68 pages • 2 hours read
The French Lieutenant's Woman
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Book Brief
467
Novel • Fiction
Lyme Regis, England • 1860s
1969
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
The French Lieutenant’s Woman by John Fowles is a postmodern exploration of Victorian society, focusing on Charles Smithson, an aristocrat in Lyme Regis. He is engaged to Ernestina Freeman but becomes fascinated with Sarah Woodruff, a woman ostracized due to a scandalous past involving a French lieutenant. The novel examines Charles's internal conflict and societal pressures, leading to multiple possible endings.
Mysterious
Bittersweet
Contemplative
Melancholic
Reviews & Readership
55,180 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
John Fowles' The French Lieutenant's Woman is praised for its innovative narrative techniques and richly detailed Victorian setting. Critics admire its metafictional elements and in-depth character development. However, some find its experimental style challenging and its multiple endings confusing. Overall, it is a thought-provoking and engaging read.
Who Should Read The French Lieutenant's Woman?
A reader who enjoys The French Lieutenant's Woman by John Fowles likely appreciates intricate narratives, rich character development, and historical settings. Fans of novels like Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë or Possession by A.S. Byatt will find similar pleasures in Fowles' blend of Victorian themes and modernist techniques.
55,180 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
467
Novel • Fiction
Lyme Regis, England • 1860s
1969
Adult
18+ years
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