The French Lieutenant's Woman - John Fowles

Advantages: An exciting and intriguing story with superb twists and turns
Disadvantages: Some readers may not enjoy the long sections of poetry

...in your mouth" finale. Many writers work entirely within one style, but here the author blends a mixture of styles and genres effortlessly and seamlessly to join this patchwork of eras and threads of different plots. The book reminded me a little of the film version of John Fowles's "The French Lieutenant's Woman" in which Meryl Streep and Jeremy Irons play actors who are taking the lead roles in a film of "The French Lieutenant's Woman". In "Possession" Byatt uses the plot of Roland and Maud as a vehicle for the telling of the Victorian love story. I think that the story of Ash and Lamotte could stand alone, but if it did it woould not appeal much to me. I think that using the modern day couple to unearth the story of the nineteenth century romance, brings accessibility to the older story. At a shade over 500 pages, this is a serious reader... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Well written, unpredictable, thrilling narrative
Disadvantages: Elaborate style might put some off

...into a seductive world of truth, lies and illusion. WHAT'S IT ALL ABOUT? John Fowles is the ultimate literary trickster, I suppose more than anyone else he is 'The Magus' (or magician) of the title, he knows how to take his readers and tease them into a story then just as we begin to feel comfortable he changes the rules and destroys the comfortable imaginary world that he has created. Like many of his other novels and short stories The Collector, The French Lieutenant's Woman and 'The Ebony Tower', Fowles has always like to play with the accepted conventions of the narrative style. Time is distorted, reality is questioned and generally the reader is kept very much on his/her toes. In Nicholas he gives us the classic anti-hero, the loveable rogue that whilst not being evil in nature shows little or no moral respect for those around him. I suppose... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: different from all of his other works
Disadvantages: a bit short

...This is a well structured short story. Its particular intention seems to be to give a sense of an isolated interlude in one man’s life. David Williams, a young mildly successful painter and art critic visits the fierce old Bohemian, Henry Breasley, an artist of much superior powers. An ageing Don Juan, he still has two young girls living with him in his French retreat. He is crude, tyrannical and opinionated but also a genius and, at least at heart, vulnerable. All that Williams has in common is the essential vulnerability. However Williams’ brief stay with Breasley and his unsatisfactory relationship with one of the girls leaves Williams feeling an also-ran both as a man and an artist. Once again Fowles writes a totally different novel in content from his previous works while retaining his enviable vivid characterisation and lucid... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful