Heartlands
A Guide to D.H. Lawrence’s Midlands
Roots
Eighty
years after his death D.H. Lawrence has become a celebrity, the subject of
passionate dispute, possibly more discussed than read. It is time to put the
emphasis back on the novels and short stories, by exploring the context that
led to their creation - Lawrence’s upbringing and influences.
Although he
led a wandering life, Lawrence’s best work is located in the countryside of his
youth, in Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire. An understanding of this district can
help readers understand and enjoy Lawrence’s work more fully, and this book
aims to guide the visitor, either in person or in spirit, around Lawrence’s
‘Heartlands’.
Heartlands also provides the reader with a
biography of Lawrence’s early life, and examines the complex cultural forces
that inspired the young man, revealing the profound influences of home, school and
chapel in Eastwood that led to such masterpieces as The Rainbow and Women in Love.
Five key
areas are examined in detail, with maps and illustrations:
·
Eastwood
and Brinsley
·
Moorgreen
and Greasley
·
Cossall
·
Nottingham
·
Derbyshire
The role of
walking in developing Lawrence’s feelings for his ‘Heartlands’ is also explored,
and five walks which are described in Sons
and Lovers are followed in the modern context, illustrating some of the
changes that have affected the district in the past century.
The Authors first met in the 1960s as pupils at
Nottingham High School for Boys, which was Lawrence’s old school, although this
connection was rarely mentioned at the time.
Stephen Bailey taught English to international
students for many years, in Barcelona, Tokyo, London and Prague. He is the
author of Academic Writing: A Handbook
for International Students, Academic Writing for International Students of
Business, and more locally, The
Derbyshire Portway. He lives in Whatstandwell with his wife and daughter.
Chris Nottingham is Emeritus Reader in Contemporary
History at Glasgow Caledonian University. He is the author of The Pursuit of Serenity: Havelock Ellis and
the New Politics and he writes mainly on the history of health and welfare.
He lives in Ilkley with his wife and their well-behaved labrador.
Our book is a guide to this district, and these pages give a taste of the contents. The posts on our blog provide extra insights into some places that were important to his development.
Use the 'Pages' links (top right) to see the contents of the book, to read excerpts from Chapters 1 & 4 and to order the book for £9.75, including postage.
