There hasn't been much written about this book in particular, though there has been much said in the past about D.H. Lawrence. The author of this biography, Richard Aldington, was a very close friend and associate of Lawrence. They reportedly had their ups and downs as happens in any relationship, especially one with such a temperamental and sensitive man as Lawrence involved. This by far is the very best of the biographies I have read about Lawrence, and it was written in a professional tone, respectful of the artist Lawrence was, but mindful that the truth must be told even if not always elaborately flaunting its star with praise. There is no doubt that Aldington recognized the genius of D.H. Lawrence but as the title says, But...
In other books studying this fantastic and infamous literary subject more focus is placed on the adulterous and often violent marital relationship between the couple Frieda and D.H. Lawrence. Richard Aldington rarely goes there, and really not at all except for the occasional outburst displayed by the genius in his agony with the world and his awful life-long lung disease. For the most part of Lawrence's life he suffered from this disease and continued in the face of any opposition to him to operate under the strictest denial system most who knew him had ever seen. The biography was basically a chronological report of the life of D.H. Lawrence, but it was written by a man who actually knew him quite well. The tone was high-minded and sounded fair all the way through, and never once did I feel Aldington was building him up or taking liberties in order to lessen the life work of his friend. It was a fitting tribute and lucky for our memories as well as the dead Lawrence that this book was written on his behalf.
In one of his letters to Aldington Lawrence writes, "___I never knew a man who seemed to be living from a character not his own, than you." In the same letter Lawrence said he felt the conscience of Aldington was not indicative of his behavior and he also felt Aldington wrote like he was Lawrence's grandmother. I do know from Brenda Maddox's account that Aldington had a mistress and brought her around with him when visiting his friend Lawrence. Aldington supposedly enjoyed sunbathing in the nude with her, as well as the occasional public and openly nude frolic on the beach. My guess is Lawrence was a little jealous of his friend's comfort with his own body and his sexuality, and Lawrence was forever and most likely rarely exact in expressing himself, at least sexually, in a group. I would also hazard a guess that Lawrence had to find his only opening into being the one on top in this relationship and find some little criticism of Aldington to bring him down to a size Lawrence could still manage and remain being friends with. It is obvious to me that Aldington carried no grudge against his friend for his sometimes erratic and awful behavior, and remained true to his belief throughout the book that Lawrence was indeed a special and important artist and one of the best to come out of England in quite some time.
Two years before Lawrence died Aldington offered to lend him some money when he had heard that his friend's health was getting worse and that he was down and out in his publishing and legal woes. But Lawrence answered Aldington's offer with words to the effect that he wasn't that bad off, and if he was, he would go after fobs who were richer than Aldington was anyway. Until the dying end Aldington remained a steadfast friend to D.H. Lawrence. He offered Lawrence a home on the sea to live in during the last full winter of his life. Though Lawrence was late in arriving he finally did, and if my memory serves his health deteriorated to the point they had to evacuate Lawrence by boat and train so he could be properly attended to by a qualified physician. Aldington spared no amount of time and effort to help his friend in need. Having written an honest and respectful book about him is not out of character for Aldington who was a proper Englishman in the society of elitists who always appeared upright and dignified. But the words ring true in this biography and the book is more than honorable. It is surprising to discover in biographies online that Aldington was at the time of this book's publication accused of making a "venomous attack upon Lawrence's reputation". In my opinion there is nothing in the book mean-spirited or unkind.
It is difficult to write about this life and work of D.H. Lawrence. There is so much I have read in the nonfiction works of Lawrence as well as the biographical works available. The letters of D.H. Lawrence prove invaluable when a confirmation of attitude and specific remarks on subjects are required. It is my opinion that my answers are to eventually be found in the fiction of D.H. Lawrence as the segments exposed in the nonfiction works and letters are a controlled and political revealing of only what Lawrence desired his readers to see of himself. In the fiction, Lawrence was able to explore more honestly the subjects that really interested him, hiding behind names of fictitious characters based on real people. In my mind it is his fantasy life at work. And playing out scenes outside of ones head is far more constructive than harboring these thoughts and ideas inside, alone, and without the push back necessary from loved ones and those relationships you subject yourself in jeopardy with. When we take a quick look at the Lawrence fiction, and I admit to never reading any of it but a few sexy passages from his Lady Chatterley's Lover, then it is revealing to me that his main subject was sex, relationships, and sexuality. There was little of this mentioned in Aldington's portrayal, and I think that belies the point of his biography. Aldington presented to us a gifted literary man who was a difficult human being in which to be friends, and especially be intimate with. But the focus on Lawrence for Aldington was literary and professional, and the steamy side of the life of Lawrence was left to Brenda Maddox in her biography D.H. Lawrence, where she presents this to us in light of her own peril from loyal Lawrence protectors. I am not satisfied at all with what I have learned thus far about the man, his work, and his lovers. Aldington's portrait was interesting, but there is definitely something missing in this life chronicle.
Product details
- ASIN : B001OWF396
- Publisher : Collier Books (January 1, 1950)
- Language : English
- Item Weight : 1 pounds
