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.

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.

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

John Fowles

Adult

Novel

Fiction

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The French Lieutenant's Woman Summary

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The French Lieutenant's Woman Background

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Chapters 1-12

The French Lieutenant's Woman Chapters 1-12 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 13-24

The French Lieutenant's Woman Chapters 13-24 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 25-36

The French Lieutenant's Woman Chapters 25-36 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 37-48

The French Lieutenant's Woman Chapters 37-48 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 49-61

The French Lieutenant's Woman Chapters 49-61 Summary & Analysis

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The French Lieutenant's Woman Character Analysis

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The French Lieutenant's Woman

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