Customer Reviews

The Lost Girl

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I recently got done reading this wonderful, yet forgotten novel of Lawrence's. Truly compelling in it's intricate details of a young woman trying to find herself. Literally. She goes on the 'universal' self journey and discovers that she was lost and finally finds her identity and sensuality in the man she loves. D.H. Lawrence has a wonderful way of not wrapping up the ending in a nice,neat little package. As always, Lawrence is the ultimate man of mystery, sensual needs and desires. A "must read" for those who love to read Lawrence and for those who never have!

This book was given to me on the last day of High School in 1972 by a girl friend. I've kept this book ever since and it ranks up there with my all time favorite books even though I agree with one other reviewer that this is not the best example of Lawrence's work. However, with that said, this book also has a heart and tenderness that really meant something to me. I'm amazed no one has ever written a screenplay of this work since it's worth it. It was the only book Lawrence ever won a prize for, which says something about it. Take a chance and read it.

Just like SISTER CARRIE, THE LOST GIRL is about a young woman searching for her place in the world. Meaning, floucing from one man to another, flirting, playing, getting engaged then dashing away for fun. And just like JEANNIE GERHARDT, this old man gets herself in trouble.

But the most fascinating part of this book is it's glimps into her background. How she was brought up in a wealthy and rich household, only to try out different occupations against her father's wishes, then ends up as a lower classed female in life. Very tragic.

After plowing through a couple of his novels, I think it's fair to say that I am not a fan of D.H. Lawrence. In some sense, I see his appeal. Certainly, it is easy to see how his frankness about things sexual--not just in physical descriptions but in the emotional and intellectual impact of sexual relations--made him controversial during his time. And, in fact, his mourning over the things lost to industrial advancement and the Great War still resonates. On the other hand, his characters too often do not do justice to his themes. Lady Chatterley and Mellors are brilliant characters when they speak like humans and not mouthpieces for Lawrence's philosophy.

On the other hand, Alvina Houghton, the title character of this novel, is too much of a cipher for her to be useful as a protagonist. Alvina is "lost" throughout the novel. First, as the forgotten daughter of a foolish father. Second, as a young woman headed to "old maid-hood" through her twenties and into her thirties. Finally, as a new, pregnant wife in her thirties left in a small Italian town as her Italian husband goes off to fight in the war.

The problem is, the motivations for her choices are next to impossible to understand. She fears being an old maid but rejects suitors for reasons that are not clear. After the death of her father, she runs away with a traveling theatre troupe because she's attracted to the Italian actor. She gives herself to him but then runs away to a safe job as a nurse where she becomes engaged to a doctor who worships her in his way. Then, she runs away again with the Italian. It is all plot and no character substance.

This is one of Lawrence's early novels and in some ways is more readable than his masterpiece, Lady Chatterley's Lover. The story charges along easily without the thematic depth of Chatterley. It's easy enough to get through. On the other hand, this is a classic example of a novel that would be out-of-print if the author were not famous for other things.

I really loved reading this book (on my Nook) with Norah Jones playing in the background. It's a really tragic and romantic love story without being too...gushy. I admit that the ending was abrupt, a bit jarring. But, by the end of the story you will (probably) be happy anyway.

My only complaint was that Alvina sometimes behaves sporadically, and Cicchio is unpredictable. I found that Simone de Beauvoir explained D.H. Lawrence's style well in "The Second Sex." It would be helpful to read that first to understand Lawrence and why his characters (particularly Alvina) behaves the way she does.

This book was beautifully and passionately written. It is a love story unique and philosophical. Do we choose our own fates? Alvina will tell you.