John Fowles

The French Lieutenant's Woman (Vintage Classics)

An epic love story of two people of insight and imagination seeking escape from the cant and tyranny of their age. To the last detail of dress, idiom and manners, John Fowles immaculately recreates Victorian England in the greatest of his novels, which has been the subject of universal acclaim since its first publication.

The French Lieutenant's Woman

Melody Izard

You can simply read this book as a novel – but it will possibly frustrate you and have you wondering what the heck Sarah’s motives were and how in tarnation the book ends; because this is a novel about the craft of writing and it’s not necessarily a tale for your enjoyment. It is a Victorian novel written in the 60s. Sarah, or the “French Lieutenant’s Woman”, however, is a 20th century woman. The things she does and the decisions she makes are those of a 20th century character existing in a Victorian landscape. The narrator is also from the 20th century – and makes anachronistic observations throughout the telling. The writer even makes an appearance as a character in the end – when he offers 3 possible endings – one, the type of ending that would be expected if it were completely in Victorian times – and the other two as options depending on how “evolved” Sarah’s character became by the end of the novel. Enjoyable on your own, but much better understood and appreciated if you can discuss with others after reading.

Neeti Choudhari

First of all, what a beautiful cover. 

I think the book is a genius work of postmodern techniques. It starts as a common Victorian Fiction, but with the debates around science, religion, it moves away and ends up critiquing the era and realist literature. I feel like it becomes a parody. The multiple endings, the characterization, the narrator techniques, the intertextuality - can it get better than this?

Iva Tsenova

Ioana Kardos

Nicolás Niño 

Irene Alegre

Eloise

Set in Lyme Regis in 1867, 'The French Lieutenant's Woman' tells the story of a woman wronged, depicted against an unrelenting Victorian England.

Emmett

Kathy Rodger 

Savas Yazici

Luke Pearce

Jane McCullough

lizbet koval

alex

Stefanie 

Moray Lyle McIntosh

Paulina 

Eleanor 

Lucy Hacker

Charles Smithson, a respectable engaged man, meets Sarah Woodruff as she stands on the Cobb at Lyme Regis, staring out to sea. Charles falls in love, but Sarah is a digraced woman, and their romance will defy all the stifling conventions of the Victorian age. Meryl Streep received her third Oscar nomination for her portrayal of Sarah in the 1981 film, which was adapted for the screen by Harold Pinter.

Lisa Miller

Nona G

Charles Smithson, a conventional young scientist, breaks his proper Victorian engagement upon becoming involved with the devastating Sarah Woodruff, whom the townspeople have linked with scandal and forbidden pleasures

Andrea Henderson

Tawnya Christensen

Catherine Boys

The French Lieutenant's Woman (Vintage Classics)

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