The Letters of D. H. Lawrence Volume 2 - Essential Letters 1913-1916

In this review of The Letters of D. H. Lawrence (Volume II), the book is recommended for readers who want a close, chronological view of Lawrence's life and work during a crucial creative period. The edition presents more than 700 letters from June 1913 to October 1916, documenting the public reception of Sons and Lovers, the writing of The Rainbow and Women in Love, and Lawrence's vivid responses to the outbreak of the War. This volume's editorial context and previously unpublished material make it the single best source for scholars and serious readers seeking primary evidence of Lawrence's evolving literary life.

Key Features

• Extensive correspondence: Over 700 letters give a thorough, day-to-day sense of Lawrence's activities, thoughts and reactions across three pivotal years.
• Documented literary development: Letters trace the transition from Sons and Lovers through work on The Sisters, The Rainbow and the first manuscript of Women in Love.
• Historical perspective: Lawrence's responses to the outbreak of the War are recorded in real time, offering immediate personal and cultural context for readers.
• Editorial scholarship: The editors' introduction situates these letters within Lawrence's widening literary life and later isolation in Cornwall, clarifying significance for researchers.
• New material: Over two hundred previously unpublished letters expand the available manuscript record and provide fresh primary-source evidence.

Who It's For

The Letters of D. H. Lawrence Volume II is best for literature students, biographers and researchers who need primary documents that illuminate Lawrence's methods, relationships and reactions between 1913 and 1916. The book also suits devoted readers of Lawrence who want to follow creative decisions and personal responses in his own words.

Readers seeking a brief introduction to Lawrence or a light overview of his fiction should look elsewhere; this volume is dense and archival in focus rather than a reader-friendly biography or single-author essay collection.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Substantial archival value with more than 700 letters covering a decisive period in Lawrence's career.
• Over two hundred previously unpublished letters add new material for scholarship and biography.
• The editors' introduction provides helpful context linking these letters to Lawrence's later life and seclusion in Cornwall.
• Vivid firsthand accounts of the cultural impact of Sons and Lovers and the effects of the War on Lawrence's life.

Cons

• The dense editorial presentation and volume size may be daunting for casual readers seeking a short narrative.

Specifications

Title	The Letters of D. H. Lawrence (Volume II)
Coverage dates	June 1913 to October 1916
Number of letters	More than 700 letters
New material	Over two hundred previously unpublished letters
Editors / Contributors	George J. Zytaruk, James T. Boulton (edition)
Notable content	Reception of Sons and Lovers; first manuscript of Women in Love; reactions to the War

Our Verdict

This volume is an indispensable research resource and a rewarding primary-source reading experience for serious students and enthusiasts of D. H. Lawrence; its wealth of letters and unpublished material justify its value, though casual readers may prefer a shorter biographical account.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this volume include unpublished letters?
Yes, the edition contains over two hundred previously unpublished letters, expanding the manuscript record.

What time period do the letters cover?
The letters span from June 1913 through October 1916, covering key developments in Lawrence's writing and life.

Is there editorial commentary?
Yes, the editors provide an introduction that situates the letters within Lawrence's widening literary life and later isolation in Cornwall.