The Virgin and the Gypsy

by D. H. Lawrence Narrated by Peter Joyce

Overview

Written in 1926...and published posthumously [without the authors customary revision] in 1930, The Virgin and the Gypsy is a minor masterpiece in short story writing. It provides an excellent introduction to Lawrence's work, being a succinct distillation of his ideas about sexuality and its ability to transcend class barriers.

Yvette and her sister Lucille come back from finishing school in Lausanne with a much broader outlook on life than the inhabitants of the cloistered world to which they return. Their mother left their father for another man leaving a pall of sterility in his newly gathered family: Uncle Fred, Aunt Cissie and Granny - the `Mater' Stifled by the rigidity of life in the rectory in this small village in the East Midlands-a microcosm of established Christian belief the type of which Lawrence despised-Yvette finds herself drawn to a passing gypsy and her `budding flower' is awakened by his interest.

In a torrential climax which symbolically sweeps away her old life she comes to fully realise and accept her sexual identity.

©2010 Assembled Stories (P)2013 Assembled Stories

Editorial Reviews

NOVEMBER 2011 - AudioFile

Georgina Sutton delivers the story of the virgin daughter of a vicar and her fascinating romantic entanglement with a gypsy in East Midlands, England. Set after WWI, the story recounts the events of daily life in the rectory, where all action is stifled by the mores of the day. Sutton flawlessly describes how Yvette, traveling throughout the countryside, comes across a gypsy camp, full of colorful, warm free spirits. One of them in particular catches her eye. Sutton’s subtle reading of Lawrence’s character studies—especially her portrait of Yvette’s longing for love—draws the listener into this story of self-discovery. M.B.K. © AudioFile 2011, Portland, Maine

Product Details

BN ID:	2940171576028
Publisher:	Assembled Stories
Publication date:	02/26/2010
Edition description:	Unabridged

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