Reclaiming D. H. Lawrence

By Gary Adelman

Subjects: Criticism and interpretation, Lawrence, d. h. (david herbert), 1885-1930, English literature, history and criticism, Influence

Description: "Puzzled by the catastrophic decline of D. H. Lawrence's reputation in academe, and by the anger of students toward Lawrence and his work, Gary Adelman wrote to dozens of working writers to learn their opinions of Lawrence. Over a hundred poets and novelists responded. Their overwhelming gratitude and debt to Lawrence as a precursor and literary giant illustrate the difference between the ways writers and academic critics read and think about literature. Prior to the mid-eighties, Lawrence sat in the same pantheon as Joyce and Eliot. Due to gender politics and the rise of political correctness, as well as to Lawrence's vulnerability on the issue of fascism, he was virtually pushed off the syllabus at most major English and American universities. He became passe in academia, only present as an absence or as a distasteful caricature."--BOOK JACKET.