goes far beyond his models of Bennett edition of a correspondence: like the and Galsworthy. The sense of unrooted- epoch-making edition of Zola's Oeuvres ness in Aaron's Rod reflects Lawrence's own complètes by Henri Mitterand for the restlessness and despair and depicts the Cercle du Livre Précieux, it will aim at purposelessness of the world as Lawrence being as complete as any such publication perceived it then. Above all, Niven urges can ever be. Not only will it contain most a reassessment of , arguing that of Zola's letters, but, in addition the editors this novel has more unity than critics have aim to produce something very much like generally recognized. He also discusses an encyclopedia of material surrounding

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