Spanning over a period of sixty-five years, from the 1840s to 1905, The
Rainbow by D.H Lawrence follows three generations of the Brangwen
family, mapping the change in their romantic relationships amid the
industrialization of Great Britain. Their story begins when Tom Brangwen
meets a Polish widow named Lydia. The two soon fall in love and get
married, though they find that their cultural differences cause more
issues than they imagined. Due to a cultural and language barrier, Lydia
and Tom find it difficult to connect to one another, but they stay
persistent and remain together regardless. Since Lydia had a child with
her late husband, Tom adopted her daughter, Anna, as one of his own.
When Anna gets married, she and her husband Will shift the focus to
their romance, which begins as an innocent and happy affair. During the
early phases of their relationship and marriage, Anna and Will were
wrapped up into each other, unaware of anything else except for their
love. But this romantic daze cannot last for forever. Anna soon returns
to reality, much quicker than Will, which causes a rift in their
relationship, especially when they have children. Their youngest
daughter, Ursula, is able to live more freely than any of the other
Brangwen's. Though she feels the societal pressure that is forced upon
her as a woman, Ursula is more concerned with being independent and
happy. She is passionate and sensual, seeking out many romantic
relationships, including one with her female schoolteacher. But as she
grows older, she meets a sweet British solider named Anton. The two
remain in an extended and happy relationship, but as the possibility of
marriage grows near, Ursula must decide if she feels ready to make such
as commitment, or if she ever even wants to be a married woman.
Presented in sensual and emotional prose, D.H Lawrence's The Rainbow
effortlessly tackles taboo topics and complex protagonists. With themes
of feminism, family, love, homosexuality, and religious rebellion, The
Rainbow has invited controversy since the first year it was published,
leading it to be banned in Great Britain. Modern readers can now enjoy
what the original audience was scandalized by, divulging in a rich
storyline of complicated love affairs. This edition of The Rainbow by
D.H Lawrence features a new, eye-catching cover design and is printed in
a font that is both readable and modern.
