Sons and Lovers (Readings Classics)

Paul Morel is a sensitive young artist who grew up in a working-class family dominated by his strong-willed mother, Gertrude. Trapped between loyalty to her and his desire for independence, Paul struggles to form lasting relationships. His bond with childhood friend Miriam is intense but emotionally stifling, while his affair with the passionate Clara offers freedom but no peace. As his mother’s health declines, her emotional hold tightens, blurring Paul’s sense of self. Grief, guilt, and desire collide and it becomes increasingly harder for Paul to choose his path.
Through richly drawn characters and evocative prose, Lawrence delves into themes of class, masculinity, and the psychological weight of family expectations. Sons and Lovers is not just a portrait of a young man’s growth, but a timeless study of the human heart caught between love, guilt, and the desire for self-realization.